Lesson
Use vehicle probes to monitor traffic cost-effectively, manage incidents and queue ups proactively, reduce delays, and increase traveler satisfaction along a multi-state transportation corridor.
I-95Corridor Coalition Experience with Vehicle Probes
August 12, 2010
United States
Background (Show)
Lesson Learned
- Enhance incident management efficiency by using vehicle probe data (New Jersey). During a surprise snowstorm in October 2008, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Traffic Operations Center was reviewing an accident on I-80 via a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera. The VPP monitoring site identified a second incident where CCTV coverage was not available that involved multiple jack-knifed tractor-trailers along I-80. The knowledge gained from the VPP about the second incident enabled responders to attend to the second incident by as much as an hour than what would be possible without the VPP. An NJDOT executive stated at the 2008 ITS World Congress and ITS America Annual Joint Meeting that the expedited response to the second incident translated into an estimated $100,000 savings in user delay costs.
- Use vehicle probe data for cost effective traffic monitoring (North Carolina and South Carolina). The North Carolina DOT has noted its more effective utilization of traffic monitoring budget by using vehicle probes in order to increase needed coverage. With typical remote traffic microwave sensors (RTMS), costs of equipment, installation, and maintenance were approximately $48,600 per mile. In contrast, the vehicle probes save money by replacing the RTMS at about a quarter of the cost. Similarly, the South Carolina DOT also cited the agency’s reduction in its use of side fire radar detectors in favor of using vehicle probes. Maintaining its radar coverage over 300 miles is equal to the total cost of the vehicle probe data covering 1,200 miles with the added benefit of transmitting travel time data in addition to speed data.
- Consider using vehicle probes as a reliable means to calculate travel time. Three I-95 Corridor Coalition member agencies—Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina—have used the VPP as their primary data source to calculate and present travel times on variable message signs and traveler information websites. Maryland programmed the implementation of travel times for the year 2012, but was able to advance the implementation by two full years as a direct result of data availability. Similarly, South Carolina and North Carolina each were able to deploy travel times on message signs as a result of having statewide coverage through the VPP. Both the cost and convenience of ubiquitous coverage without roadside intrusion were factors in the success of these agencies’ respective deployments.
- Use vehicle probe data to assist police proactively manage potential traffic queue ups (New York). Significant delays have been observed along Interstate 87 (I-87) approaching Woodbury Commons Shopping Complex on Thanksgiving evening and the following day (Black Friday) as shoppers caused back-ups along I-87 between the Shopping Complex access and I-287. In 2009, the New York State (NYS) Police used the data provided by the I-95 Corridor Travel Time website, along with data from the New York 511 website to assist in managing traffic congestion in the area. A NYS Police surgeon was aware of the VPP data through his involvement with the I-95 Corridor Coalition’s Incident Management Program Track. With assistance from the NYSDOT transportation management center (TMC) operators and NYS Thruway Authority staff, the NYS police were able to look at the trouble areas and determine if/when to implement changes such as closure of full parking lots, ramp closures to prevent backups onto the freeway, and activation of advance variable message sign (VMS) messages to alert motorists of the changes ahead. Using this data, the police were able to reduce by half the traffic queues experienced in other years. In addition, the I-95 Corridor Travel Time and New York 511 websites helped to conserve State Police resources by identifying issues on the website before dispatching state troopers to the scene.
Application Areas
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Freeway Management > Surveillance > Traffic
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Arterial Management > Surveillance > Traffic
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Freeway Management > Information Dissemination > Dynamic Message Signs
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Freeway Management > Special Event Transportation Management > Occasional Events
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Traveler Information > En Route Information > 511
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Traveler Information > Pre-Trip Information > 511
Intelligent Transportation Systems > Traffic Incident Management > Information Dissemination > Dynamic Message Signs
States
None defined
Countries
Systems Engineering
Show the V
Concept of Operations
Systems Engineering Project/Technical Management
Focus Areas
Major Initiatives > Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems
Major Initiatives > Integrated Corridor Management Systems
Major Initiatives > Emergency Transportation Operations
Other Program Activities > 511 Travel Information
Other Program Activities > Amber Alert
Other Program Activities > Public Safety
Other Program Activities > Real Time Traveler Information
Other Program Activities > Rural ITS Deployment
Goal Areas
Safety
Mobility
Productivity
Efficiency
Customer Satisfaction
Keywords
CCTV, closed circuit television cameras, road monitoring, sensors, vehicle detector, traffic detection, traffic monitoring, congestion monitoring, DMS, CMS, VMS, Changeable Message Signs, Variable Message Signs, planned special events
Lesson Comments
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