Application of GPS in Traffic Management Systems

Abstract

Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) need reliable, accurate, and real-time data. Travel time, speed, and delay are three of the most important factors used in ITMS for monitoring, quantifying, and controlling congestion. GPS has recently become available for civil applications. Because it provides real-time spatial and time measurements, it has an increasing use in conducting different transportation studies. This article presents the application of GPS in collecting travel time, speed, and delay information of 64 major roads in the state of Delaware. A comparative statistical analysis was performed on data collected by GPS, with data collected simultaneously by the conventional method. The GPS data proved to be at least as accurate as the data collected by the conventional method, and it was 50% more efficient in terms of manpower. Moreover, the sample-size requirement was determined to maintain 95% confidence level throughout the controlled test. Benefiting from the Geographic Information System's dynamic segmentation tool, our travel time, delay, and speed information were integrated with other relevant traffic data. This was presented graphically on the Internet for public use. Statistical trend analysis for the data collected in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 are also presented and applications on the overall ITMS are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.