Wireless Data Collection System for Real-Time Arterial Travel Time Estimation

To improve mobility and the efficiency of the transportation system we must improve operations and the management of the existing transportation infrastructure. However, without a reliable means to estimate travel times, the transportation system cannot be managed effectively. Travel time estimation is a necessary step for the evaluation of proposed highway or transit facilities to serve present and future land uses. A novel method for travel time estimation based on the collection of time-stamped media access control (MAC) addresses from Bluetooth-enabled devices has recently appeared in the literature. This new approach to estimate travel times offers a number of advantages…

To improve mobility and the efficiency of the transportation system we must improve operations and the management of the existing transportation infrastructure. However, without a reliable means to estimate travel times, the transportation system cannot be managed effectively. Travel time estimation is a necessary step for the evaluation of proposed highway or transit facilities to serve present and future land uses.

A novel method for travel time estimation based on the collection of time-stamped media access control (MAC) addresses from Bluetooth-enabled devices has recently appeared in the literature. This new approach to estimate travel times offers a number of advantages over more conventional methods, including lower costs of hardware and software, the volume of data that can be collected over time, and ease of implementation. The latter advantage makes this data collection method suitable for quick temporary or permanent deployment along different types of travel corridors, including interstate highways, freeways, and other principal and minor arterial systems.

This project will build on previous preliminary research done by Indiana, California, and Maryland demonstrating this concept. We plan to advance the state-of-the-art in travel time estimation by concentrating on two main objectives that combine elements of research as well as development. These objectives are:

1. The design, development and test of a field-hardened, integrated wireless data collection unit (DCU) for capturing time-stamped MAC addresses.
2. Develop procedures for data collection, data processing and data storage to protect citizens’ privacy.

The methodology to accomplish these objectives will require several steps, including a literature review of travel time estimation models and prior work in the area of privacy. We will also contact DOTs that have experience with travel time estimation using time-stamped MAC addresses. Next, we will develop functional and technical requirements for the design and development of the field-hardened data collection units (DCUs) and then assemble and test these units in the laboratory and in the field. Our project includes a specific task whose sole objective is the development of procedures for data collection, data processing and data storage to minimize (if not eliminate) the possibility of infringing on a user’s right to privacy.

The outcomes of the proposed research (both theory and applications) will be integrated into several courses currently taught by the research team at OSU. If funded, this project will also provide new opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in transportation-related research and to actively participate in the dissemination process through the preparation of scholarly articles and paper/poster presentations at national and international conferences. Finally, the execution of the proposed research could result in a number of benefits to DOTs across the country and users of the highway and arterial systems. These benefits include the ability to estimate travel times more accurately, improve the quantity and timeliness of travel time data, and reduced cost and complexity of the infrastructure needed to estimate travel times.