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Dynamic Traffic Assignment Based Trailblazing Guide Signing for
Major Traffic Generator
Principal Investigator: Dr.
Fengxiang Qiao
Sponsoring Agency: Southwest
Region University Transportation Center (SWUTC), $28,000
Period: September
1, 2008 ~ August 31, 2009
Research Abstract:
Trailblazing guide signs, aiming
to direct the traveling public to Major Traffic Generators (MTGs)
which are normally located in the central core area (e.g.
downtown) of the town, can provide directional guidance on a
particular road facility from other highways in the
vicinity, and therefore enhance mobility and infrastructure
efficiency of the roadway system. Currently there is no
adequate quantitative analytical instrument on how these
signs direct road users progressively along the right route,
and what would be the distinction of impacts of unlike sign
placement plans. This research aims at developing a novel
and hybrid Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) and simulation
based model for a local optimal dynamic user equilibrium
(DUE) solution for trailblazing signs. The objectives of
this research are to: (1) develop suitable DTA algorithms
considering guide sign information on Major Traffic
Generators; (2) developed suitable simulator and test the
algorithm over suitable traffic networks; and (3) synthesize
DTA and simulation based procedure for the assessment of
trailblazing guide sign placement. The key technology is to
develop a novel hybrid analytical and simulation based model
that can be converged to a local optimal dynamic user
equilibrium (DUE) solution, together with an identified
simulator for traffic flow propagation based on the well
defined travel patterns. The developed algorithm and
resulted assessment procedure are not only awfully
imperative in trailblazing guide signing for MTGs, but also
indispensable in modern Route Guidance System (RGS) and
Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS), which are
important components of the Intelligent Transportation
System (ITS).
Research Information
For further information about the research, please contact Dr.
Fengxiang Qiao by telephone at (713) 313-1915 or by e-mail to
qiao_fg@tsu.edu.
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