Special issue on intelligent transportation systems,big data and intelligent technology

ABSTRACT

Based on the increasing demands of transportation development, the concept of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) has received increasing attention in both academic and industry arenas. It integrates information, communications, computers and other technologies, and applies them in the field of transportation to build an integrated system of people, roads and vehicles by utilizing advanced data communication technologies. It can establish a large, fully functioning, real-time, accurate and efficient transportation management system. Intelligent transportation systems shift the focus from road managers to road users. In order to achieve this purpose, intelligent transportation systems use advanced technology to provide drivers with convenient information to help reduce traffic congestion and to increase available road capacity. This special issue is dedicated to exploring the most recent advances in intelligent transportation systems and big data based on intelligent technology.     

Technology engagement and privacy: A cluster analysis of reported social network use among transport survey respondents

New technologies are constantly being researched and developed to improve the sense of security of transport users. However, security technologies could also pose their own risks with regard to transport users’ privacy through the potential for data collection and storage. Transport, in particular, allows the data collector potential access to information on the users’ habits through the location information that could be collected during an individual’s interaction with technology during their travels. Some technologies, such as personal security apps (which essentially turn a smartphone into a type of panic alarm) also allow for the linking of the security technology and social networking apps. Given this link and the extent to which personal data, including location data, can be included in an individual’s social networking account, it was decided to investigate if the use of social networks could be related to individuals’ opinions on the use of their data through new technologies, such as personal security apps. This paper presents an exploration of the possibility of grouping respondents to a transport survey (N = 469) based on their answers to questions on their social networking (SNS) use. It was hypothesised that if distinct groups exist within the SNS data, then they could be used as a supplementary personal variable for underlying privacy concerns and levels of engagement with technology in future transport studies. This would be in addition to the socio-demographic information collected in the survey. This paper presents the initial dimension reduction of the response variables to create composite variables. That is followed by the exploratory clustering of responses using two-step cluster analysis. Finally, the paper discusses the hypothesis testing of the resultant clusters against the socio-demographic responses to ascertain if additional information is provided by the clustering results. The transport survey responses were collected in Ireland, and a subset of responses, from the Greater Dublin Area, were used for the analysis in this paper. The results demonstrate that there is scope for this type of method to be used when researching new security technologies in transport.     

Intelligent transport systems solutions in transitional countries: The case of Korea

Transport policy in Korea is driven by the need to cope with ever-worsening traffic conditions. The development of an intelligent transport systems (ITS) Master Plan for Korea is of particular interest and demonstrates the heavy reliance placed on ITS measures to facilitate both the management of congested (but expanding) highway networks and to encourage a shift to greater use of public transport. The paper highlights the major achievements of ITS in Korea by assessing the evidence provided by the widespread implementation of ITS technologies (such as the creation of 'showcase' demonstrations). Some observations from the implementation of ITS in (so-called) transitional economies are presented.     

Transit trip distribution model considering land use differences between catchment areas

Sustainable land use planning and advanced public transport system are believed to be effective solutions to traffic congestion. To this end, it is important to reveal the relationship between transit ridership and land use. However, current Direct Ridership Models only focus on the relationship between single station's boarding volume and the corresponding catchment area land use. This paper analyzed the ridership distribution between transit stations by considering the land use difference between catchment areas. Land use difference was calculated from point of interest (POI) data extracted from an electronic map of Beijing; transit trip distribution volume was obtained from ‘automatic fare collection’ facility. After data specification, a transit ridership distribution model was proposed and calibrated. The calibration results suggest that land use difference has a directly proportional correlation with transit ridership distribution. The research findings build a bridge between detailed urban form and public transport, which is of significance for the further research of sustainable urban planning. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ITS Solutions and Accident Risks: Prospective and Limitations

Abstract

This article investigates the prospective and limitations in the application of potential intelligent transport system (ITS) functions to reduce accident risks, using a cause‐treatment relationship. The main causes of road accidents are described and appropriate ITS solutions (including advanced driver assistance systems and advanced traveller information systems) are presented as countermeasures. Anticipated impacts are discussed and indicate that several ITS have the potential of improving road safety and addressing specific accident causes. However, attention is required on particular aspects of their implementation as they may trigger adverse effects by imposing behavioural adaptation risks, and overestimation and over‐reliance on system capabilities. Further, user acceptability and strategic implementation issues are paramount to the successful introduction of these systems.     

Using GIS in Denmark for traffic planning and decision support

This paper presents current efforts at the Technical University of Denmark for developing concepts for a Geographic Information System for the whole traffic planning process. Such a system (GIS-T) will consist of five model for collection of data, determination of alternate solutions, estimation of future traffic flows, impact analyses and selection of a solution. Furthermore, the system will contain procedures for evaluation and quality control of data and results. Such an integrated GIS-T system will not only ease the specific work, but also gather and strengthen the process of traffic planning. The paper deals mainly with conceptual problems. The theoretical discussions, however, are supplemented by practical examples of traffic models, models for impact analyses and models for data management and quality control, which were implemented in GIS and tested on several real size problems in Denmark. The final part of the paper outlines the promising perspective of future work with GIS-T.     

The Vehicle Routing Problem: The Case of the Hong Kong Postal Service

Abstract

With the growth in population and development of business activities in Hong Kong, the range and level of services provided by Hongkong Post have multiplied. However, the schedule of its postal vehicles, including mail collection and delivery, is still constructed manually on a daily basis, based on the experience of staff and transportation reviews. In this paper, the problem of scheduling a set of n collection points (District Post Offices) from a depot (General Post Office) in Hong Kong Island is addressed. The objectives pursued are the maximization of resource utilization and minimization of operation costs. In other words, the variable cost is expected to be reduced. To achieve these goals, an integer linear programming (IP) model of the vehicle routing problem (VRP) is developed in an effort to obtain optimal solutions. As the model involves computational complexity, a commercial software package CPLEX is used to solve the problems efficiently. The results show that the proposed model can produce optimal vehicle routes and schedules.     

ITS applications for work zones

The use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in construction work zones to disseminate traffic information has increased significantly in recent years, mainly with the use of Variable Message Signs (VMS). VMS are used based on the assumption that informed drivers will make better travel decisions, thereby reducing congestion. However, the extent of change in driver behavior is difficult to predict prior to ITS deployment. This difficulty leads to the larger problem of justifying investment in ITS. This article proposes an ITS deployment decision support tool using micro‐simulation. The approach determines the required diversion effectiveness of a work zone ITS deployment using VMS. The methodology was tested using the Glenmore Trail/Elbow Drive/5^th Street interchange project (GE5) in Calgary, Canada. The results indicate that the proposed approach will assist agencies in justifying ITS investment by exhibiting the potential resultant societal benefits.     

Meeting points in ridesharing: A privacy-preserving approach

Nowadays, problems of congestion in urban areas due to the massive usage of cars, last-minute travel needs and progress in information and communication technologies have fostered the rise of new transportation modes such as ridesharing. In a ridesharing service, a car owner shares empty seats of his car with other travelers. Recent ridesharing approaches help to identify interesting meeting points to improve the efficiency of the ridesharing service (i.e., the best pick-up and drop-off points so that the travel cost is competitive for both driver and rider). In particular, ridesharing services, such as Blablacar or Carma, have become a good mobility alternative for users in their daily life. However, this success has come at the cost of user privacy. Indeed in current’s ridesharing services, users are not in control of their own data and have to trust the ridesharing operators with the management of their data.In this paper, we aim at developing a privacy-preserving service to compute meeting points in ridesharing, such that each user remains in control of his location data. More precisely, we propose a decentralized architecture that provides strong security and privacy guarantees without sacrificing the usability of ridesharing services. In particular, our approach protects the privacy of location data of users. Following the privacy-by-design principle, we have integrated existing privacy enhancing technologies and multimodal shortest path algorithms to privately compute mutually interesting meeting points for both drivers and riders in ridesharing. In addition, we have built a prototype implementation of the proposed approach. The experiments, conducted on a real transportation network, have demonstrated that it is possible to reach a trade-off in which both the privacy and utility levels are satisfactory.     

Man and his transport behaviour. Part 2c Planning as a substitute for implementation: a bicycle case study

Abstract

Researchers, planners and politicians alike have emphasized the need for systematic planning prior to the introduction of new transportation measures and schemes. Innovations ranging from the construction of new freeways to the encouragement of mode shift are therefore usually the result of detailed studies and extensive planning.

With unsettling frequency, however, the planning has come to replace implementation. The governing body identifies a problem area and commissions either a government planning department or a consultant to develop a plan which outlines needs and proposes measures which address the problem. The problem usually has two groups of people anxious to solve it; individuals who are being affected in their day‐to‐day living or travel, and longer‐term planners (usually politicians) who see it in terms of both extended community planning and votes.

The plan satisfies both sides temporarily, but becomes an effective planning tool only if implemented. Unrealistic plans and unwilling implementors have left a trail of plans which have been ends in themselves. Examples from bicycle planning in Australia show how the use of plan formulation can be either an essential element leading to the implementation of a planning scheme, or an expensive substitute for positive action.

A feature of plans which have been implemented is an integrated approach which makes extensive use of data collection to ascertain the needs of the population. A feature of the unimplemented plans is their concentration on the feasibility of introducing physical elements into the transport infrastructure without studying the travel demand.

It is concluded that the greater the concentration on individual needs and constraints, the less likely that planning will come to replace the implementation of a scheme.     

Some managerial and technical issues in transport sector development projects

In development projects there is only one problem, but it is huge: everything is connected to everything else. The authors separated from the whole the following important issues: (1) Project management and coordination: The Recipient Country’s Aid Coordination Unit (ACU) and Project Implementation Unit (PIU) staffed with competent local experts are necessary to hold the reform process memory. This issue is considered in the context of “Ownership” and “Government Leadership” as it is recognized in donor aid forums in the last decade. (2) Human resource development: Most technical assistance is oriented toward providing solutions, and the development of local capacities is ignored. The authors point out the importance of specially selected local experts—the “Technical Communication Officers”. (3) Institutional functioning: A ‘process consultation’ approach to institutional restructuring is promoted in which the Recipient has the key role. It is also recommended that the Recipient is the initiator of technical assistance in the projects. (4) Design standards are a recurrent and difficult problem. Recommendations are necessary how to transit to the new standards and how to mediate their approval process. (5) Procurement and management of consulting services: The authors argue that the recipient country qualified professionals have to be in the lead role. The vignettes in the paper are from the “real world” although they are modified slightly to protect privacy.     

A conflict model and interactive simulator (FASTCARS) for predicting enroute driver behavior in response to real-time traffic condition information

This paper proposes a theoretical methodology and practical data collection approach for modeling enroute driver behavioral choice under Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS). The theoretical framework is based on conflict assessment and resolution theories popularized in psychology and applied to models of individual consumer behavior. It is posed that enroute assessment and adjustment is a reactionary process influenced by increased conflict arousal and motivation to change. When conflict rises to a level at which conflict exceeds a personal threshold of tolerance, drivers are likely to alter enroute behavior to alleviate conflict through either route diversion of goal revision. Assessment and response to conflict arousal directly relate to the driver's abilities to perceive and predict network conditions in conjunction with familiarity of network configurations and accessible alternate routes.Data collection is accomplished through FASTCARS (Freeway andArterialStreetTrafficConflictArousal andResolutionSimulator), in interactive microcomputer-based driving simulator. Limited real-world implementation of ATIS has made it difficult to study or predict individual driver reaction to these technologies. It is contended here that in-laboratory experimentation with interactive route choice simulators can substitute for the lack of real-world applications and provide an alternate approach to data collection and driver behavior analysis. This paper will explain how FASTCARS is useful for collecting data and testing theories of driver behavior.     

Optimal placement of omnidirectional sensors in a transportation network for effective emergency response and crash characterization

Rapid motor vehicle crash detection and characterization is possible through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and sensors are an integral part of any ITS system. The major focus of this paper is on developing optimal placement of accident detecting omnidirectional sensors to maximize incident detection capabilities and provide ample opportunities for data fusion and crash characterization. Both omnidirectional sensors (placed in suitable infrastructure locations) and mobile sensors are part of our analysis. The surrogates used are acoustic sensors (omnidirectional) and Advanced Automated Crash Notification (AACN) sensors (mobile). This data fusion rich placement is achieved through a hybrid optimization model comprising of an explicit–implicit coverage model followed by an evaluation and local search optimization using simulation. The compound explicit–implicit model delivers good initial solutions and improves the detection and data fusion capabilities compared to the explicit model alone. The results of the studies conducted quantify the use of a data fusion capable environment in crash detection scenarios, and the simulation tool developed helps a decision maker evaluate sensor placement strategy.     

Estimating vehicle miles traveled combined with ITS data

‘Vehicle miles traveled’ (VMT) is an important performance measure for highway systems. Currently, VMT [or ‘annual average daily traffic’ (AADT)] is estimated from a combination of permanent counting stations and short-term counts done at specified locations as part of the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) mandated by the US Federal Highway Administration. However, on some roadway sections, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) such as detectors and cameras also produce traffic data. The question addressed in this paper is whether and under what conditions ITS systems data could be used instead of HPMS short-term counts (called ‘coverage counts’)? This paper develops a methodology for determining a threshold number of missing daily traffic counts, or alternatively, the number of valid ITS data observations needed, in order to confidently replace the HPMS coverage counts with ITS data.

Because ITS counts, coverage counts, and actual ground counts (e.g. continuous counts) cannot be found coexisting on a roadway section, it is hard to compare them directly. In this paper, the Monte Carlo simulation method is employed to generate synthetic ITS counts and coverage counts from a set of relatively complete traffic counts collected at a continuous count station. Comparisons are made between simulated ITS counts, coverage counts, and actual ground counts. The simulation results indicate that when there are<330 daily traffic counts missing in a set of ITS counts in a year, that is, when there are at least 35 days of valid data, ITS counts can be used to derive a better AADT than using coverage counts. This result is applied to calculate the VMT for the Hampton Roads region in Virginia. The comparison between the VMTs derived with using and not using the threshold number indicates that these two VMTs are significantly different.     

Norm approximation method for handling traffic count inconsistencies in path flow estimator

Path flow estimator (PFE) is a one-stage network observer proposed to estimate path flows and hence origin–destination (O–D) flows from traffic counts in a transportation network. Although PFE does not require traffic counts to be collected on all network links when inferring unmeasured traffic conditions, it does require all available counts to be reasonably consistent. This requirement is difficult to fulfill in practice due to errors inherited in data collection and processing. The original PFE model handles this issue by relaxing the requirement of perfect replication of traffic counts through the specification of error bounds. This method enhances the flexibility of PFE by allowing the incorporation of local knowledge, regarding the traffic conditions and the nature of traffic data, into the estimation process. However, specifying appropriate error bounds for all observed links in real networks turns out to be a difficult and time-consuming task. In addition, improper specification of the error bounds could lead to a biased estimation of total travel demand in the network. This paper therefore proposes the norm approximation method capable of internally handling inconsistent traffic counts in PFE. Specifically, three norm approximation criteria are adopted to formulate three L_p-PFE models for estimating consistent path flows and O–D flows that simultaneously minimize the deviation between the estimated and observed link volumes. A partial linearization algorithm embedded with an iterative balancing scheme and a column generation procedure is developed to solve the three L_p-PFE models. In addition, the proposed L_p-PFE models are illustrated with numerical examples and the characteristics of solutions obtained by these models are discussed.     

Intelligent freight-transportation systems: Assessment and the contribution of operations research

While it is certainly too early to make a definitive assessment of the effectiveness of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), it is not to take stock of what has been achieved and to think about what could be achieved in the near future. In our opinion, ITS developments have been up to now largely hardware-driven and have led to the introduction of many sophisticated technologies in the transportation arena, while the development of the software component of ITS, models and decision-support systems in particular, is lagging behind. To reach the full potential of ITS, one must thus address the challenge of making the most intelligent usage possible of the hardware that is being deployed and the huge wealth of data it provides. We believe that transportation planning and management disciplines, operations research in particular, have a key role to play with respect to this challenge. The paper focuses on Freight ITS: Commercial Vehicle Operations and Advanced Fleet Management Systems, City Logistics, and electronic business. The paper reviews main issues, technological challenges, and achievements, and illustrates how the introduction of better operations research-based decision-support software could very significantly improve the ultimate performance of Freight ITS.     

Impact of telecommuting and intelligent transportation systems on residential location choice

The impacts of telecommuting and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) on urban development patterns were investigated in terms of households' residential location choice decisions. A discrete choice modelling approach framework was used. A stated preference (SP) logit analysis was carried out to estimate the parameters of the utility function. An attitude survey of employees of selected public and private sector organizations in the Ottawa-Carleton Region (Canada) yielded the required data for model estimation. In addition to obtaining background information, the survey elicited SP responses by presenting a number of hypothetical residential choice scenarios defined according to the principles of SP experimental design. Results show that telecommuting and ITS measures are highly significant factors in the residential choice model. This leads to the conclusion that these reinforce dispersed residential patterns and encourage moves towards outlying sites. Implications of this conclusion for urban land development planning are noted.     

Integrating GIS concepts into transportation network data structures

Transportation network data structures must be designed to meet the requirements of the analyses being conducted and must be compatible with the selected graphical user interface. Increasing interest in geographic information systems (GIS) and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) have further burdened the network data structure. It is possible to implement object oriented programming (OOP) technology to satisfy these needs, without making the data structure excessively complicated.

This paper shows how a well‐developed network data structure can incorporate major capabilities normally associated with stand‐alone GIS's. The design of a network data structure derives from both theoretical and practical considerations. A design of a network data structure, composed entirely of objects, is presented. Examples of its implementation, limitations, advantages, and possible extensions are drawn from experience with the General Network Editor (GNE).     

Review of GPS Travel Survey and GPS Data-Processing Methods

Abstract

Global positioning system (GPS) devices have been utilised in travel surveys since the late 1990s. Because GPS devices are very accurate at recording time and positional characteristics of travel, they can correct the trip-misreporting issue resulting from self-reports of travel and improve the accuracy of travel data. Although the initial idea of using GPS surveys in transport data collection was just to replace paper-based travel diaries, GPS surveys currently are being applied in a number of transport fields. Several general reviews have been done about GPS surveys in the literature review sections in some papers, but a detailed systematic review from GPS data collection to the whole procedure of GPS data processing has not been undertaken. This paper comprehensively reviews the development of GPS surveys and their applications, and GPS data processing. Different from most reviews in GPS research, this paper provides a detailed and systematic comparison between different methods from trip identification to mode and purpose detection, introduces the methods that researchers and planners are currently using, and discusses the pros and cons of those methods. Based on this review, researchers can choose appropriate methods and endeavour to improve them.     

Merging ICT and informal transport in Jakarta's ojek system

This paper discusses how information and communication technologies (ICT) may influence travel behavior of an informal transport system, and whether and in which ways merging digital technologies represents disruption for a specific sociotechnical ensemble. For decades, ojek has been a form of informal passenger transport, based on motorcycles in Jakarta, and recently smartphone apps have become available in that sociotechnical arrangement. We randomly surveyed passengers and drivers in the central district, for both those who do and do not use these apps. Despite many similarities between both groups, the drivers who use smartphones for their trips reported higher daily incomes, longer average trip distances and a larger coverage area. Passengers using conventional ojek transport reported lower levels of both safety perception and satisfaction when compared to app-based ojek users. For both categories of user, ojek seems to compete with, complement, and be an alternative to bus rapid transit and the suburban rail system (KRL) in the area covered by our sample. The areas covered by regular buses and vans roughly match the origins and destinations of ojek trips.