America Needs SMART Traffic Management

America Needs SMART Traffic Management

© David Burton 2018

Smart Traffic
 


     America’s roads, streets and highways are rapidly becoming clogged with snarled traffic as more and more vehicles take to our roadways. We pollute the air, waste time and energy and put up with ever-increasing frayed nerves. The solution is complex and will take decades and trillions of dollars to implement. We need more and better roads, more fuel-efficient vehicles and a greater use of public transportation. Another important element in solving our growing vehicular transportation dilemma is that of Smart Traffic Management (STM).

     A major part of Smart Traffic Management involves an adaptive computer-controlled system that takes advantage of the advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer technology that have taken place since the limited computer-controlled traffic signal systems that were hurried into place during the Arab oil embargoes of the 1970’s.

     Such systems combine traditional traffic lights with arrays of sensors and artificial intelligence to efficinetly route vehicle and pedestrian traffic. These systems continually adapt to current traffic conditions as opposed to the static traffic management systems in use today. Most current traffic controls utilize a fixed set of timing rules that do not adapt to changing traffic conditions. A modern Smart Traffic Management system will reduce pollution, reduce fuel consumption, and speed up traffic flow. It will do so by reducing traffic congestion, by smoothing traffic flows, and by prioritizing traffic in response to demand. It will eliminate stop-start driving, which is inefficient and polluting.

     As opposed to the environment which existed an the 1970’s, today we have GPS, cellphone communications, smartphones, video surveillance cameras, infinitely more powerful and cheaper computer power, a burgeoning artificial intelligence technology, and many more technological advances. Shortly, we will add intervehicle communications to the panoply of technologies available. In-ground sensor systems have been installed in some locations around the world, allowing intelligent traffic systems to wirelessly communicate with software in a secure cloud infrastructure. This can provide data on daily traffic, volume and capacity, and vehicle speeds, plus signal timing tools to better manage traffic.[1]

     Starting with Arab oil embargoes of the 1970’s, the federal government began to take action to reduce the fuel consumption of vehicles on the highways of America. A side effect of this effort was the beginning of the reduction of environmental pollutants created in the exhausts of these vehicles. Speed limits on our highways were imposed and some feeble attempts at traffic light synchronization were made. Large trucks added air flow streamlining panels and auto makers began to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles. “When Congress enacted the CAFÉ {Corporate Average Fuel Economy} statute in 1975, it {simply} sought to push the automakers to build high-mileage vehicles to defend against serious fuel shortages and skyrocketing pump prices caused by the Arab oil embargo of 1973.” (Ref. 2)

     Over the past 4 decades, the U.S government has mandated fuel efficiency standards for automakers – at first to reduce fuel consumption and today, primarily to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses. The Obama administration was demanding that auto makers increase average gas mileage to 54.5 miles per gallons by 2025 in order reduce hydrocarbon emissions with the goal of reducing or slowing global warming and improving the environment. Realistically however, Obama's fuel economy mandate was little more than a thinly disguised electric car mandate, since hitting that level would have required a substantial increase in electric vehicle sales. As it stands, there are only a handful of gasoline-powered cars that could potentially go more than 54 miles on a gallon of gas and consumers would almost certainly not like the performance, comfort or safety of those vehicles.[3]

     But, in August of 2018, the Trump White House announced that it was “moving ahead on its much-anticipated plan to roll back the fuel economy mandate set by the Obama administration. . .
     “The previous guidelines, which were reached during Obama's first term, {called} for automakers to steadily reach a fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 — though with credits and other modifications, the actual figure {was} expected to wind up in the low to mid-40 mpg range. . . . the new standard would be frozen at 2020 levels, around 37 mpg.” (Ref. 4) This standard is both realistic and attainable.

     Instead of publishing unrealistic feel-good fuel economy standards, the U.S. government needs to mandate realistic fuel economy standards AND do its part by investing money in such efforts as the mandating AND funding of STM systems throughout the country.

     Today, we are wasting billions of dollars driving on our highways. To fix the problems will be very expensive. It has been reported that “42 percent of America’s major urban highways remain congested, which costs an estimated $101 billion in wasted time and fuel annually. [Emphasis mine]
     “. . . in order to improve US roadways, the nation would have to invest $3.6 trillion, which could save resources and create jobs and safer roads.” (Ref. 5)

     Smart Traffic Management systems are currently being introduced throughout the world on a trial basis and on relatively small scales. What the United States needs is a national Smart Traffic Management program to upgrade vehicular transportation throughout the country. We need a program similar to the Eisenhower Interstate Road Program of the 1950’s and a concerted effort similar to the Apollo Moon Project of the 60’s and 70’s.

     Examples of STM programs that have been initiated are summarized in the following: (Ref. 6)

     The city of Toronto, Canada recently announced the launch of two smart traffic signal pilot projects to independently adjust to real-time traffic conditions.
     Unlike standard traffic signals that are fixed to a set timing cycle for morning and afternoon rush hours and off-peak times, the new smart signals will be able to adjust traffic signals independently to respond to real-time traffic patterns at any time of the day. They can also communicate and synchronize with other smart signals in the vicinity to alleviate congestion.
     Toronto will test two technologies during 2018 to determine which works best for Toronto. The city will pilot a technology which makes decisions based on video-analysis camera detection that measures queue lengths on the approach to the intersection and relays that data a control point.
     The second smart traffic system that will be tested is a technology that makes decisions using radar detection to measure traffic flow at intersections.

     In 2017, Miami-Dade County approved a project to install smart traffic signals at some of the county’s roadways. It used a new technology to operate traffic lights according to the changing flow of vehicles.
     The traffic controller used next-generation, web-based user interface traffic control software. It was designed to expand traffic control capabilities and prepare agencies for the upcoming demands of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) and smart city traffic control systems.

     Another example of Smart Traffic Management initiatives comes from Shenzhen, China and is described below: (Ref. 7)

     Shenzhen in China has a population of approximately 21 million, and like many of the world’s other large cities, it faces growing pains, particularly traffic congestion. Because it has the highest vehicle density in China, the conflict between people, vehicles, and roads was an increasing problem.
     Shenzhen adopted "Big Data" methods of translating data into solid plans and encouraged public participation As a result, a series of standardized service innovations, such as the "zipper merge" and reversible lanes was introduced.
     A more efficient and intelligent traffic management technology architecture — a city-wide traffic brain – was introduced. This traffic brain is based on high-level design principles that help to comprehensively plan the urban traffic system. The plan includes cutting-edge technologies such as video cloud, “Big Data”, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to build a unified, open, and intelligent traffic control system.
     "Big Data" was used to create a unified data collection, analysis, and processing platform to achieve higher levels of information resource sharing, integration, and utilization. As a result, the analysis of traffic data made it possible to deliver more high-quality and efficient traffic services.
     The use of this "Big Brain" technology has resulted in: 1) an ultra-broadband traffic network that uses a high-speed optical communication network, 2) full awareness of city-wide traffic using a road monitoring system that can detect traffic conditions through license plate identification, video surveillance, and other methods with a detection accuracy rate of up to 95%, 3) AI-assisted law enforcement technology which permits a response to checkpoint data within seconds, 4) Improved crime fighting efficiency based upon traffic-analysis modeling to create multiple reports of disqualified driving, drunk driving, and cars with multiple violations. Vehicles with false license plates, scrapped vehicles, and vehicles with multiple violations have almost disappeared from the streets of Shenzhen, 5) Improved travel experience because of the use of a real-time surveillance system for all signal-equipped intersections. Also, a precise traffic signal control model based on the traffic time-space software engine was developed, which precisely establishes lanes through intersections, and organizes traffic flow.

     “Although adaptive signal control has demonstrated economic and customer satisfaction benefits—reducing travel time, delays, and stops—and has been used abroad for more than three decades, most jurisdictions in the United States still use fixed-length, time-of-day traffic control systems. A major barrier to wider adoption of ‘smart’ traffic control systems has been cost: initial investments in signal control hardware, communication networks, and comprehensive traffic studies, as well as the cost of periodic updates to adjust systems to changing traffic conditions. {For this reason}, it is essential that the universal introduction of smart traffic controls in the United States, be driven and financed (in large part) by the federal government. [Emphasis mine]
     “Both conventional and adaptive systems require periodic traffic studies and recalibration. Improvements in technologies associated with adaptive traffic control have paved the way for a next generation of adaptive systems that may spur broader implementation. Hardware memory and processors, including add-on processor boards for legacy hardware, now offer more powerful computing resources at a reasonable cost. Detector technology is also presenting new possibilities, including small, wireless, individual detectors. Finally, the presence of high-bandwidth communications networks in more locales creates new communications possibilities for transportation agencies.
    - - -
     “The goal . . . is an intelligent system that continuously adapts its operations to changing traffic conditions via high-speed communications with vehicles and infrastructure. This system {would use} self-adaptive algorithms to integrate the position, speed, and queue data received from vehicles and infrastructure sensors and transmitters, accurately perform high speed computations, make predictions, and continuously adjust its critical parameters based on incoming data—a strategy of monitor, learn, predict, and respond optimally.
    - - -
     “Ultimately, it is envisioned, self-adaptive control systems that communicate with moving vehicles and intelligent infrastructure will perform many functions to improve mobility and safety:

  • Gather coordinates, class, speed, and service requests from . . . vehicles.
  • Send traffic advisories directly to vehicles and . . . provide in-vehicle control, improving safety.
  • Communicate planned signal durations, levels of congestion, and incident information to traffic operations centers for use by incident management teams, traffic information systems, and maintenance crews.
  • Provide selective priority to and exchange information with emergency and transit vehicles and . . . provide appropriate service and priority direction to all vehicles.
  • Collect data that can be used in local and regional planning models and traffic forecasts.” (Ref. 8)
     “Advances in infrastructure-based and mobile-sensor technology promise to offer new and substantial capabilities in measuring traffic speeds, volumes, origin–destination pairs, and other data that enable improved traffic control.” (Ref. 9) Just imagine what today’s and tomorrow’s technologies can and will be able to do for America’s roads and vehicles.

     A nation-wide Smart Traffic Management system must be a cooperative effort between federal, state and local governments, as well as with with industry and the nation’s universities, colleges and their research organizations. Only the federal government, however, possesses the financial resources, the legislative authority, and overall scope to lead the development of this enterprise.

     In one study, the size of the North America intelligent traffic management system was estimated at $3.3 trillion. (Ref. 10) Below are the results of this study which spans the period 2013-2014.

     In the coming years, increasing demand to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety is expected to be a key factor driving the growth of the Smart Traffic Management industry. Reducing vehicular congestion for better utility of transportation capacity through the exchange of real-time information on traffic conditions and infrastructure will be critical. Deployment of advanced safety systems, including vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, technologies associated with collision avoidance technologies, and autonomous vehicles including systems using cellular technology will evolve as part of the program. STM systems will help in reducing congestion and ensuring efficient use of road space. Improved traffic efficiency enables transportation authorities to respond to emergency incidents more quickly. Usage of such systems maximizes efficiency in traffic management and shortens travel duration. Also, the use of public transportation utilizing STM results in the reduction of airborne pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions.
     The rapid decline in the cost of telecommunication systems is expected to reduce costs. Traffic control strategies have become focused on real-time data while also addressing impact criteria such as emission control. Integration of a STM system with energy distribution and charging systems is expected to provide better information to transportation users and planners.
     Already, demand for dynamic traffic management systems that utilize data gathered by multiple cameras, sensors, and software has grown exponentially. The currently evolving systems help operators control traffic logistics cost, eliminating security risks, and mitigating problems associated with traditional existing systems.
     Smart Traffic Management systems can control and monitor traffic signals to reduce congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow. Usage of STM to reduce road accidents and increase safety will contribute to market growth. Moreover, growing government initiatives to improve traffic flow, increase transportation system efficiency, increase economic productivity, enhance mobility, and reduce negative environmental effects will support and stimulate the STM market.
     Soaring demand for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication to enhance road safety is expected to drive market growth. V2V and V2I technologies are used for sharing information to enhance safety through driver awareness, improving intersection conditions, and augmenting signal timing.
     Intelligent driver information systems are expected to register a very high growth rate between 2017 to 2024. These systems find use in increasing the operational efficiency of public transit systems as well as boosting overall safety. They do so by providing bus arrival notification times, real-time passenger information, and automatic vehicle location.

     Emergency vehicles can already control traffic lights to allow them to get to their destinations without having to stop at traffic lights. All commercial aircraft and many private airplanes utilize radar, transponders, GPS, and advanced communication equipment. Installing similar equipment on all vehicles on America’s roads will totally change the highway/road/street transportation system in our nation. Look at the advertising of today’s newest cars in America - this process has already begun! Autonomous vehicles are already being introduced onto America’s roadways. The technologies being developed for these vehicles needs to be coupled with Smart Traffic Management systems, AND those technologies that are found to be successful on autonomous vehicles need to transferred into non-autonomous vehicles.

     A few of the more far-out predictions for future Smart Traffic Management advances include: “Glow in the dark roadways: Roads will be marked using photo-luminescing powder that ‘charges’ during the day and glows green for eight hours every night. . . . Advanced car-to-car communication: Cars equipped with electronic communications will be able to sense one another and adjust automatically to maintain safe distances on a large scale. Legal speeds could increase to above 90 miles an hour . . . Solar Roadways: Imagine a highway with solar panels made out of glass, complete with LEDs and microprocessors. But why glass? Well, it’s renewable, environmentally friendly, and strong, and the smart surface can be engineered to detect debris falling on the roadway as well as melt snow. . . Self-driving cars: Google says its driverless cars have already driven more than 1.5 million miles, and . . . driverless cars will fill the roads within 10 years, but if you live in certain areas, they will be on the road in two.” (Ref. 5)

     Another far-out technological advance for America’s future Smart Transportation Management system that is already being tested is something called “smart roads: highways studded with sensors that monitor wear and tear and ‘feel’ vehicles like fingers on a touchpad, and that are connected to the internet to alert motorists to traffic jams and automatically summon help when accidents occur.
      - - -
     “{Colorado’s} Department of Transportation will begin the first test in the U.S. of smart road technology along a half-mile stretch of . . . Highway . . . During the five-year test, the existing road surface will be covered with factory-made concrete slabs featuring wi-fi connectivity and embedded fiberoptic cables that act as pressure sensors.
     “. . . the technology will drastically enhance safety for motorists.
     "If you've driven off the road, smart pavements can detect when and where this happened and automatically send an alert to the emergency services to come help you. This will rapidly shorten the time before people get help.
     “{In addition, the Colorado} Department of Transportation will test smart road surface along a half-mile stretch of . . . Highway . . .
     “The smart slabs are also designed to connect to motorists' cellphones to provide real-time alerts about traffic and road hazards. . .” (Ref. 11)

     With Smart Traffic Management, “Cars of the future will be smarter and safer. They will be able to monitor the alertness of the driver and communicate with each other to avoid collisions. On-board computers are already creating a huge amount of data and as big data analytics improve, further trends and inefficiencies will be identified.
     “Vehicles will also be able to communicate with each other about traffic, weather and road conditions and warn the driver about potential safety hazards. In the future, systems could automatically take over braking or steering if they sense an imminent accident. Advanced sensors within the vehicle could also monitor a driver's heart rate, eye movements and brain activity to detect issues ranging from drowsiness to a heart attack. (Ref. 12)

     Too often in today’s headlines, we read of horrific accidents created by wrong-way drivers on our high-speed highways. Tomorrow, oncoming drivers would be immediately warned of the danger AND signals could be sent to turn off the engine of the wrong-way vehicle before the impending disaster. A similar process could be employed to terminate high-speed police chases. Accidents could be reported in near-real-time and traffic would then be almost instantly rerouted to avoid traffic jams. And the list of benefits goes on and on. We have the technology to start this now! What we don’t yet have is the will, the mandate and the funding. Let’s get started now – not next year, not tomorrow, but now! Let’s turn the vehicle makers, the engineers, the scientists, the traffic planners, and the transportation geniuses loose like we did on the Apollo project. Let’s set a time-certain date to complete the first phase of this adventure and let’s go forward with the attitude that “Failure is not an option!” America needs SMART traffic management now. There are too many traffic death and injuries in our country. There is too much time and fuel wasted on our urban and suburban streets at traffic lights and traffic jams. America, let’s get smart and let’s end all of this.

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References:
  1. Drive improved traffic flow with smart traffic technology., enterprise.verizon.com, Accessed 15 November 2018.
  2. John McClaughry: The fuel economy mandate battle, John McClaughry, VTDIGGER, 13 August 2018.
  3. Trump Dismantles Another Obama 'Achievement' — Just One More To Go, Investor's Business Daily,
    3 April 2018.
  4. Trump administration moves to revoke Obama-era fuel economy standards, Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News,
    2 August 2018.
  5. What will America’s roads and highways look like in the future?, Sam Francis, Robotics and Automation,
    16 July 2017.
  6. Three smart traffic initiatives in North America, Juan Pedro Tomás, Enterpriseiotinsights.com, 12 February 2018.
  7. Shenzhen Creates ‘Traffic Brain’ for Safe City Driving, Li Qiang, https://e.huawei.com,
    Accessed 15 November 2018.
  8. Next-Generation Smart Traffic Signals, www.fhwa.dot.gov: Publication No. FHWA-HRT-09-063 HRTM-04/08-09(1M)E, Accessed 13 November 2018.
  9. Next Generation Traffic Control Systems , Tom Morton, fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/ear/15085/15085.pdf, Accessed 15 November 2018.
  10. North America Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) Market Analysis Report By Solution Type (Traffic Monitoring System, Traffic Signal Control System, Intelligent Driver Information System), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2024, Grand View Research: Report ID: GVR-2-68038-343-0, March 2018.
  11. Smart road technology could turn highways into crash-sensing 'touchpads', David Cox, NBC News,
    26 June 2018.
  12. What The Roads Of The Future Could Look Like, Amanda Macias, Business Insider, 3 December 2014.

 


  24 November 2018 {Article 342; Undecided_58}    
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