Congestion In Urban Areas Research Articles

Traffic Congestion Detection Using YOLOv8 Algorithm With CCTV Data

Community development and growth according to data from the Central Java Statistics Agency regarding the number of vehicles in Central Java Province in 2021 is 20 320 743. The increasing growth of society has caused vehicle density which is a serious problem in urban areas. This study developed a congestion detection system using the YOLOv8 algorithm to analyze traffic density from CCTV footage. Automated detection of traffic congestion is a critical challenge in urban transport management. YOLOv8, a fast and accurate object detection algorithm, is used to identify vehicles and count their number in various areas of the highway. This information is then processed to assess road congestion conditions, with the aim of detecting congestion. The data obtained were tested on two road scenarios and traffic conditions to evaluate the performance of the system. The results showed that the proposed system was able to detect congestion with an accuracy level of 59.2% from several experiments. The use of YOLOv8 enables real-time detection with efficient computing resources, making it a potential solution for large-scale deployment. This research shows that the incorporation of advanced object detection algorithms such as YOLOv8 with CCTV data can provide an effective solution for traffic management in large cities. This system is expected to improve response to congestion, help control traffic, and reduce the negative impact of congestion in urban areas

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.

Evaluation of Traffic Congestion in an Urban Roads: A Review

Abstract: Urban traffic congestion significantly impacts economic productivity, environmental health, and residents' quality of life. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of traffic congestion in urban areas, focusing on recent innovations in traffic management, urban planning, public transportation, and technological advancements. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), incorporating real-time data and adaptive signal controls, have proven effective in reducing delays and improving traffic flow. The study underscores the importance of mixed-use urban planning in minimizing travel distances and traffic volumes. Expanding public transportation networks is highlighted as a critical strategy for alleviating congestion, with evidence indicating that cities with extensive transit systems experience lower congestion levels. Additionally, the environmental and health implications of traffic congestion are considered, linking high congestion levels to increased pollution and negative health outcomes. . Road construction as a policy intervention to reduce congestion is debated, with the understanding that road widening may sometimes increase traffic. Evaluating the technologies contributing to congestion is crucial for devising effective solutions. Urban transport is central to economic activity and the well-being of urban residents. The rising population and car ownership rates, coupled with unchanged natural land areas, exacerbate traffic issues, leading to accidents and increased carbon dioxide emissions. The article explores the complexities of urban road traffic, addressing transport infrastructure, organization, and the high share of car traffic. It discusses theoretical and practical aspects of traffic flow and design, as well as the role of driver behavior in traffic jams.

Accounting for taxi service conditions in estimating route travel time from floating car data using Markov chain model

Recognising the variations in driving behaviour between taxis in the empty and carry conditions is pivotal for enhancing the accuracy of route travel time estimations using floating car data. However, existing methods largely overlook this distinction. In light of this, this study aims to harness these variations for more precise estimations. Utilising taxi data, we segmented the information by service conditions and executed distinct estimations for each segment. The route travel time was deduced through convolutional operation, complemented by a Markov chain model to discern correlations between travel times across various links. Our innovative approach realised a substantial enhancement in accuracy. Notably, when accounting for distinct service conditions, there was a reduction of 51.44% in mean absolute error and a 46.83% decline in maximum percentage error. By providing more accurate and reliable travel time predictions, our methodology enables better-informed traffic management decisions. Accurate travel time estimations are essential for optimising traffic signal timings, planning efficient routing strategies, and managing road network usage. These improvements in traffic management can lead to smoother traffic flow, reduced travel times, and ultimately, diminished congestion in urban areas.

Perceptions on Public Transportation Safety Among Female Users in Malaysia

Public transport in Malaysia has grown through government investment aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in urban areas. However, the safety of women using public transport is often viewed as less significant and is generally treated as a universal design issue. Ironically, past research strongly indicates that women face safety and security concerns in public spaces and while using public transportation services, traveling differently from men in terms of mobility and accessibility. These gendered and socio-economic inequalities affect women’s choice of transportation mode, negatively impacting their overall health, safety, and well-being. These elements must be planned thoroughly to achieve inclusive planning and gender equality in transportation. The main challenges to women's mobility in Malaysia include gender-based violence and issues related to the safety and access to public transportation. This paper is based on a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) regarding public transport safety attitudes and perceptions among female users aged 15 to 70 in Malaysia, focusing on variables such as safety, women-friendly facilities, and expectations vs. perceptions. The findings highlighted gender-based issues such as sexual assault, harassment, and child trafficking as major concerns impeding women's access to public transportation services in Malaysia. Participation by stakeholders in the provision of a holistic and inclusive public transport infrastructure remains a bureaucratic obstacle in Malaysia's planning and implementation of public transport services. Public transportation strategies need to be holistic, ensuring that the physical design and other strategies employed prevent security breaches and provide a sense of safety, especially for women and children. Post-incident support by designated and relevant agencies is also crucial. Infrastructure improvements need to be accompanied by awareness campaigns and advocacy to cultivate a more secure environment for everyone in public spaces.

Failure Mechanism and Control Mechanism of Intermittent Jointed Rock Bridge Based on Acoustic Emission (AE) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC).

Deep foundation pit excavation is an important way to develop underground space in congested urban areas. Rock bridges prevent the interconnection of joints and control the deformation and failure of the rock mass caused by excavation for foundation pits. However, few studies have considered the acoustic properties and strain field evolution of rock bridges. To investigate the control mechanisms of rock bridges in intermittent joints, jointed specimens with varying rock bridge length and angle were prepared and subjected to laboratory uniaxial compression tests, employing acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. The results indicated a linear and positive correlation between uniaxial compressive strength and length, and a non-linear and negative correlation with angle. Moreover, AE counts and cumulative AE counts increased with loading, suggesting surges due to the propagation and coalescence of wing and macroscopic cracks. Analysis of RA-AF values revealed that shear microcracks dominated the failure, with the ratio of shear microcracks increasing as length decreased and angle increased. Notably, angle exerted a more significant impact on the damage form. As length diminished, the failure plane's transition across the rock bridge shifted from a complex coalescence of shear cracks to a direct merger of only coplanar shear cracks, reducing the number of tensile cracks required for failure initiation. The larger the angle, the higher the degree of coalescence of the rock bridge and, consequently, the fewer tensile cracks required for failure. The decrease of length and the increase of angle make rock mass more fragile. The more inclined the failure mode is to shear failure, the smaller the damage required for failure, and the more prone the areas is to rock mass disaster. These findings can provide theoretical guidance for the deformation and control of deep foundation pits.

Neural Network based Route Guidance Strategy in intelligent transportation systems

Traffic congestion in urban areas presents a significant challenge to efficient transportation and sustainable urban development. This paper introduces a Neural Network based Route Guidance Strategy to address the non-linear complexities of urban traffic flow. The strategy demonstrates its capability to optimize traffic flow in real-time by predicting the travel times of candidate routes. A comprehensive simulation study compares the performance of the Neural Network Strategy with traditional traffic management strategies, focusing on traffic flow efficiency, vehicle count stability, and route choice optimization. The results indicate that the Neural Network Strategy significantly enhances traffic management by stabilizing vehicle counts, reducing fluctuations in traffic flux, and achieving a more uniform distribution of vehicles. The paper concludes with an analysis of the experimental results, highlighting the integration of neural networks into traffic management systems as a promising approach to mitigating urban traffic congestion. Future research directions are discussed, emphasizing the potential for real-world implementation and the exploration of advanced neural network models.

RemoPark - Revolutionizing Parking System

The system proposed in this paper aims to eliminate inefficiency in current parking systems due to limited availability of spaces and lack of real-time monitoring creates significant user dissatisfaction and economic losses for parking facilities. This research aims to develop a smart parking application designed to optimize the usage of parking spaces, enhance user convenience, and provide comprehensive real-time monitoring. By offering real-time information on available parking spots, the application helps drivers save time and reduce frustration, particularly in congested urban areas. Features such as advance reservations and electronic payments streamline the process, minimizing the need for physical cash transactions and enabling users to secure parking spaces ahead of time. The implementation of this smart parking solution is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, improve space utilization, and significantly enhance the overall parking experience for users. Key Words: Smart Parking, Automated, Enhanced, Camera’s User-friendly.

Failure evolution and mechanism of ground collapse due to exfiltration of shallowly buried water pipeline

Exfiltration of defective water pipelines is one of the leading causes contributing to the frequent ground collapses in congested urban areas; hence, revealing the failure evolution and mechanism of this hazard is essential to its prevention and mitigation. In this study, comprehensive experimental model tests were conducted first to characterize the evolution of soil erosion and ground collapse due to exfiltration of shallowly buried defective water pipes and examine the effects of six critical parameters, i.e., opening size and location, pipe pressure and buried depth, groundwater level, and exfiltration condition. Three failure behaviors of strata around leaking waterpipe were identified, i.e., minor disturbance (slight), formation and collapse of an erosion cavity (moderate), and soil fluidization (severe). Moreover, the ground loosening zone induced by cavity collapse could be roughly estimated using the modified flow ellipsoid theory; soil fluidization would occur once the ratio of water pressure head inside the pipe to its buried depth was greater than 2. Subsequently, a validated computational-fluid-dynamics and discrete-element-method (CFD–DEM) coupling method was employed to explore the microscopic mechanism of cavity erosion under the exfiltration flow. It was disclosed that the formation and expansion of a temporary cavity resulted from internal soil erosion, including the emigration of massive fine particles and aggregation of coarse particles around the defective pipe. Finally, the numerical simulation results indicated that cavity erosion would be exacerbated by increasing flow velocity and particle size-ratio, reducing soil fines content, and changing the opening from the pipe crown to its invert.

Assessing the benefits of urban consolidation centres: an overview based on a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT Urban consolidation centres (UCC) have often been highlighted as a solution to reducing freight vehicle kilometres, emissions, and congestion in urban areas. However, previous studies have presented vastly different results regarding the environmental and social benefits when UCCs are implemented. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of research on the sustainability assessment of UCCs, to describe dominant themes, and identify why assessments differ. A systematic literature review approach employing a content analysis was used to create the overview and identify the dominant themes in the quantification of the sustainability benefits of UCCs. As a complement, a cross-case analysis was applied to compare the results and to identify underlying differences between the studies. The content analysis revealed three dominant themes, relating to: (i) modelling aspects, (ii) different UCC set-ups, and (iii) the different performance measurements applied. Furthermore, improved consolidation is often described as the largest environmental benefit of implementing UCCs but our results show that the largest benefit can be found in switching to more environmentally friendly vehicles. However, the cross-case analysis revealed difficulties in determining the benefits of implementing UCCs because the assessment of benefits differ vastly between studies. These differences can be explained by the different scope of the system and whether or not other measures were implemented alongside a UCC. This review also highlights seven important gaps in the research that can be used to guide future research, such as a lack of methodological diversity, since most studies employ mathematical modelling, as well as a lack of transparency regarding input and output data. This is a barrier when evaluating the benefits of introducing UCCs.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Tuned Vertical Isolation System for Seismic Risk Mitigation

Abstract Vertical isolation by dividing the building into two soft and stiff sub-systems benefits from the period shifts and the damping mechanism across the height. However, the displacement demand imposed on the soft sub-system is less applicable in congested urban areas. As a result, in this study, a hybrid system of vertical isolation system benefiting from a tuned soft subsystem divided into upper and lower portions is investigated. A parametric linear 3-Degree of Freedom (DoF) model of the system incorporating mass and frequency ratio of the sub-systems was introduced and analyzed by response spectrum in MATLAB. A closed-form solution for the system frequency and mode shapes was also established. Response spectrum analysis indicates increasing the Tuned Mass Damper (TMD)’s fundamental period to 2.5 times the soft sub-system’s, reduces its displacement to more than 40 percent. The Multi Degree of Freedom (MDoF) model of the system is parametrically generated in MATLAB. Time history analysis of the building subjected to 40 records with 2 and 10 percent probabilities of exceedance in 50 years compared with conventional vertical isolation reveals the lower soft sub-system displacement can be reduced up to 45 percent by shifting drift to upper stories. The innovative tuned vertical isolation by demonstrating superior control performance as comprises lower floors’ drift may be an applicable solution for adjacent high- and low-rise buildings.

A novel real-time data driven method for floating vehicle speed trend prediction

Traffic congestion in urban areas has become a major worldwide problem. As an important direction of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), traffic-speed prediction can help drivers better plan routes and shorten travel time according to IOT techniques, thereby effectively alleviating the problem of traffic congestion. Traffic speed changes dynamically over time, so forecasting using historical data may not be able to quickly adapt to sudden changes in traffic conditions, and predicted traffic conditions may lag behind. The use of real-time data can capture instantaneous changes in traffic conditions, which is more adaptable to different traffic scenarios. In order to further explore the advantages of using real-time data for traffic forecasting, a novel real-time Data Driven method for traffic Speed trend Prediction (2DSP) is proposed. The 2DSP method can predict the macro-level traffic speed trend (rising or falling) by using only near-real-time microscopic vehicle information, which effectively captures the dynamic changes in traffic speed. In addition, an adaptive time-slicing strategy based on traffic density is proposed. This strategy dynamically divides time slices based on traffic density, reducing the frequency of data processing and improving the user experience. The effectiveness of the 2DSP method is validated using two real traffic datasets of floating vehicles. The experimental results show that the 2DSP method has good potential for real-time traffic-speed trend prediction.

RF based Automatic Traffic Route Clearance System for Emergency Vehicle

Traditional time-based traffic management systems are often inadequate for addressing the complexities of modern urban traffic, resulting in delays for emergency service vehicles such as ambulances and fire services. This project proposes a wireless communication-based approach to alleviate ambulance congestion in urban areas, presenting an innovative traffic clearance system that is easily deployable and cost-effective. Keywords— Arduino, ESP 32 Microcontroller, Solar panel ,GPS,RFID Sensor.

Traffic Speed and Occupancy Occurrence on the Urban Expressway between Southbound and Northbound

Economic growth in developed nations often leads to a surge in transportation needs, particularly in large cities. This can manifest as increased accident rates, environmental degradation, social strain, and most notably, traffic congestion. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, balancing social, environmental, and economic considerations while prioritising public safety and health. The study contributes to the search for solutions by investigating traffic flow patterns on urban expressways. The research compares southbound and northbound lane speeds, analysing the relationship between speed and vehicle occupancy in both directions. By leveraging secondary quantitative data collected over seven consecutive days with Speedlane ProTM Counter Classifier radar technology, the study aims to identify potential causes of congestion. It is expected that the northbound lanes may experience higher traffic volume and greater variability compared to the southbound lanes. This research can inform traffic management strategies and contribute to reduced congestion in urban areas.

Locating Electrified Aircraft Service to Reduce Urban Congestion

The relentless expansion of urban populations and the surge in e-commerce have increased the demand for rapid delivery services, leading to an increase in truck traffic that contributes to urban congestion, environmental pollution, and economic inefficiencies. The critical challenge this poses is not only in managing urban spaces efficiently but also in aligning with global sustainability goals. This study addresses the pressing need for innovative solutions to reduce reliance on truck transportation in congested urban areas without compromising the efficiency of freight delivery systems. This study contributes a novel approach that leverages electrified and autonomous aircraft (EAA) cargo shuttles to shift the bulk of air transportable freight from road to air, specifically targeting underutilized airports and establishing vertiports in remote locations. By applying data mining techniques to analyze freight flow data, this research identifies key commodity categories and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) where the implementation of EAA services could significantly mitigate truck-induced congestion. The findings reveal that targeting a select few commodities and MSAs can potentially decrease truck traffic, with electronics emerging as the dominant commodity category, and cities like Los Angeles and Chicago as prime candidates for initial EAA service deployment. Stakeholders in urban planning, transportation logistics, and environmental policy will find this study’s insights beneficial. This work lays a foundation for future innovations in sustainable urban mobility and logistics.

Unveiling transportation disparities: investigating accessibility gaps in metropolitan cities using GIS—a case study of Alexandria, Egypt

IntroductionPublic transportation is essential to reduce pollution and traffic congestion in urban areas. However, in densely populated regions like Alexandria, characterized by high population density and limited road infrastructure, accessibility to diverse transportation options is crucial.MethodsThis study investigates the accessibility of public transportation modes, including railways and buses, and their interaction with informal transit. Questioning if public transportation alone will be sufficient for pedestrians or if the presence of informal transit is crucial, and whether all residents of Alexandria have their rightful accessibility for different transport modes, the goal was to establish an efficient and interconnected transportation network. A survey was conducted in cooperation with Transport for Cairo to investigate all transport routes throughout Alexandria, further using ArcGIS Pro to identify gaps in public transportation coverage.ResultsFindings revealed that public transportation alone is insufficient due to limited bus and railway coverage because of their fixed linear routes. Informal transit, like microbuses, plays a vital role in filling these gaps.DiscussionThe study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and sustainable transportation network that considers both formal and informal transit. These insights can guide policymakers and urban planners in improving public transportation in Alexandria and similar cities worldwide.

THE MEMORY OF IASI MONUMENTS RESTORED AFTER 1989: ELEMENTS OF URBAN SOCIOLOGY AND RESTORATION

The monuments of Iasi, from the perspective of urban sociology, are part of the social life, with human interactions, specific to congested urban areas. From the viewpoint of this discipline, the structures, changes, and problems of the Iași urban community provide elements for the planning and elaboration of urban conservation policies and the restoration of several monuments. In this sense, urban sociology uses a variety of analytical tools such as sociological observation, social theory, interviews, as well as other methods and techniques for the study of specific subjects, such as the relationships between individuals in the urban socialization process, demographic and economic trends, poverty, the effects of urbanization with all the negative aspects regarding the destruction of some monuments on feelings of social alienation and anonymity (elements studied in the Chicago School by Max Weber and George Simmel). The purpose of this paper is precisely to capture the feelings and their perception by the subjects investigated in this study.

Enhancing accessibility through rail transit in congested urban areas: A cross-regional analysis

The efficacy of urban rail transit in reducing the impact of road congestion is the subject of debate in policy and academic communities. Despite huge challenges arising from multifaceted factors such as data limitation, the recently released annual average congestion data enables us to empirically analyze the effect of urban rail transits in terms of their contribution to the average accessibility under road congestion. This paper presents a framework to evaluate the accessibility improvement benefit of urban rail transit under road congestion from a mean-field perspective. A cross-regional analysis in 43 Chinese cities demonstrates that the rail transit networks enhance the potential accessibility and contour accessibility by up to 5.07% and 12.09%, respectively. Besides, the accessibility improvement benefit largely depends on the road congestion level, rail network size, and layout of rail network. Furthermore, simulations on randomly generated rail transit networks indicate that the population coverage and proximity to roads are two structural determinants on the performance of rail transit. The proposed framework, together with the empirical findings, provides insights for city authorities to plan urban rail networks.

A Review of Deep Reinforcement Learning for Traffic Signal Control

Traffic signal control plays a vital role in effectively managing traffic flow and alleviating congestion in urban areas. Traditional methods for controlling traffic signals often rely on fixed timing plans or predefined algorithms, which may not be adaptable to changing traffic conditions. Reinforcement Learning is gaining traction as a favored data-centric method for adapting traffic signal control in intricate urban traffic networks. This article represents a conceptual review of recent studies and techniques that showcase the effectiveness of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) in enhancing the performance of traffic signal control. These improvements include reducing travel time, fuel consumption, and emissions. Additionally, we will delve into different algorithms and learning systems explored in research papers, such as multi-agent reinforcement learning and Deep Q Networks (DQN).

The Influence of Ring Roads on Traffic Characteristics in Urban Cities

Constructing ring roads is a traditional approach to alleviating traffic congestion in urban areas and enhancing road capacity. However, this solution is frequently inefficient in the long run. This study investigates different strategies for managing traffic congestion in urban areas and evaluates their efficacy. The text examines three situations where various methods were employed to address traffic congestion issues. These strategies are categorized into three distinct categories. The initial concept encompasses substantial engineering interventions, such as the establishment of ring roads, the creation of new roadways, and the enlargement of preexisting roads. Many cities are implementing push-and-pull strategies to optimize existing capacities and promote environmentally friendly transportation alternatives, thereby reducing car usage. These strategies include promoting public transportation, cycling, and walking, as well as modifying urban land use patterns to minimize the need for people to travel. These methods are successful in delivering long-lasting transportation solutions. Nevertheless, more than push-pull strategies are needed to adequately address traffic congestion, necessitating extensive engineering interventions to expand road capacity, particularly in cases of severe traffic in urban areas. The integration of these methods is categorized as the third principle. The utilization of ring roads also gives rise to numerous novel challenges, particularly in metropolitan areas. The predominant issue lies in the unregulated expansion of houses (urban sprawl) and inadequate public transportation. The problems identified of significant magnitude include Interconnectivity between different regions, the point where ring roads intersect, accessibility to housing, settlement amenities, and social challenges. The study determined that the third concept to tackle traffic congestion could be the most efficient approach for constructing ring roads in urban areas. To address the difficulties involved in the construction and development of circular roads, it would be beneficial to establish an organization that facilitates coordination among all stakeholders involved in the development of ring roads right from the outset. Urban Planning Directorates at the governorate level are responsible for carrying out this work in urban cities. In addition, rigorous enforcement of laws is also crucial for achieving desired goal.