-Norm Path Flow Estimator for Handling Traffic Count Inconsistencies: Formulation and Solution Algorithm
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 6
Abstract
Path flow estimator (PFE) is a single-level network observer proposed to estimate path flows and origin-destination flows from traffic counts in a transportation network. The PFE model handles the traffic count inconsistency problem by allowing user to specify appropriate error bounds (or confidence interval) on the traffic counts. This approach, although flexible, introduces a systematic bias in underestimating the total demand when improper error bounds are specified. This paper presents an -norm PFE model that minimizes the systematic bias of the total demand estimate encountered in the PFE model by determining the least maximum absolute error needed to accommodate measurement errors and traffic count inconsistencies within the estimation process. A solution algorithm based on the dual formulation combined with a column generation procedure is developed for solving the proposed -norm PFE model. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the features and applicability of the proposed -norm PFE model and solution algorithm.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported in part by the California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH) program through Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDTO 5502. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the writers who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein and do not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsor.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 6 • June 2010
Pages: 565 - 575
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 26, 2009
Accepted: Oct 7, 2009
Published online: May 14, 2010
Published in print: Jun 2010
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