Real‐Time Traffic Diversion Model: Conceptual Approach

Abstract

The development of advanced traffic‐management systems as a major component of intelligent vehicle/highway systems is targeted to address the complex problem of urban traffic congestion. The strategy includes real‐time diversion of traffic during congestion‐causing events, by making efficient use of the available capacities in the highway network. A conceptual framework for executing real‐time diversions is presented in this paper. The strategy envisages on‐line control and management of traffic through control centers and their surveillance equipment. The approach relies on real‐time traffic data to detect incidents and develop rerouting plants to benefit motorists. For this purpose, a model has been developed to estimate traveler destinations from traffic data. The dynamic nature of the problem is captured through a traffic assignment/simulation model, which can predict traffic conditions that would prevail in the alternate routes. A knowledge‐based expert system is also proposed to estimate traffic delays, and to evaluate and choose alternate routes. This research is being applied to the northern Virginia urban area as a case study.