The future of traffic control

ABSTRACT

Vehicle probes as data collectors, satellites as traffic spies and area wide traffic signal control will shape the future traffic system. In order to apply these technologies, new methods for data mining are necessary. Aerial photogrammetry covers a wide range of edges and nodes that have to be linked with digital maps, containing static and dynamic attributes in real time. The dynamic attributes are generated from ground-based vehicle probes and from air borne platforms using extraction techniques with different kinds of imagery. New methods of data fusion are necessary to generate reliable and up to date traffic data. Finally, fast algorithms for dynamic routing have to be developed. These will contribute to new control principles covering extended areas instead of arterials and corridors. The methods are exemplified for several metropolitan areas such as Berlin, Vienna and Hamburg, where comprehensive data are collected. A series of big events such as the visit of President Bush to Berlin, an extended thunderstorm in Vienna and a big freeway tunnel shut-down in Hamburg are used to describe the above mentioned functions of data mining and data fusion as well as the consequences for event adaptive traffic control. The presentation ends with an online demonstration of area wide traffic assessment and comparison of the traffic status and level of service quality of different metropolitan areas.