Initial Investigation for Traffic Monitoring Equipment Evaluation Facility

Initial Investigation for Traffic Monitoring Equipment Evaluation Facility
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2004
Genre: Traffic flow
ISBN:

This project investigated funding sources, design options, and viable locations for a traffic monitoring equipment evaluation facility. The project provided research and development to design a generic facility to evaluate traffic data collection equipment and sensors and perform traffic data collection research. This report covers the first 9 months of this 2-year project, identifying potential funding sources and candidate sites for further consideration.

State of the Art Evaluation of Traffic Detection and Monitoring Systems

State of the Art Evaluation of Traffic Detection and Monitoring Systems
Author: Dan Middleton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 134
Release: 2007
Genre: Traffic monitoring
ISBN:

This report covers the Phase A and B activities of Research Project SPR 627 for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Phase C is planned as a separate research activity and is anticipated to begin in the near term, following the completion of Phases A and B. The need for a better valuation program for new traffic detection systems came in part from a lack of confidence in existing detectors, as well as the need for non-intrusive detectors to replace failing embedded inductive loops. The primary objectives of this research were to identify the most promising vehicle detection technologies to meet ADOT needs, to identify candidate test sites, to develop a field test evaluation plan, and to develop and deliver a detailed design of the detection testbed on the selected segment of freeway. The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) met these objectives through an Internet and literature search, a state-of-the-practice review, a search of relevant new detector systems, and through meetings with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Relying on TAC input, TTI developed first a conceptual design, followed by a detailed design and budget for a proposed test facility located on I-10 in Phoenix just west of the 16th Street interchange. Detectors selected for test in the initial period of 12-plus months during Phase C (and the technology used) are as follows: Wavetronix SS-125 (microwave radar), Sensys Networks (magnetic), Global Traffic Technologies microloops (magnetic) and Autoscope Solo Pro (video imaging). The baseline system selected for providing ground truth data is the Peek ADR-6000 using inductive signatures as its basis of detection. It is anticipated that this Phase C testing will include two summer seasons to expose selected detectors to the extreme heat and related environmental conditions found in the Phoenix. The initial cost of the testbed will include detectors sufficient to ultimately cover eight lanes in the westbound direction (currently seven lanes) and six lanes in the eastbound direction. Besides the detectors, the total cost estimate includes a 12 ft by 12 ft node building, three equipment cabinets, inductive loops for the baseline system, conduit, and boring. The total cost of the facility is estimated to be approximately $566,000.

Improving the Effectiveness of Traffic Monitoring Based on Wireless Location Technology

Improving the Effectiveness of Traffic Monitoring Based on Wireless Location Technology
Author: Michael D. Fontaine
Publisher:
Total Pages: 110
Release: 2004
Genre: Motor vehicles
ISBN:

A fundamental requirement for effectively monitoring and operating transportation facilities is reliable, accurate data on traffic flow. The current state of the practice is to use networks of point detectors to gather information on traffic flow at fixed points on the roadway network. Traffic monitoring based on wireless location technology (WLT) offers an opportunity to expand the size of the transportation network being monitored at a lower cost than with point detection. In WLT-based monitoring, the locations of individual wireless devices are sampled anonymously. By tracking a series of positions for devices in vehicles, it is theoretically possible to estimate the average travel speed on a road. Although the concept of WLT-based monitoring is attractive, results have been mixed. Field tests have been successful at locating vehicle positions but have not been able to generate traffic information of the quality or reliability required for most applications. This research explored how WLT-based monitoring could be improved by rigorously examining the problem from a system design perspective. The evaluation focused on two measures of effectiveness: (1) the availability of speed estimates and (2) the accuracy of speed estimates. The performance of WLT-based monitoring systems was evaluated through a combination of controlled testing on simple networks and case studies on simulated real-world networks. Significant main effects and interactions were evaluated in a systematic manner using a test bed that combined microscopic traffic simulation and a model of a WLT-based monitoring system. The results revealed several important issues to be considered when designing and implementing a WLT-based monitoring system. The selection of parameters such as the number of vehicles tracked and frequency between readings needs to be tailored to handle localized traffic and geometric conditions. The results showed that well-designed monitoring systems could produce accurate results although there were some situations where performance could be improved. Guidelines for the design and use of WLT-based systems were generated, and future avenues to improve system performance were noted.

Status of the Air Traffic Control System

Status of the Air Traffic Control System
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1450
Release: 1985
Genre: Aeronautics
ISBN: