01475751

Component

The methodology presented here allows to measure and monitor road congestion across Europe using traces from in-vehicle navigation systems. The approach is based on the analysis of a large number of real vehicle speeds that have been measured on each road link and the application of algorithms that allow the estimation of congestion indicators for specific types of roads during selected time periods. The results include the detailed mapping of recurrent congestion both geographically and temporally, as well as the comparison of the quality of service of road networks between different zones. The large number of "probes" (over 1 trillion of measurements) gives a highly accurate and representative picture of the actual driving conditions across the European road network. The data collected are clustered in groups of speed profiles which represent change in average speed behaviour along a road link in five-minute time intervals over a 24-hour period. Each road link has a specific speed profile assigned per day of the week. The average speed on a specific link during a certain time period can be compared to the benchmark speed estimated for the link under free flow conditions or against selected threshold values. As a result, indicators of congestion for different time periods can be measured and compared across links, regions and countries. The paper also presents examples of the application of this methodology: • Mapping congestion and monitoring its evolution over time, by comparing the level and distribution of congestion in two different points in time • Application of the congestion indicators in European transport policy, by comparing average congestion between the peak hour and wider time periods and identifying measures to improve the temporal distribution • Combination of congestion indicators with traffic counts in order to improve speed flow curves used in transport network models.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADB40(1) Emerging Methods and Developments in Urban Activity and Travel Analysis.

01470560

13-0679

English

16p

2013

Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Maps; References; Tables

Automobile navigation systems; Global Positioning System; Policy making; Traffic congestion; Traffic measurement; Traffic surveillance

Vehicle mapping

Europe

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I73: Traffic Control

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2013 Paper #13-0679

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:15PM