Freeway Performance Measurement System, PeMS v3, Phase 1: Final Report

PeMS is a freeway performance measurement system for all of California.  It processes 2 GB/day of 30-second loop detector data in real time to produce useful information. Managers at any time can have a uniform, and comprehensive assessment of freeway performance.  Traffic engineers can base their operational decisions on knowledge of the current state of the freeway network.  Planners can determine whether congestion bottlenecks can be alleviated by improving operations or by minor capital improvements.  Travelers can obtain the current shortest route and travel time estimates.  Researchers can validate their theory and calibrate simulation models. PeMS is a low-cost system.  It uses the Caltrans network for data acquisition.  It is easy to deploy and maintain.  It takes under six weeks to bring a Caltrans district online.  As of August 11, 2001, Districts 3,4,7,8,12 were connected to PeMS; District 11 will be connected by the end of August.