REAL-TIME TRAFFIC DIVERSION MODEL - CONCEPTUAL-APPROACH

The development of advanced traffic-management systems as a major comp onent of intelligent vehicle/highway systems is targeted to address th e complex problem of urban traffic congestion. The strategy includes r eal-time diversion of traffic during congestion-causing events, by mak ing 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. T he approach relies on real-time traffic data to detect incidents and d evelop rerouting plants to benefit motorists. For this purpose, a mode l has been developed to estimate traveler destinations from traffic da ta. The dynamic nature of the problem is captured through a traffic as signment/simulation model, which can predict traffic conditions that w ould prevail in the alternate routes. A knowledge-based expert system is also proposed to estimate traffic delays, and to evaluate and choos e alternate routes. This research is being applied to the northern Vir ginia urban area as a case study.