Arterial travel time estimation based on vehicle re-identification using wireless magnetic sensors

A practical system is described for the real-time estimation of travel time across an arterial segment with multiple intersections. The system relies on matching vehicle signatures from wireless sensors. The sensors provide a noisy magnetic signature of a vehicle and the precise time when it crosses the sensors. A match (re-identification) of signatures at two locations gives the corresponding travel time of the vehicle. The travel times for all matched vehicles yield the travel time distribution. Matching results can be processed to provide other important arterial performance measures including capacity, volume/capacity ratio, queue lengths, and number of vehicles in the link. The matching algorithm is based on a statistical model of the signatures. The statistical model itself is estimated from the data, and does not require measurement of ‘ground truth’. The procedure does not require measurements of signal settings; in fact, signal settings can be inferred from the matched vehicle results. The procedure is tested on a 1.5 km (0.9 mile)-long segment of San Pablo Avenue in Albany, CA, under different traffic conditions. The segment is divided into three links: one link spans four intersections, and two links each span one intersection.     

加利福尼亚州车辆合乘系统运行效果

为了解加利福尼亚州HOV系统的运行效果,基于交通量检测器收集的数据,对HOV系统进行全面分析、评价。最终得到4个主要结论：1）与多条普通车道构成的高速公路相比,包含1条HOV车道的高速公路损失了20%的通行能力;2）HOV车道通常处于两种运行状态,一种是HOV车道未被充分利用,另一种是HOV车道处于超负荷、降级运行状态;3）HOV车道未显著提高小汽车合乘比例;4）在一个相当出色的交通管理系统中,HOV车道并未从整体上缓解道路交通拥堵状况。     

Behavior of the cell transmission model and effectiveness of ramp metering

The paper characterizes the behavior of the cell transmission model of a freeway, divided into N sections or cells, each with one on-ramp and one off-ramp. The state of the dynamical system is the N-dimensional vector n of vehicle densities in the N sections. A feasible stationary demand pattern induces a unique equilibrium flow in each section. However, there is an infinite set—in fact a continuum—of equilibrium states, including a unique uncongested equilibrium n^u in which free flow speed prevails in all sections, and a unique most congested equilibrium n^con. In every other equilibrium n^e one or more sections are congested, and n^u  n^e  n^con. Every equilibrium is stable and every trajectory converges to some equilibrium state.Two implications for ramp metering are explored. First, if the demand exceeds capacity and the ramps are not metered, every trajectory converges to the most congested equilibrium. Moreover, there is a ramp metering strategy that increases discharge flows and reduces total travel time compared with the no-metering strategy. Second, even when the demand is feasible but the freeway is initially congested, there is a ramp metering strategy that moves the system to the uncongested equilibrium and reduces total travel time. The two conclusions show that congestion invariably indicates wastefulness of freeway resources that ramp metering can eliminate.     

Guaranteed prediction and estimation of the state of a road network

The paper presents an algorithm for the prediction and estimation of the state of a road network comprising freeways and arterials, described by a Cell Transmission Model (CTM). CTM divides the network into a collection of links. Each link is characterized by its fundamental diagram, which relates link speed to link density. The state of the network is the vector of link densities. The state is observed through measurements of speed and flow on some links. Demand is specified by the volume of vehicles entering the network at some links, and by split ratios according to which vehicles are routed through the network. There is model uncertainty: the parameters of the fundamental diagram are uncertain. There is uncertainty in the demand around the nominal forecast. Lastly, the measurements are uncertain. The uncertainty in each model parameter, demand, and measurement is specified by an interval. Given measurements over a time interval [0, t] and a horizon τ ? 0, the algorithm computes a set of states with the guarantee that the actual state at time (t + τ) will lie in this set, consistent with the given measurements. In standard terminology the algorithm is a state prediction or an estimate accordingly as τ > 0 or =0. The flow exiting a link may be controlled by an open- or closed-loop controller such as a signal or ramp meter. An open-loop controller does not change the algorithm, indeed it may make the system more predictable by tightening density bounds downstream of the controller. In the feedback case, the value of the control depends on the estimated state bounds, and the algorithm is extended to compute the range of possible closed-loop control values. The algorithm is used in a proposed design of a decision support system for the I-80 integrated corridor.     

我们能从道路交通拥堵中学到什么

随着高速公路监测手段的完善,高速公路运行数据日益丰富。通过深入挖掘、分析加州高速公路运行监测系统5年来收集的数据,从不同角度定量理解拥堵产生的原因,包括拥堵动态分析、交通瓶颈识别、匝道控制效益评价、出行时间预测等。此外,基于上述数据,以加州湾区HOV车道为例,通过分析通行能力损失、对比路段相同位置HOV限制与非限制时段车道流量及速度变化,定量评价了HOV车道的实施效果及其给其他车道带来的拥堵后果。上述各项研究均衡量了拥堵的严重程度及产生原因,并给出了相应的缓堵方法。