TRAFFIC NETWORK CONDITION MONITORING VIA MOBILE PHONE LOCATION REFERENCING- AN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY

ABSTRACT: Advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) constitute one of the key elements of ITS. ATIS consist of three basis functional capabilities, namely: obtaining traffic network data from various sensors/sources; estimating the traffic condition (e.g. travel time) of each road segment within the network; and disseminating this information to travellers. A great deal of research conducted over the past decade has examined various aspects of these functional capabilities. However, currently the most significant factor limiting the wide spread deployment of ATIS is the lack of a cost effective method of obtaining data reflecting network travel conditions. Recent advances in wireless communication technologies provide the capability to autonomously determine the location of wireless communication devices (e.g. mobile phones). This capability provides an opportunity to acquire large quantities of traffic data without the need to deploy a large and costly network of dedicated traffic sensors. To date, such a system has not been deployed in North America. However, a number of projects, including a recent project in Ottawa, Ontario, have been initiated to examine the feasibility of such an approach. This paper explores the potential that such an approach could have in terms of supporting traffic management and traveller information services. Specifically, this paper examines the key technical challenges that must be overcome before such a system can be implemented