PATH

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...

Institutional Issues and Arrangements in Interoperable Transit Smart Card Systems: A Review of the Literature on California, United States, and International Systems

Yoh, Allison C., PhD
Iseki, Hiroyuki
Taylor, Brian D.
King, David A.
2006

Many public transit agencies in California have implemented or are in the process of implementing smart card fare collection systems. Smart cards can provide riders with a convenient fare medium that eliminates the need for exact change, and offers riders one fare card that can be used across multiple modes, operators, and even different jurisdictions. For transit operators, smart cards can minimize fare fraud and pilfering, reduce operating and maintenance costs, speed up boarding times, and enhance data collection for planning purposes. One important objective of transportation planning...

Impact Of ATIS On Drivers' Decisions And Route Choice: A Literature Review

Abel-aty, Mohamed A.
Vaughn, Kenneth M.
Kitamura, Ryuichi
Jovanis, Paul P.
1993

This report reviews the recent studies adopted in order to understand drivers' behavior, and in particular, behavior when influenced by an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). Different approaches were used in these studies: field experiments, route choice surveys, interactive computer simulation games, route choice simulation and/or modeling, and stated preference. These studies are classified according to the main approach used, and the main objective, method, and findings are presented. Results indicate the need to understand how drivers choose or change routes in the absence of...

Vehicle Following Control Design for Automated Highway Systems

Raza, H.
Ioannou, P.
1997

Automatic vehicle following is an important feature of a fully or partially automated highway system (AHS). The on-board vehicle control system should be able to accept and process inputs from the driver, the infrastructure and other vehicles, perform diagnostics and provide the appropriate commands to actuators so that the resulting motion of the vehicle is safe and compatible with the AHS objectives. The purpose of this paper is to design and test a vehicle control system in order to achieve full vehicle automation in the longitudinal direction for several modes of operation, where the...