Methods used to evaluate the impact of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) services on road safety are usually based on expert assessments or statistical studies. However, commonly used methods are challenging to apply in the planning process of ITS services. This paper presents the methodology of research using surrogate safety measures calculated and calibrated with the use of simulation techniques and a driving simulator. This approach supports the choice of the type of ITS services that are beneficial for traffic efficiency and road safety. This paper presents results of research on the influence of selected scenarios of variable speed limits on the efficiency and safety of traffic on the sections of motorways and expressways in various traffic conditions. The driving simulator was used to estimate the efficiency of lane-keeping by the driver. The simulation traffic models were calibrated using driving simulator data and roadside sensor data. The traffic models made it possible to determine surrogate safety measures (number of conflicts and their severity) in selected scenarios of using ITS services. The presented studies confirmed the positive impact of Variable Speed Limits (VSLs) on the level of road safety and traffic efficiency. This paper also presents recommendations and plans for further research in this area.
While there are many examples of Intelligent Transport System deployments in Poland, more attention should be paid to traffic incident management and detection on dual-carriageways and urban street networks. One of the aims of CIVITAS DYN@MO, a European Union funded project, is to use TRISTAR (an Urban Transport Management System) detection modules to detect incidents at junctions equipped with traffic signals. First part of paper provides an overview of urban incident detection methods and algorithms. Second part of paper describes how the TRISTAR system infrastructure and software are currently used for detecting incidents on urban artery sections (with higher speed limit). Because the need to detect incidents on other arteries was identified, research were undertaken that will lead to the development of algorithms for the detection of incidents on the streets equipped with traffic signals. The initial results of simulation studies (using VISSIM software) are presented in the third part of the paper. Their objective was to initially select parameters for detecting incidents at junctions equipped with traffic signals. Further research will look at a fusion of variables and possible other variables that may develop the algorithms.
The current assessment of the impact of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) services on the level of traffic safety and efficiency is based mainly on expert assessments, statistical surveys or several traffic safety models requiring development. There is no structured, uniform assessment method that would give the opportunity to compare the impact of ITS services and their different configurations. The paper presents the methodology for researching the effectiveness of ITS services implementation using transport models and key indicators allowing such an assessment. An approach was used in which the impact of ITS services is analysed using macro, meso and microscopic models. Macro and mesoscopic models allow estimation of the impact of ITS services on the efficiency of transport network operation and constitute the basis of analyses at the microscopic level, which takes into account the behaviour of drivers through the use of car following and lane change models. As part of the analyses, road network test models (for motorways and expressways along with an alternative route) were developed. Test models include road class, network topology, and different traffic intensity. The models were calibrated using real data (data from the traffic measurement station, data measured in the field, traffic distribution data from the VIATOLL charging system) and data from the vehicle simulator.
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