Communication Optimization for Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning-based Traffic Control System with Explainable Protocol

This article studies the challenges of multi-agent traffic control systems with a specific focus on the feasibility of communication protocols. We present an innovative approach for optimizing communication in large-scale traffic control systems. In the context of ramp metering coordination, we design and analyze the proposed communication protocols. The first protocol operates without explicit semantic interpretation, providing a baseline for performance. The second builds on the concept of advantageous directions, integrating semantic meaning into communication for enhanced explainability. Comparative results show that our proposed system outperforms the ALINEA algorithm under both protocols. Despite the slightly superior performance of the non-semantic protocol, the advantageous direction protocol yields more interpretable and meaningful results, thereby underscoring the crucial role of explainability in deep learning models. Our approach offers novel insights for the development of interpretable machine learningbased traffic control algorithms. The broader implication of this study emphasizes the importance of addressing communication feasibility in large-scale traffic control systems, illuminating the path toward more efficient, scalable traffic control solutions.