Monitoring traffic congestion in urban areas through probe vehicles: A case study analysis

Abstract

We present a probe vehicles approach to evaluate traffic congestion in urban areas. The method is illustrated by a real case study in Bari, Italy. Global Positioning System (GPS) data generated by buses are transmitted via General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) to a control station, where they are used to analyze traffic conditions. Traffic indices are evaluated to provide an exhaustive view of roads congestion and imple-ment suitable control strategies. Thus, traffic administrators can efficiently manage sustainable mobility in cities and people can acquire awareness on traffic and public transport performance.