Travel Time Estimation Using Bluetooth: [Tech Summary]

2016Summary ReportSPR: TT-Fed/TT-RegPDFTech ReportSIO No. 30001396LTRC Project No. 13-2SSBluetooth technologyData collectionGenetic algorithmsNeural networksTransportation modesTravel behaviorMedia access control readersData and Information TechnologyHighwaysOperations and Traffic ManagementPedestrians and BicyclistsUnited StatesNational Center for Intermodal Transportation for Economic Competitiveness (U.S.)Wilmot, Chester G.Zeringue, Kirk M.National Center for Intermodal Transportation for Economic Competitiveness (U.S.)Louisiana Transportation Research CenterUS Transportation CollectionTravel time estimates are useful measures of congestion in an urban area. The current practice involves using probe vehicles or video cameras to measure travel time, but this is a labor-intensive and expensive means of obtaining the information. A potentially more efficient and less expensive way of measuring travel time is to use Bluetooth technology to track vehicle movement in a network. The kind of information this study wanted to obtain from the measurement of travel time was (1) overall congestion in an urban area, (2) the trend in overall congestion in an urban area, (3) individual locations where congestion is high, (i.e., identification of \u201chotspots\u201d), and (4) the level of congestion at hotspots.78