Analysis of Dynamic Transportation Systems

Abstract

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) have attracted much interest among researchers and practitioners in the past decade. The main objectives of ITS are to improve the efficiency of transportation networks, enhance traffic safety, and reduce delays and negative environmental effects by utilizing real-time or predicted traffic information. To this end, six system functions have been identified: advanced traveler information systems (ATIS), advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), commercial vehicle operations (CVO), advanced vehicle control systems (AVCS), advanced public transportation systems (APTS) and advanced rural transportation systems (ARTS). (In 1996, US DOT reclassified 29 ITS user services into six function groups, i.e., travel and traffic management, commercial vehicle operations, public transportation management, electronic payment, emergency management, and advanced vehicle control and safety systems. However, use of the previous acronyms persist.) The application of ITS technologies is characterized by the exchange of vast amounts of data among transportation system users, vehicles, transportation operators, and transportation infrastructure, which makes possible the warning and avoidance of congestion or hazardous conditions, automatic collection of tolls, efficient dispatching of trucks and buses, dramatic improvements in traffic safety and many other benefits. In order to advance the development of such technologies, both hardware and software components must become more sophisticated; otherwise, the full benefit of ITS cannot be attained.