PriEco-DRL: Joint Optimization of Electric-Bus Eco-Driving and Transit-Priority Adaptive Signals via Deep Reinforcement Learning

Abstract

Urban transit electrification requires balancing energy efficiency, schedule reliability, and ride comfort for electric buses (EBs), particularly when interacting with transit-priority adaptive signals in congested networks. This paper proposes PriEco-DRL, a joint optimization framework that integrates EB eco-driving with transit-priority adaptive signal control using deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The signal layer employs a priority-weighted max-pressure (Priority-MP) controller to allocate green time based on occupancy-aware pressures, while the vehicle layer adapts longitudinal control based on uncertain and dynamically evolving local signal cues. A structured reward combines guidance and event-based reinforcement to align EB arrivals with green opportunities while considering energy, time, comfort, and safety. The framework uses centralized training and decentralized execution (CTDE) with parameter sharing, allowing a single DRL agent to learn from multiple buses and routes using local observations. Experiments on a real-world corridor show that PriEco-DRL reduces EB energy consumption while maintaining network efficiency and transit priority compared with fixed-time, actuated, and rule-based signal-vehicle coordination baselines. Energy- and trajectory-based analyses reveal that the improvements stem from fewer unscheduled stop-start events and smoother speed regulation under adaptive signals. The results highlight a tunable energy-time trade-off, allowing flexible operational choices through reward weighting.