Actual Travel Time Research Articles

Analysis of Vehicular Travel Time along the Urban Corridor Using Bluetooth Based Data

There has been a tremendous increase in vehicular growth in the last few decades, which has increased congestion in urban areas. Travel time is one of the measures to understand the congestion levels of the urban corridors. The increased use of Bluetooth devices by vehicular drivers may enable the dynamic data collection of travel time through Bluetooth sensors in urban areas. In this context, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the travel time of vehicles using Bluetooth devices and check the reliability of this Bluetooth technology for traffic studies. To fulfil the stated objective, a Bluetooth application was installed on a smartphone in order to collect the vehicular travel time on a selected corridor. A video camera was setup for traffic data collection at a mid-block section, which is used for the validation of the collected travel time data. The K nearest neighbor (KNN) model was developed with travel time (TT) data. The average TT of cars and other vehicles is estimated and found to be higher in the evening compared to the morning. From the developed KNN model, it is also found that the predicted TT for the next time intervals shows that they follow the trend of the actual travel time data obtained from the Bluetooth app. From the results of this study, it is feasible to estimate the travel time in urban areas using Bluetooth devices, which is useful for engineers and planners for suitable policy decision.

Estimating travel time in the Helsinki region utilising sequential Bayesian inference

This paper explores application of Bayesian inference (BI) to dynamic travel time estimation in the Helsinki region. Accurate travel time prediction is crucial in a wide range of fields, including departure time and routing. Limited real-time data challenge modelling accuracy. To address this, this paper utilises BI, particularly sequential Bayesian inference (SBI) for evolving observed values. Incorporating 2018 real-time data and 2015 information as prior knowledge, travel time distribution will be updated. Validation yields a 4.0% mean absolute error between the updated 2018 distribution and actual travel time. Also, using the 2015 posterior distribution as prior by way of SBI yields a 4.6% mean absolute error. Results highlight that SBI is an effective tool for updating distributions. This paper underscores potential of BI in addressing data scarcity and enhancing accuracy of transportation models. By supplying precise travel time estimates, this approach benefits congestion relief and travel planning. With evolving travel time data, BI promises to advance transportation modelling.

Rainfall impacts on urban route choices by private vehicle users: insights from São Paulo, Brazil

Urban drivers frequently experience challenges posed by adverse weather conditions like heavy rain. Despite the influence of these conditions on individual travel behaviour, there is limited understanding of how various aspects of rainfall affect the route choices in urban trips. In this context, this paper aims to evaluate the impacts of different rainfall conditions on the route choice behaviour of private vehicle users. We propose a method to identify the specific routes taken by drivers, utilizing observed trips reproduced from a large-scale dataset containing license plate information recognized by speed device cameras. Path Size Multinomial Logit models penalizing routes that share common links were estimated based on a choice set comprised of routes with a maximum similarity threshold. Distance and the actual travel times in the routes were estimated using real-world data from a third-party company, and cumulative, average and maximum rainfall through each route of the choice set were obtained from data captured by meteorological radar. A case study in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, considered the average and maximum rainfall intensities, distance, and travel time in different models. The results indicate that both average and maximum rainfall intensities negatively impact the utility of routes. This research enables the identification of routes with the highest probabilities of being chosen during intense rainfall. Such information is valuable for implementing measures to minimize the impacts caused by adverse weather conditions in urban trips.

Improving parsimonious refraction interferometry through U-Net-based correction of first-arrival traveltimes

Parsimonious refraction interferometry (PRI) is a useful technique for generating dense virtual traveltimes when the seismic survey is performed with sparse acquisition geometry. However, PRI has limitations in accurately calculating the traveltimes of direct and diving waves, leading to inaccurate velocity structures when applying first-arrival traveltime tomography (FATT). To address this issue, we develop an improved approach using a deep-learning network called U-Net. We first examine the feasibility of our algorithm analytically through the traveltime interpretation of a simple model. Then, the U-Net model is trained on various data sets to learn the relationship between PRI results and actual traveltimes. Subsequently, the trained network corrects the traveltime errors of the PRI results. As a result, we can obtain accurate first-arrival traveltimes using only two shot gathers without additional information such as infilled shots. Our technique enables virtual traveltime corrections, allowing for improved FATT results, even in cases for which dense shots are difficult to deploy. Numerical results demonstrate that our method can achieve accuracy comparable to picked traveltime data, indicating its high effectiveness in increasing the resolution of FATT results. Our approach maximizes the cost-saving benefits of PRI and can be advantageous in obtaining high-resolution FATT results when dense shot geometry is unavailable.

Driving Risk Identification of Truck Drivers Based on China’s Highway Toll Data

Dangerous or illegal driving may disrupt the traffic safety management of public security organs, damage road infrastructure, lead to traffic accidents, or result in economic losses. This paper proposes a framework based on China’s highway toll data to identify dangerous or illegal driving risks, such as unfamiliarity with road conditions, overload, driving over the speed limit, fatigued driving, fake license plates, and other risks. The unfamiliarity with road conditions is identified with the frequency of driving routes. When the total weight of a vehicle and its cargo is greater than the upper limit of the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo, the vehicle can be judged as overloaded. When the actual travel time is less than the minimum travel time, it can be inferred that the vehicle has a risk of fatigued driving, driving over the speed limit, a fake license plate, or other risks. Two accidents are used to demonstrate the process of the proposed framework for identifying driving risks based on China’s highway toll data. Additional analysis proves that the proposed framework can be used to identify dangerous or illegal driving risks, and it provides a scientific basis for the traffic safety management of public security organs, reducing infrastructure damage, and avoiding the loss of national taxes and fees.

Enhancing passenger comfort and operator efficiency through multi-objective bus timetable optimization

<abstract> <p>The current public transportation systems predominantly rely on rigid schedules and service patterns, leading to suboptimal resource allocation that impacts both passengers and transit operators. This inefficiency results in the wastage of resources and dissatisfaction among users. The unsatisfactory passenger experience significantly contributes to the declining ridership, thereby diminishing revenue for transit operators. To specifically address these challenges encountered by Lhasa's public transportation system, we propose a multi-objective model for bus departure timetables. The model aims to synchronize the costs of passenger waiting time and bus operation costs concurrently, accounting for diverse constraints such as actual travel times, operational bus numbers, bus capacity limits, and arrival time distributions. In this research, we establish a multi-objective optimization model with the primary goal of maximizing passenger satisfaction while concurrently optimizing the revenue of the transit company. Implemented in Lhasa, China, we use the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-Ⅱ to derive Pareto fronts relevant for analysis. The research findings demonstrate a reduction in the frequency of departures by one bus within a one-hour timeframe. Additionally, a substantial 37% decrease is observed in both the count of buses not arriving at stations and the number of passengers waiting at these stations compared to previous timetables. These results suggest promising potential for significant benefits to both the transit company and passengers within the public transportation system.</p> </abstract>

Personalized route recommendation for passengers in urban rail transit based on collaborative filtering algorithm

AbstractThe rapid advancements in information technology and intelligent systems within urban rail transit (URT) systems have highlighted the need for more personalized route recommendations that consider passengers’ travel habits. This study aims to address this issue by investigating passenger travel routes alongside other passengers who share similar travel preferences, utilizing collaborative filtering (CF) techniques. The approach involves analyzing historical card data to assess passenger travel profiles, including actual travel time under crowded conditions. By considering both individual passenger preferences and the preferences of similar passengers, a CF algorithm is employed to offer personalized route recommendations. The Shenzhen metro is used as a case study to illustrate the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach surpasses traditional route recommendation methods by providing tailored suggestions that align more closely with passengers’ travel preferences. These findings emphasize the value of incorporating passenger travel preferences into route recommendation models, thereby enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of personalized route recommendations within URT systems.

Resilience Assessment Framework for an Urban Road Network Subjected to Disruptions

This research paper introduces a novel framework for assessing the resilience of urban transport networks. Traditional approaches to quantify resilience primarily focus on evaluating resilience based on the accessibility and vulnerability of network links. However, this study proposes a different approach by considering the dynamic role of links within the overall network, including their ability to accommodate additional traffic demand from other links. To accomplish this, a comprehensive scanning network approach is implemented using an iterative traffic assignment performed. The framework is applied to the urban transport network of Karachi, Pakistan. The model incorporates parameters for calibrations derived from volume delay functions, specifically alpha and beta, which are obtained from actual traffic travel times during free-flow and peak hours. The accuracy of the model is validated by comparing observed traffic counts at various locations with the simulated traffic volumes, resulting in an average error of 9% and a standard deviation of 7.4%. The study's findings reveal significant losses within the network and identify critical links that are particularly susceptible to disruptions. The analysis provides valuable insights into delays experienced by travellers and the additional distances travelled when specific links are closed. Furthermore, the framework enables the evaluation of the overall impacts of disruptions at the network level. The proposed methodology will allow traffic engineers and decision-makers to effectively plan rerouted through alternative links during disruptions.

The social equity and the spatial accessibility of general hospitals in big Chinese cities: an exploration based on different income groups and transportation modes in Shenzhen

Abstract Objectives: The rational planning and allocation of hospitals significantly improve residents’ health and quality of life. However, the unequal allocation of medical resources remains a significant issue in large Chinese cities. This study investigated the disparities in access to health care among different social groups in Shenzhen and explored the discrepancy in equity and its influencing mechanisms. Methods: The population was divided into 5 social groups based on housing prices: high-income, middle-high income, middle-income, middle-low income, and low-income. The actual travel times of residential neighborhoods and general hospitals under both driving and public transportation were accessed through the application programming interface Amap, a mapping technology application. The accessibility of general hospitals was calculated by the Gaussian-based 2-step floating catchment area method. The Gini coefficient was used to further investigate the equity in medical facility services. Results: Accessibility to first and second-level hospitals was adequate for the high-income group. However, a significant spatial mismatch in the allocation of hospitals was identified for the middle-low income and low-income groups, especially those reliant on public transportation. Conclusions: This study reveals an inequitable allocation of hospitals, with driving accessibility generally superior to public transport accessibility in Shenzhen, and a significant spatial mismatch for middle-low income and low-income groups. This study suggests optimizing public transportation around hospitals and middle-low income or low-income neighborhoods through urban planning to improve the accessibility of public service facilities for middle-low income and low-income households, thereby promoting more health equity.

Assessment of impact of priority movement for urban public passenger transport on the quality of passenger service

Problem. The article presents a view on solving the problem of the management formation measures to improve the quality of public transport services through the feasibility justification of implementing priority movement of urban public passenger transport in relation to the assessment of passengers' perception of the actual travel time along the route. Goal. The purpose of the work is to establish a characteristic relationship between the traffic parameters of route vehicles in the conditions of the priority of urban public passenger transport and time indicators of the quality assessment of passenger transport services. Method. The methodological basis for establishing a connection between traffic parameters in terms of the priority of urban public passenger transport and time indicators for evaluating the quality of transport service is a set of developed analytical models that describe the process of formation of passenger exchange at stopping points and time parameters of vehicle movement. Results. On the basis of the functional connection for the selected structure of the research object, it was established that the implementation of the urban public passenger transport priority with the organization of traffic on special lanes and unhindered passage of regulated intersections plays a significant role in improving the quality of passenger transport services. Originality. The assessment of the quality of transport service is based on establishing the level of compliance of each passenger's actual travel time with the previously planned. The use of travel time as a primary evaluation indicator is due to its leading role in the formation of quality criteria and the presence of influence on the parameters that determine the level of transport supply on the route. Practical meaning. The distribution of passengers at stops on route No. 24 «micro-district 602 – Akademika Pavlova subway st.» (Kharkiv, Ukraine) was obtained during modeling between the levels of perception of the quality of transport service showed that for everyday conditions, 8.9% and 27.8% of passengers (36.7% in total) receive a high-quality and suitable assessment, for traffic priority by sections – 32.3% and 64% (96.3% in total), when organizing priority passage at the intersection – 57.5% and 40.4% (97.9% in total). The obtained results indicate the expediency of implementing priority traffic from the standpoint of assessing the level of improvement in the quality of passenger service.

An Optimization Method for Equalizing the Spatial Accessibility of Medical Services in Guangzhou

Spatial equality of medical services refers to equal access to medical services in all regions. Currently, research on medical facility planning focuses mainly on efficiency, and less on methods for achieving medical facility access equality. In this study, we propose a medical service equality optimization method considering facility grade and Gaode actual travel time data. First, we use the maximum coverage location problem (MCLP) model to locate new medical facilities. Then, we incorporate a service capacity weight matrix reflecting medical facility grade into the quadratic programming (QP) model, with the objective of optimizing the bed configuration of each facility to maximize the spatial equality of medical accessibility. By measuring and optimizing medical accessibility in Guangzhou under different travel time thresholds, we analyzed the optimization results of central, peripheral, and edge areas. The results show that (1) the model significantly improves the spatial equality of medical accessibility. After optimization, fewer locations have very low (or low) and very high (or high) accessibility, while more locations have moderate accessibility. When the travel time threshold is 22 min, the number of locations with medium accessibility level increases by about 18.86%. (2) The higher the travel time threshold, the greater is the overall optimization effect. (3) Different regions have different optimization effects and a larger travel time threshold can improve the optimization effect of the peripheral areas more significantly. It is recommended that new medical facilities be built in the peripheral and edge areas, along with improvements to the transport system.

Evaluasi Kemiringan Jalan Tambang Terhadap Cycle Time Alat Angkut Pada Dump Truck Hino FG 235 JJ Tambang Batu Granit Di PT Aditya Buana Inter Kabupaten Bangka

PT ABI is a private company engaged in the granite mining business using the open pit method. The problem encountered is that there is a slope of the mine road that does not comply with the standards set by the company, namely ≤ 8%, the slope of the mine road, which is not suitable, makes the truck to produce large rimpull, which affects the overall distribution time. This study aims to evaluate and optimize the dump truck cycle time obtained. This research begins by calculating the actual travel time on 2 dump trucks in 40 trips, conveyance A gets 493.72 seconds and conveyance B is 495.75 seconds, the actual travel time on the haul road segment exceeds ≥ 8%, i.e. in the B-C segment which has a grade of 8.86% with an average travel time of 20.38 seconds and in the C-D segment which has a grade of 10.51% with an average travel time of 37.91 seconds. Obtained circulation time decreased by 5 seconds from 494.73 seconds to 489.69 seconds with a percentage increase of 1.04% after optimization, meaning that the conveyance can transport 89 tons more of material.

Study of the passengers average waiting time at public transport stops

When predicting public transport routes in cities, important indicators should be considered: the duration of stay on the bus route, passenger flow on the bus route, points of attraction and the passenger’s average waiting time at stops. These indicators are the basis for planning the operation of city transport. In particular, predicting the duration of traffic by studying the average passenger’s waiting time at stops is an important planning tool for transport companies. Therefore, this study can improve the quality of scheduled services by reducing the gap between actual and scheduled travel time. This article discusses this relevance and, based on experimental evidence, points to the benefit of using studies of average passenger waiting times, especially considering population groups. In fact, most of the factors which affect public transport operation, as had been proven by previous studies, follow a definite mathematical methodology. The analysis was performed using the data from field studies of passenger flow at bus stops (Lviv, Ukraine). The study of passengers at stopping points makes it possible to improve the quality of public transport services (calculate travel duration between stops and the duration of stay at them more accurately). The duration of stay at selected objects depending on a number of passengers was studied. Also, there are given the results of a study of the waiting time of public transport passengers at bus stops are given. A comparison of the dependence of the bus waiting time on population groups was obtained. After receiving this information, system operators can design and adjust the data according to the estimated trip duration. Nevertheless, it is necessary to carry out research at different types of stops in different parts of cities to clarify these data and for a more detailed analysis.

Dynamic Traffic Allocation Model Considering the Effects of Vehicle Emission Diffusion

Vehicle exhausts diffuse into roadside crowd breathing zones, thereby jeopardising human health. This study applies dynamic traffic distribution theories to comprehensively consider the impact of vehicle emission diffusion. The results provide a theoretical basis for improving the diffusion of urban traffic pollution to benefit the surrounding environment for roadside crowds. Firstly, a multi-vehicle cellular transport model that is suitable for analysing dynamic traffic distribution is constructed considering the distinct emission factors of various types of vehicles. Secondly, a multi-vehicle emission model is established to consider a range of driving conditions. Then, the concept of roadside crowd exposure risk is introduced, and we describe a method for calculating the total amounts of pollutants emitted by vehicles and inhaled by roadside crowds. The impact of vehicle emission diffusion is comprehensively discussed in terms of vehicle emissions and roadside crowd exposure risk. A generalised impedance function considering the influence of vehicle exhaust emission diffusion is also established based on the weighted average of actual vehicle travel time, multi-model emissions and roadside crowd exposure risk. Finally, this generalised impedance function is integrated into the dynamic optimal user allocation model, and a dynamic traffic allocation model considering the influence of vehicle emission control is developed.

Day-to-Day Dynamic Traffic Flow Assignment Model under Mixed Travel Modes Considering Customized Buses

In recent years, customized buses (CBs), a new form of public travel mode between bus and car, has sprung up in China. Its characteristics include flexible routes, each person having a seat and point-to-point travel have attracted travelers who seek high-quality travel, especially car travelers, alleviating traffic congestion at peak periods and leading to a change in urban travel modes. In addition to providing new travel modes, an exclusive bus lane (EBL) is also an effective means to alleviate traffic congestion. Therefore, this paper establishes link impedance functions under mixed travel modes considering the EBL, including customized buses on different kinds of links, and then presents a day-to-day dynamic traffic flow assignment model based on stochastic user equilibrium (SUE). Some conclusions were summarized by numerical case studies. First, the parameter of travelers’ sensitivity to route travel time affects the speed of traffic flow evolution. When it increases to positive infinity, the final state of the traffic network moves from SUE to deterministic user equilibrium (DUE). Second, the parameter on the degree of dependence of travelers on previous experience can not only influence the value size of actual travel time, but also influence the direction of actual travel time evolution. Third, conventional buses and customized buses have higher transportation efficiency than cars, but if the proportion of conventional bus travelers is too large, the total travel time of all travelers in the traffic network may increase. Fourth, when travel demands increase, the proportion of travelers who choose public transit is required to increase to achieve minimum total travel time. Lastly, from the perspective of the whole traffic network in any case, the EBL is not always beneficial. It is recommended to set EBLs when conventional buses and customized bus flows are heavy, which can be judged based on the model established in this paper.

Calculation of Theoretical Travel Time and Automatic Picking of Actual Travel Time in Seismic Data

We used the ray tracing technique based on the IASP91 Earth model to calculate the travel times in order to identify the phases. This technique can calculate the travel times for the seismic phases in the conventional travel time tables. The waveform data received from the stations in the Guangxi area are selected for analysis and discussion. The outcomes of the numerical modeling and its use demonstrate that there is good agreement in terms of the absolute differences between the calculated and theoretical travel times from the ISAP91 tables. The relative residuals are determined directly from the actual arrival times picking during the correlation analysis, and the validity of the travel time method for picking seismic phases by correlation analysis can be demonstrated.

Optimal shape for a rectangular warehouse with a lateral receive/ship dock

Purpose: This technical note provides the mathematical demonstration for obtaining the optimal aspect ratio for a rectangular storage area with a lateral receive/ship dock, representing the standard configuration of modern distribution centers and logistic warehouses. The proposed aspect ratio is the one that minimizes the travel times of operators, keeping the common assumption of a storage area having a uniform access probability.Design/methodology/approach: To obtain the optimal aspect ratio of the storage area we model the entry point of the uniformly distributed dock with a random variable with a continuous uniform distribution, and we consequently evaluate the average travel path of the operator as a function of the latter. Successively, we estimate and minimize the average roundtrip length of the operator, leading to the optimal aspect ratio of the storage area.Findings: We find that the optimal aspect ratio between the warehouse width (U) and length (V) equals 1.5. The obtained result shows that the operators’ travel times are minimized with a storage area where .Research limitations/implications: Warehouses with a dock on one side now represent modern distribution centers' standard configuration. However, no optimal aspect ratio for the storage area has been discussed. For this reason, the paper fills this lack of scientific literature in the warehouse optimization research field by providing indications on how to design this class of warehouses.Practical implications: Distribution managers may find here guidance for defining a proper design of logistics centers and evaluating the operators' actual travel times to perform a roundtrip within the storage area.Originality/value: Traditional warehouse shape optimization models assume a single input/output point to the storage area. To our knowledge, no formal demonstration has been proposed for a warehouse with a dock on one entire side.

Deriving Optimal Analysis Method for Road Surface Runoff with Change in Basin Geometry and Grate Inlet Installation

Road surface-runoffs have been analyzed using various approaches, but inaccurate analysis methods lead to overestimation of the drainage capacity, causing unexpected flood damage in low-lying urban areas. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of considering various parameters for accurate road surface-runoff analysis. This study involves road surface-runoff analysis using an enhanced approach considering simplified and modified drainage basin geometries, road surface and gutter flow travel times, and inlet interception efficiency as key parameters under various road conditions. The topographical road conditions were set as follows: Width (6 m), longitudinal slope of road (2–10%), road surface slope (2%), and transverse slope of gutter (2–7%). The results show that using a modified basin considering road slope conditions for estimating actual flow path length and travel time is better for flow analysis than the simplified rectangular basin. Additionally, the runoff analysis should consider the roadside inlet installation conditions, given that the bypass discharge (i.e., rainfall runoff that is not intercepted by upstream inlets) flows downstream and affects the downstream flow characteristics. Based on these results, an optimal road surface-runoff analysis method was developed, which is expected to be useful for road design.

Psoriasis care in Germany: do patients who receive better care travel longer?

BackgroundLarge variations in the quality of psoriasis care lead to patients being willing to bypass the nearest physician to receive higher quality of care. However, it remains unknown whether actual travel time is associated with quality of care. This study aimed to identify perceived quality of care determinants for travel time to the physician among patients with psoriasis in Germany. Furthermore, differences in access and perceived quality of care between urban and rural areas in Germany were analyzed.MethodsThis cross-sectional observational study based on patient-level healthcare data. Perceived quality of care and treatment satisfaction were assessed from the patients’ perspective. Travel time was estimated by the patients. Multiple regression analysis with the predictors patient characteristics, system-related variables, urbanity, and patient satisfaction with treatment, was applied to identify determinants of travel time with subgroup analyses for rural and urban areas.ResultsWe included 497 patients from 29 dermatological practices in Germany. There were significant differences in psoriasis care between urban and rural areas. Longer travel time was associated with lower age, higher income, higher number of consulted dermatologists since diagnosis, rural residence, more waiting time for the first appointment, lower dermatologist density, and higher patient reported treatment satisfaction.DiscussionThe results indicate an association between actual travel time and treatment satisfaction. Patients with higher perceived quality of care travel longer for their dermatological treatment. The results are also relevant to needs related planning.

Health Care Accessibility Analysis Considering Behavioral Preferences for Hospital Choice

Research on the potential accessibility of medical services has made great progress, but there is a large gap between the analysis results and the actual feelings of residents. With the refinement of urban management, the need for actual accessibility calculations reflecting the current status of medical service levels is becoming stronger. In modern society, as people work and live at an increasingly fast pace, people increasingly focus on time saving. However, in addition to travel time and distance, personal perceptions of medical facilities and access habits also influence residents’ choice of specific hospitals for medical treatment. With the combined effect of these factors, the actual status of accessibility of medical facility services is formed. In order to improve estimates of the actual accessibility and narrow the gap with residents’ subjective perceptions, this study leverages realistic data, such as real-time navigation prediction data that approximates residents’ actual travel time to hospitals and information on residents’ subjective behaviors in choosing specific hospitals for medical treatment. Finally, a new approach is proposed to further improve the existing Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (Ga2SFCA) method by fully respecting the important effects of distance cost and time cost, and combining them by using a weighted mean.