Intelligent Transportation Systems

Shared mobility can include roundtrip services (a vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or other mode is returned to its origin); one-way station-based services (a vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or other mode is returned to a different designated station location); and one-way free-floating services (a vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or other mode can be returned anywhere within a geographic area). To help manage free-floating services, cities and shared mobility operators may use technologies like geofencing. Geofencing is a technology that uses GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual boundary, enabling...

This paper describes the activities in developing and applying improved computer techniques in traffic signal management, performed in the technical center established at the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS), as part of the Fuel Efficient Traffic Signal Management (FETSIM) project. The center provides technical support to local agencies, develops software and conducts research for most efficient use of the state of the art computer programs. A description of the available programs is given and how these tools can be used in the various phases of a signal retiming study. Selected...

This study focuses on the problem of measuring the queue discharge flow rates for a nonbottleneck freeway section and on developing an approach for estimating the impacts of intelligent transportation system (ITS) measures on the mean and variance of the queue discharge flow rate. The whole-year mean and variance of the queue discharge flow rates for the subject section of freeway are computed on the basis of measured 5-min congested flow rates over the course of a year. The flow data are categorized into congested and uncongested flows on the basis of a speed threshold that separates...

This research project directly addresses the Caltrans policy question of “How to meet the SB 1 ten-year (2027) mandated preliminary performance outcomes for additional state highway investments?” More specifically, the study focuses on performance outcome number 4: “Not less than 90 percent of the transportation management system units in good condition”. As part of this project, the research team evaluated the Caltrans performance-based methodology to achieve the 90% performance goal in addition to completing a review of relevant reports from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA),...