Methods for Defining Spatiotemporal Influence Areas and Secondary Incident Detection in Freeways
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 1
Abstract
The likelihood of the occurrence of secondary incidents is usually linked to primary incidents by using predefined spatial and temporal criteria. This paper extends past research on secondary incident detection by defining the dynamic thresholds of the influence area of a primary incident, using detailed freeway traffic data from upstream loop detectors. The dynamic thresholds are defined by using both analytical and empirical approaches. Results that use analytical approaches to track the spatiotemporal boundaries of the influence upstream of a primary incident offer influence curves of different characteristics (influence duration and maximum spatial extent) with respect to the prevailing traffic conditions. To accurately detect secondary incidents, an empirical method based on spatiotemporal speed evolution is applied that imprints influence areas with respect to their dissipation patterns. The results of the proposed approach are compared to those of five commonly used static and dynamic methods for detecting secondary incidents. Their differences are identified and discussed.
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Acknowledgments
Research in this paper was supported by the SD_TOPS Project funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of Greek Ministry of Education, Life Long Learning and Religious Affairs. Data are from Attica Tollway (http://www.aodos.gr/).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 1 • January 2014
Pages: 70 - 80
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 12, 2012
Accepted: Aug 13, 2013
Published online: Aug 15, 2013
Published in print: Jan 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Jan 15, 2014
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