PATH

Investigation of Vehicles as Probes Using Global Positioning System and Cellular Phone Tracking: Field Operational Test

Yim, Y. B. Youngbin
Cayford, Randall
2001

This paper reports on the first phase of the location technology evaluation for probe vehicles. Two technologies were evaluated, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and the cellular phone tracking technology developed by US Wireless. Although GPS has shown great potential for vehicle probes, much of the previous research is theoretical in nature. Very little work has been done in the areas of experimental research, implementation or deployment. Most of the field tests were anecdotal; a systematic approach is highly desired to develop a vehicle probe system that is reliable and efficient for...

Organizing For Its: Computer Integrated Transportation Phase 2: Results For Commercial Vehicle Operators

Hall, Randolf
Chatterjee, Indrajit
1995

This paper extends previous research on Computer Integrated Transportation (CIT) to commercial vehicle operations (CVO), specifically to examine how government can work with trucking companies within a CIT framework. The research entailed a review of how government currently interacts with trucking companies, interviews with trucking terminal managers, and case-studies on terminal operations at five of the nation's largest motor carriers. Opportunities are identified in the area of unifying interaction between government and industry and in the area of in- vehicle devices for automated...

Automated-Manual Transitions: Human Capabilities and Adaptive Cruise Control

Barton, Joseph E.
Cohn, Theodore E.
Nguyen, Khoi M.
Nguyen, Tieuvi
Toyofuku, Natsuko
2004

ITS innovations in California are likely to include automated systems for vehicle guidance. Such systems will supplant manual controls during certain types of vehicle operation. However, the alternative manual control must remain intact in the vehicle. Thus, epochs of automated-manual transition (A-MT) are inevitable. The problem is how to characterize a given transition type and then how to optimize it. In this study we examined one of the several predictable transitions that use of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) will lead to. This predictable A-MT is the event that would ensue when a...

Optimizing Comprehension of Changeable Message Signs (CMS)

Greenhouse, Daniel
2007

The goal of this research was to assist the California Department of Transportation (DOT) in optimizing the message content and presentation within changeable message signs (CMS). Optimized content will improve information transfer while at the same time minimizing the likelihood of congestion owing to slowing by motorists attempting to read the message. The research was restricted to simulated signs displaying 16 characters in each of three lines, representing permanent CMS displays, or signs containing only 8 characters in each of three lines, as is the case for portable CMS displays....

Berkeley Highway Laboratory Project: Final Report

May, Dolf
Cayford, Randall
Leiman, Lannon
Merritt, Greg
2005

This document is the final report for the 2004-2005 Berkeley Highway Laboratory (BHL) Project that is part of the University of California’s PATH program and supported by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The primary objectives of this project have been to operate, maintain, enhance, and conduct research on the Berkeley Highway Laboratory (BHL) detector system. The project consists of following seven major tasks.Task 1, Macroscopic Freeway Traffic Performance MeasuresTask 2, Assessment and Improvements of Detector DiagnosticsTask 3, Installation and Testing of New BHL...

Towards A Fault Tolerant AHS Design Part II: Design And Verification Of Communication Protocols

Godbole, D. N.
Lygeros, J.
Singh, E.
Deshpande, A.
Lindsey, A. E.
1996

This report presents an evaluation of the Phase II Smart Card Demonstration Project, the goal of which is to develop a transit fare payment system for commercialization that will improve transit efficiency and effectiveness. The major focus of the project is the testing of selected technologies in revenue service. Two types of fare payment cards were selected: a contactless radio frequency (RF) card and a contact card. The advanced fare payment system includes passenger transaction units installed on buses and the associated control and communications system. The evaluation covers the...

Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC) User Survey

Yim, Youngbin
1991

This is a summary of several surveys concerning the use of an electronic toll collection system (ETC) among San Francisco Bay Area motorists. The objective of these surveys was to determine the level of interest in subscribing to an electronic toll collection service for Bay Area toll bridges. The issues addressed in the surveys were: (1) interest in the ETC service; (2) preferred types of automated vehicle identification (AVI) tags; (3) preferred location or placement of AVI tags on the vehicle; (4) desired method of payment for the ETC service; and, (5) perceived benefits of ETC.

Ramp Metering Design Tools and Field Test Implementation of Queue Control

Sanchez, Rene O.
Gomes, Gabriel
Horowitz, Roberto
Varaiya, Pravin
2010

PATH Task Order 6329 has as its two main goals 1) to create a software tool which can be used to design and test ramp metering systems for freeways, and 2) to prepare necessary software to conduct a field test of a queue control algorithm developed under T.O. 5503. Both of these objectives are directed towards improving the effectiveness of ramp metering strategies for freeways by using advanced technologies in traffic sensors (Sensys), data storage (PeMS), and ramp metering algorithms (Alinea, SWARM).The Ramp Metering Design Tool (RMDT) has been designed to meet the first of these goals....

Feasibility Study for the Use of Biodiesel in the Caltrans Fleet

Miller, J. Wayne
Durbin, Thomas D.
2009

Over the past several years, biodiesel use has dramatically increased due to its potential emissions benefits, classification as a low-carbon/renewable fuel and ability to be integrated into diesel fleet applications without significant infrastructure or other substitution issues. Caltrans has largest fleet in California, so biodiesel would provide many benefits in terms of meeting environmental and energy security objectives. However, all aspects of biodiesel use needed to be thoroughly investigated, including potential benefits and liabilities, prior to widespread introduction into the...

Detection and Avoidance of Collisions: the REACT Model

Sauer, Craig
Andersen, George J.
Saidpour, Asad
2004

An important perceptual task during driving is the ability to detect and avoid collisions. Failure to accurately perform this task can have serious consequences for the driver and passengers. The present research developed and tested a model of car following by human drivers, as part of a general model under development of a human driver. Unlike other car following models that are based on 3D parameters (e.g., range or distance) the present model is based on the visual information available to the driver. The model uses visual angle and change in visual angle to regulate speed during car...