Event-based ATIS: Practical Implementation and Evaluation of Optimized Strategies

This project further adapt and enhance the previous research of relevance to event-based Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) and implement the algorithms for traffic management in Anaheim. This study is also answering some basic questions in ATIS implementation associated with routing strategies, driver’s compliance and network performance. This research develops algorithms for static and dynamic optimal Changeable Message Signs (CMS). The optimized CMS schemes are based on performance evaluations using a traffic simulation-based evaluation model, DYNASMART (Dynamic Network Assignment Simulation Model for Advanced Road Telematics). Performance of ATIS depends on drivers’ compliance behavior, and the compliance issue is addressed in this research. This study develops a framework of driver’s compliance model, and incorporates it into the evaluation framework. The model includes inherent value of guidance system, and the value is analyzed via day-to-day update approach. A limited field test is implemented for the event traffic management. The implementation involves the Caltrans-UCI ATMS research testbed framework at the UCI Institute of Transportation Studies, as well as the physical hardware available for communication to the city of Anaheim. The analytical and heuristic algorithms proposed for use here include those for static and dynamic traffic simulation-assignment. The essential part of algorithmic research is to adapt the network optimization algorithms to generate traffic rerouting plans, which involve aggregation of network paths and their translation to a format usable for changeable message signs existing in Anaheim, as well as other event-based information supply hardware.