Commercial Operations

Optimization of adaptive traffic signal timing is one of the most complex problems in traffic
control systems.  Conventional optimization methods, including calculus-based, enumerative,
and random search methods, lack both the speed and robustness needed for such applications.  
PGAs have the potential to overcome these obstacles.  This paper describes an effort to apply
Parallel Genetic Algorithm (PGA) to optimize an adaptive strategy for traffic signal control.
A simulation testbed using the VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation model was developed
to evaluate the proposed PGA application by  comparing it with the fully actuated NEMA
traffic signal control. The results show that PGA can offer more  efficient and faster
optimization for the adaptive strategy in  terms of convergence speed and required
computation resources, especially under the more complex congested traffic conditions. The
simulation results show that the PGA-based optimizer for adaptive traffic signal control
outperformed the fully actuated NEMA control in all test cases.

HDR Engineering, Inc

Florida International University

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

International Electronic Machines Corporation, with funding from the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority,
has advanced the state of the art for using thermal infrared imaging in the roadside inspection of
commercial vehicles. Prior work has established that thermal imaging is an effective means for
identifying potential problems with brakes, tires, and wheel bearings. However, the need to
dedicate scarce human resources to actually conduct these thermal inspections has limited the
extent to which it has been adopted by authorities responsible for vehicle safety inspections.
IEM’s Smart Infrared Inspection System uses a variety of methods to extract relevant thermal
data from vehicles as they pass a pair of infrared cameras and by applying a set of rules to this
thermal data, is able to automatically identify vehicles that require additional inspection. This
paper reports on progress on this project, discussing current data collection activities and
development of rules for selection.

International Electronic Machines Corporation

Presented at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

The  I-91  ITS  Project  presented  a  number  of  design  and  procurement  challenges  which  were resolved within the Systems Engineering process. A key component of MassHighway’s approach was to solicit early and continuing involvement by regional stakeholders to promote widespread understanding  and  support  for  this  major  regional  transportation  and  economic  development project.    From  design  notice-to-proceed  through  the  selection  of  a  Design  Build  Entity  and finalization of a contract, the project has taken place over a period of more than two years and has  involved  a  number  of  different  stakeholders  and  working  groups  from  varying  technical backgrounds. The application of the Systems Engineering (SE) process to this project resulted in a number of benefits that advanced the project goals.

Massachusetts Highway Department

Jacobs Engineering Group

Presented at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, there is a concentrated area where seven major roadways
all converge within a condensed area. At a cost of over $1.02 billion, this seven-mile stretch
of roadway will be totally reconstructed to add capacity and managed lanes. The project is
known as the DFW Connector. The project will reconstruct seven highways, six
interchanges, and 10 bridges. This paper identifies how Intelligent Transportation Systems
(ITS) will be used to connect communities through smart transportation solutions and how
work zone ITS is being used to provide information to motorists to help with route choice and
provide advance warning of slowed or stopped traffic.

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 3-5, 2010, Houston, Texas

The application of Incident Management to the Dutch road network suffers from serious
problems in terms of availability of accurate and up-to-date information. In this paper we present
an approach aimed at diminishing the occurrence of misunderstandings. This approach is based
on the concept of network enabled capabilities. This technique allows for a fast and accurate
exchange of information.

University of Leuven

Capgemini

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York