ITDS: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

The integrated traffic data system (ITDS) is a microcomputer‐based system that is designed to allow traffic engineers to store, maintain, and update traffic network information in a centralized data base. The information can then be used to create input data files for some of the widely used traffic simulation and network signal‐timing optimization models. ITDS uses the concept of integrated traffic data base to provide a friendly front‐end (or preprocessor) to the models such as TRAF‐NETSIM and TRANSYT‐7F. This data base provides a means of storing, maintaining, and retrieving the traffic network data in a generic format. In addition, interactive and static graphics display interfaces have been added to further simplify the task of users. The interactive graphics displays allow the user to graphically create or modify the network geometry. On the other hand, the static graphics displays allow the user to see a detailed graphical depiction of the traffic network geometry and data. This paper describes the evolution of ITDS, the current status of the system, and the development activity currently underway.