What transportation modeling needs from a GIS: a conceptual framework

Both the geographic information system (GIS) and transportation modeling environments have seen continually developing analytic concepts and techniques. However, these developments have seldom resulted in the integration of GISs and transportation models. This paper explores the potential inherent in merging of these environments through a systematic investigation of the fundamental basis of integration. To do this, the traditional four step transportation modeling process is extended to include input and output steps. We then define functional components for GIS data handling — data management, manipulation, and analysis. The steps of modeling are matched against the list of GIS data handling functions within a matrix‐based framework. GIS functions that enhance a land‐use based urban transportation modeling process are then categorized. Conclusions are drawn and directions for future developments are discussed.     

A spatial decision support system for retail plan generation and impact assessment

Current geographic information systems typically offer limited analytical capabilities and lack the flexibility to support spatial decision making effectively. Spatial decision support systems aim to fill this gap. Following this approach, this paper describes an operational system for integrated land-use and transportation planning called Location Planner. The system integrates a wide variety of spatial models in a flexible and easy-to-use problem solving environment. Users are able to construct a model out of available components and use the model for impact analysis and optimization. Thus, in contrast to existing spatial decision support systems, the proposed system allows users to address a wide range of problems. The paper describes the architecture of the system and an illustrative application. Furthermore, the potentials of the system for land-use and transportation planning are discussed.     

Enhancing stated preference surveys in transportation research: the contribution of geographic information systems

In this paper we argue that visualization, data management and computational capabilities of geographic information systems (GIS) can assist transportation stated preference research in capturing the contextual complexity of many transportation decision environments by providing respondents with maps and other spatial and non-spatial information in graphical form that enhance respondents' understanding of decision scenarios. We explore the multiple inherent contributions of GIS to transportation stated preference data collection and propose a framework for a GIS-based stated preference survey instrument. We also present the design concepts of two survey prototypes and their GIS implementation for a sample travel mode choice problem.     

Data attribution and network representation issues in GIS and transportation

Geographic Information System (GIS) is an “intelligent” technology which integrates attribute data and spatial features and manages the relationship between them. GIS is widely used in many activities, but its application in transportation is less common. The extension of GIS into transportation (GIS‐T) offers the potential to integrate transportation data into GIS. The integration of transportation data in GIS faces a number of barriers that are discussed in the paper. These barriers can be broadly categorized into data attribution and network representation issues. This paper analyzes these issues and reviews the potential for overcoming these constraints with current GIS technology. A fully developed GIS‐T has to meet many diverse needs including transportation inventory, modeling and operational problems. If GIS is to succeed as a transportation technology, it must be capable of integrating different levels of network representation and data attribution and have the ability to link with other transportation technologies.     

Geographic information systems for transportation in perspective

The late 1980s saw the first widespread use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in transportation research and management. Due to the specific requirements of transportation applications and of the rather late adoption of this information technology in transportation, research has been directed toward enhancing existing GIS approaches to enable the full range of capabilities needed in transportation research and management. This paper places the concept of transportation GIS in the broader perspective of research in GIS and Geographic Information Science. The emphasis is placed on the requirements specific of the transportation domain of application of this emerging information technology as well as on core research challenges.     

Deciding whether and how to improve statewide travel demand models based on transportation planning application needs

Many states in the USA have developed statewide travel demand models for transportation planning at the state level and along intercity corridors. Travel demand models at mega-region and provincial levels are also widely used in Europe and Asia. With modern transportation planning applications requiring enhanced model capabilities, many states are considering improving their four-step statewide demand models. This paper synthesizes representative statewide models developed with traditional four-step, advanced four-step, and integrated micro-simulation methods. The focus of this synthesis study is as much on model applications and data requirements as on modeling methods. An incremental model improvement approach toward advanced statewide models is recommended. Review findings also suggest model improvement activities should be justified by planning application needs. For statewide model improvement plans to be successful and financially sustainable, the return on model improvement investment needs to be demonstrated by timely applications that rely on improved model capabilities.     

Performance measures and data requirements for congestion management systems

Many metropolitan areas have started programs to monitor the performance of their transportation network and to develop systems to measure and manage congestion. This paper presents a review of issues, procedures, and examples of application of geographic information system (GIS) technology to the development of congestion management systems (CMSs). The paper examines transportation network performance measures and discusses the benefit of using travel time as a robust, easy to understand performance measure. The paper addresses data needs and examines the use of global positioning system (GPS) technology for the collection of travel time and speed data. The paper also describes GIS platforms and sample user interfaces to process the data collected in the field, data attribute requirements and database schemas, and examples of application of GIS technology for the production of maps and tabular reports.     

Using intelligent agents for Transportation Regulation Support System design

This paper presents an agent-based approach used to design a Transportation Regulation Support System (TRSS), that reports the network activity in real-time and thus assists the bus network regulators. The objective is to combine the functionalities of the existing information system with the functionalities of a decision support system in order to propose a generic model of a traffic regulation support system. Unlike the other approaches that only deal with a specific task, the original feature of our generic model is that it proposes a global approach to the regulation function under normal conditions (network monitoring, dynamic timetable management) and under disrupted conditions (disturbance assessment and action planning of feasible solutions). Following the introduction, the second section presents the notions of the domain and highlights the main regulation problems. The third section details and motivates our choice of the components of the generic model. Based on our generic model, in the fourth section, we present a TRSS prototype called SATIR (Système Automatique de Traitement des Incidents en Réseau – Automatic System for Network Incident Processing) that we have developed. SATIR has been tested on the Brussels transportation network (STIB). The results are presented in the fifth section. Lastly, we show how using the multi-agent paradigm opens perspectives regarding the development of new functionalities to improve the management of a bus network.     

GIS在燃气管网中的应用

为了实现燃气管网管理的科学性和高效性,以ArcGIS为平台,利用GIS技术建立燃气管网的信息系统。通过对系统的总体设计和功能模块划分,开发出了一套既能实现数据查询,又能进行决策分析的功能全面、使用方便的燃气管网地理信息系统。该系统不仅实现了管网的信息化管理,并且可以对查询结果生成三维界面,体现了科学技术、数字化管理在处理燃气管网信息上的优势,准确高效,为日后管网的改造优化和管理工作提供了辅助决策支持。     

交通运输能耗与排放统计监测平台及应用研究

在我国交通运输行业节能减排的背景下,本文以交通运输行业能耗特点与统计监测方法为基础,建立涵盖了公路客运、公路货运、城市公交、城市出租、水路运输、港口生产等行业的能耗碳排统计监测系统,分析了省级交通运输能耗与排放特点,明确了能耗数据统计对象与内容,并对能耗数据采集的方法进行了研究,建立了省级交通运输能耗统计监测系统,并以辽宁省交通运输为依托,对全省交通运输行业能耗统计监测系统进行了验证与应用,同时也为交通运输行业的节能减排提供了决策支撑和数据支持。     

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).     

A multiple criteria approach for the evaluation of the rail transit networks in Istanbul

The deficiencies in the Istanbul transportation system have led the local authorities to plan several alternative transportation projects. In this paper three alternative rail transit network proposals are evaluated by using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multiple criteria decision support system. The AHP facilitates decision-making by organizing perceptions, experiences, knowledge and judgments, the forces that influence the decision, into a hierarchical framework with a goal, scenarios, criteria and alternatives of choice. Based on this analysis, the decision makers have developed a new alternative as a combination of the most closely competing two alternative rail transit networks. This combination rail transit network is currently under construction.     

A GIS-Based traffic accident information system

This paper describes the process of developing a GIS-based traffic accident information system. A roadway network in Kent County, Delaware, was selected to demonstrate the graphic database. The development of the graphic and attribute databases on a workstation environment is described. Software was developed to graphically represent accident information pertaining to any point on the roadway network, and outputs for typical case scenarios are presented. The software also has the capability of displaying historical accident information pertaining to the site. This aspect would be helpful to the planner or designer in studying the impact of a particular roadway design with respect to safety. Some thoughts for future extensions of this study are also presented. Finally, it is concluded that a carefully designed GIS system can efficiently help transportation professionals with traffic safety studies and that its capabilities can be extended to include other areas such as pavement and inventory management, transit applications, and executive information systems.     

Transportation agencies experiences with decision support systems for airport ground access planning

This article reports on a field investigation into the ways that transportation agencies use quantitative and qualitative information for making strategic decisions regarding airport ground access. The study analyzes the value of this information for planning airport ground access improvements at seven major international airport sites.The major finding of the research is that quantitative modeling for strategic decision support is very difficult, costly and time consuming. Modelers are confident that the models are accurate and reliable but executives generally lack confidence in the results. Transportation officials believe that the information supplied is flawed by a number of defects that minimize its value for strategic decision makers. The information defects described in this article provide an analysis of the structural difficulty of using quantitative modeling for transportation problems of strategic importance. To date, qualitative information is not frequently used, but some transportation agencies are considering its application to designing transportation services. Although this study is limited to airport ground access, the authors feel that this evidence, in conjunction with the evidence from other studies in the transportation area, dictates a need for wariness in the development of decision support systems for transportation planners. Developers of decision support systems for transportation planners must be aware of modeling costs and defects and consider how to improve the timeliness, relevance and credibility of information quantitative models provide transportation executives. Fundamentally it is important to recognize that decision makers tend, either singularly or in concert with other individuals or groups, to be the champions of a long-term vision for the community. When modeling produces inconsistent or wide ranging results that contradict their position, decision makers may not only discard modeling activities, but lose confidence in the models altogether. As a consequence, transportation planners are faced with the challenge of how to improve quantitative modeling. The most reliable and effective means for improvement is incorporation of qualitative techniques which provide greater understanding of customer perceptions and human behavior.     

Fuzzy ontology-based sentiment analysis of transportation and city feature reviews for safe traveling

Traffic congestion is rapidly increasing in urban areas, particularly in mega cities. To date, there exist a few sensor network based systems to address this problem. However, these techniques are not suitable enough in terms of monitoring an entire transportation system and delivering emergency services when needed. These techniques require real-time data and intelligent ways to quickly determine traffic activity from useful information. In addition, these existing systems and websites on city transportation and travel rely on rating scores for different factors (e.g., safety, low crime rate, cleanliness, etc.). These rating scores are not efficient enough to deliver precise information, whereas reviews or tweets are significant, because they help travelers and transportation administrators to know about each aspect of the city. However, it is difficult for travelers to read, and for transportation systems to process, all reviews and tweets to obtain expressive sentiments regarding the needs of the city. The optimum solution for this kind of problem is analyzing the information available on social network platforms and performing sentiment analysis. On the other hand, crisp ontology-based frameworks cannot extract blurred information from tweets and reviews; therefore, they produce inadequate results. In this regard, this paper proposes fuzzy ontology-based sentiment analysis and semantic web rule language (SWRL) rule-based decision-making to monitor transportation activities (accidents, vehicles, street conditions, traffic volume, etc.) and to make a city-feature polarity map for travelers. This system retrieves reviews and tweets related to city features and transportation activities. The feature opinions are extracted from these retrieved data, and then fuzzy ontology is used to determine the transportation and city-feature polarity. A fuzzy ontology and an intelligent system prototype are developed by using Protégé web ontology language (OWL) and Java, respectively. The experimental results show satisfactory improvement in tweet and review analysis and opinion mining.     

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.     

A planning methodology for intelligent urban transportation systems

Recent developments in intelligent transportation systems pose new challenges and opportunities for urban transportation planning. To meet these challenges and to exploit these opportunities, a framework for a new transportation planning methodology has been developed. The methodology operates in a computer environment, called PLANiTS (Planning and Analysis Integration for Intelligent Transportation Systems), designed to facilitate the entire planning process form problem identification, through idea generation and analysis, on to prioritization and programming. To assist in problem identification, PLANiTS provides graphic representation of current conditions, including traffic, air pollution, accidents, and projections of future conditions. A computerized knowledge base, containing information about possible strategies and their effects, and a model base, containing transportation and other analysis models, are used to guide the user in identifying potentially effective strategies and performing the appropriate analysis. To facilitate the use of these tools, PLANiTS provides computer support of group processes such as brainstorming, deliberation, and consensus seeking. PLANiTS is designed for use in urban transportation planning at the local, regional, and state levels; it is intended to support a variety of participants in the planning process including transportation professionals, decision makers in transportation agencies (often local elected officials), citizens, and interest groups. Recognizing that transportation planning is essentially a deliberative, political process, PLANiTS is designed to inform and facilitate, but not replace, the political decision-making process.     

A fuzzy stochastic approach to the multicriteria selection of an aircraft for regional chartering

This article deals with the problem of decision support for the selection of an aircraft. This is a problem faced by an airline company that is investing in regional charter flights in Brazil. The company belongs to an economic group whose core business is logistics. The problem has eight alternatives to be evaluated under 11 different criteria, whose measurements can be exact, stochastic, or fuzzy. The technique chosen for analyzing and then finding a solution to the problem is the multicriteria decision aiding method named NAIADE (Novel Approach to Imprecise Assessment and Decision Environments). The method used allows tackling the problems by working with quantitative as well as qualitative criteria under uncertainty and imprecision. Another considerable advantage of NAIADE over other multicriteria methods relies in its characteristics of not requiring a prior definition of the weights by the decision maker. As a conclusion, it can be said that the use of NAIADE provided for consistent results to that aircraft selection problem. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermodal and international freight network modeling

The authors describe the development and application of a single, integrated digital representation of a multimodal and transcontinental freight transportation network. The network was constructed to support the simulation of some five million origin to destination freight shipments reported as part of the 1997 United States Commodity Flow Survey. The paper focuses on the routing of the tens of thousands of intermodal freight movements reported in this survey. Routings involve different combinations of truck, rail and water transportation. Geographic information systems (GIS) technology was invaluable in the cost-effective construction and maintenance of this network and in the subsequent validation of mode sequences and route selections. However, computationally efficient routing of intermodal freight shipments was found to be most efficiently accomplished outside the GIS. Selection of appropriate intermodal routes required procedures for linking freight origins and destinations to the transportation network, procedures for modeling intermodal terminal transfers and inter-carrier interlining practices, and a procedure for generating multimodal impedance functions to reflect the relative costs of alternative, survey reported mode sequences.     

Estimation of value of travel time reliability

In mode choice decision, travelers consider not only travel time but also reliability of its modes. In this paper, reliability was expressed in terms of standard deviation and maximum delay that were measured based on triangular distribution. In order to estimate value of time and value of reliability, the Multinomial and Nested Logit models were used. The analysis results revealed that reliability is an important factor affecting mode choice decisions. Elasticity is used to estimate the impacts of the different policies and system improvements for water transportation mode. Among these policies, decision maker can assess and select the best alternative by doing the benefit and cost analysis based on a new market share, the value of time, and the value of reliability. Finally, a set of promising policies and system improvement of the water transportation were proposed.