Example Applications

The major advantage to our technique is that is reflects the actual behavior of drivers, so it allows traffic engineers to observe the effect of the current distribution of traffic controls. Our segment labelling component enables the following three applications:

1.

Populate a map database with traffic controls as motorists react to them. There is no need to manually encode information from paper maps or observation, or to integrate information from local, county, state, and national agencies. There is no danger of outdated information or data entry error. In a scenario where GPS traces are available for many cars, adequate coverage for a target area may be built up very quickly.

2.

Detect road incidents by monitoring changes in driver behavior. If drivers on a segment that had previously been labelled clear begin to behave as if there was a stoplight or stop sign, there may be an accident or other traffic interruption. If drivers on a segment with a stoplight act as if it was a stop sign, the stoplight may be broken.

3.

Assist in redesigning road networks to improve traffic flow. If a segment is clear, but is often relabelled as a stoplight, it is a good candidate for installing stop lights to reduce congestion. Alternatively, traffic engineers may define the acceptable characteristics of stoplights and stop signs, using the metrics defined in Section 2.1. If analysis shows that a particular intersection's characteristics are unacceptable for its label, the engineer may consider redesigning the intersection. If a suitably accurate traffic flow simulation is available, hypothetical road configurations may be tested.