Evaluating Advancements in Bluetooth Technology for Travel Time and Segment Speed Studies

Abstract

Application of Bluetooth technology has become ubiquitous in the current age of transportation research. The purpose of this article is to explore advancements of Bluetooth technology, applied to transportation studies, using performance metrics such as match rate, travel time, and segment speed through analyzing collected data from several Bluetooth devices. Specifically, the study explores the performance of two advanced Bluetooth devices coupled with classic Bluetooth technology: the demodulator (BT DM), and the low-energy Bluetooth signal additional component (BLE). Data were collected in two locations/phases: (1) along a 0.59-mi segment of interstate and (2) along a 0.52-mi segment of an urban arterial road in Baton Rouge, LA. The data collected were compared with benchmark data sets, gathered during the same period, using manual counts from video footage, radar data, and floating car data (FCD). Comparative analysis showed that BLE produced significantly higher matched rates than BT DM. Furthermore, BLE was able to maintain higher accuracy with increased levels of detection. Results of a Kruskal–Wallis test showed BT DM to have a statistically significant difference with FCD during only one out of three peak periods along the interstate segment. However, BLE matched closest with FCD along the interstate, but shared a significant difference with the benchmark data set during two peak periods along the urban arterial roadway. Considering the level of detection with the accuracy of travel times and segment speeds when compared with the benchmark data, it was evident that the BLE performed better than the BT DM.