Travel Time on the Highway 7 Corridor YORK REGION Robert Bruce President TPA North America Inc.
Presentation Overview Introduction to vivanext project Project Description Bluetooth Traffic Monitoring Overview Travel time measurements Pre-construction During construction Outliers, Average Travel Time versus Prediction Portable Message Signs Message that are displayed Conclusion
vivanext vivanext York Region's plan for the next generation of rapid transit Includes: New subway extensions, Light rail transit lines, Dedicated rapidway lanes for viva vehicles, vivanext will improve travel times in the York Region This improvement comes at the expense of congestion levels during construction Rapidway lane construction will cause significant traffic disruptions Public awareness and outreach is a key requirement for the project.
vivanext Regional Municipality of York Two projects under construction: 1. H3 Highway 7 between Bayview and Enterprise 2. D1 Davis Drive between Yonge Street and Leslie Avenue H3 project is at one of the busiest arterials in Ontario. Anticipation of significant congestion
H3 Project Bus Rapidway Players vivanext York Region Transit Authority KED Kiewit EllisDon Joint Venture
TPA North America s Role in vivanext Collect travel time data along the corridors Process the travel time data into real-time travel time measurements and post these predictions on Portable Variable Message sign boards along the corridor Real-time travel time is one part of a comprehensive out-reach program to keep traveller in the York Region informed of traffic conditions. TPA uses Bluetooth Traffic Monitoring to collect the travel time data
Bluetooth Traffic Monitoring Each Bluetooth devices has a unique, but anonymous device ID. Bluetooth Traffic Monitor collects: 1. ID of each detectable device. 2. Time stamp ID detected. Distance L Real Time Travel Time Executive: 1. Processes station data. 2. Filters and processes data. 3. Outputs average travel time and predicted travel time Detection Zones Detection zones. IDs are detected within a detection zone, the size and shape of which varies based on the Level of Bluetooth radio and the antenna configuration.
Bluetooth Characteristics The majority of detectable devices are carried by an individual on foot, in an automobile, truck, bus, in the local coffee shop; or vehicles in main lanes and adjacent HOV lanes. Pick up multi-modal trips Follow specific signals over multiple segments.
BTM Configuration for York Region BTM units were installed on existing traffic controllers. Controller will eventually be replaced, but provides for a convenient location during construction Provide a convenient source of 12VDC power Cellular communications. Advantages: Easy maintenance Controllers are regularly moved as part of the construction project. Placement of the BTM units on top of the controller allows for a free ride during the move
BTM data collection Penetration rate: Estimate that BTM units collect about 20% of the vehicles travelling along the corridor. BTM unit collect data from all directions of travel with a range of about 100 meters. Significant data to provide accurate measurement of the travel time.
Detection Rate - Detection rate at the Highway 404 detector - Data shows unique MAC address detection per five minute period - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - Data is collected in both directions - Tracks actual traffic volumes
Travel Time Measurement Pre-Construction Data was collected at 8 key locations along the Highway 7 corridor to collect pre-construction travel time measurement An origin-destination matrix was created from the Bluetooth data to understand the actual traffic patterns on the road network OUTPUT: Normal travel time a matrix of normal travel time recorded for each 15 minute interval for each days of the week was recorded. Normal traffic is pre-construction travel times Recommendations on where portable message signs should be located. Recommendation on the messaging for the signs
Bluetooth Traffic Monitoring locations Locations: Bayview, West Beavercreek, Leslie, 404, Allstate, Lunar, Towne Centre and Warden
Example: Leslie Street Location Bluetooth Traffic Monitor is mounted on the controller cabinet and collects data in both directions
Normal Travel Times Travel time data was collected over a month period prior to construction. Data was reduced to travel times over 15 minute intervals for selected routes. Data for each 15 minutes interval during of the week. Used to provide a reference point for travel time display
Real-time Travel Time TPANA developed software collects data in real-time from each of the detectors. The data from each of the detectors is co-mingled to calculate a precise travel time. Average Travel time the average travel time expected for a vehicle just completing the trip Predicted Travel time the travel time expected for a vehicle just starting the trip
Real-Time Travel Time: Links and Routes Link: Travel time from one detector to another detector Route: Sum of the Link travel times that make up the total link from one detector to another detector
Outliers Algorithms developed by TPANA strip outliers from the data set to maximize the accuracy of the average travel time and the predicted travel time.
Outliers removed from the data
Completed trips
Average travel time
Route from HWY404 to Bayview
Portable Message sign locations Data was collected and an Origin-Destination matrix created to understand traffic flow patterns during the peak travel times. Determines the best value locations for portable message signs 6 signs were selected to optimize the coverage on the road network 1. Bayview to 404 1. Bayview to 404 2. Bayview to 404 3. 404 to Bayview 4. 404 to Warden 5. Lunar to Leslie 6. Warden to 404
Portable Variable Message Signs NTCIP Interface to the sign Predicted travel time updated every minute Normal travel time updated every 15 minutes Signs have been running 24/7 since April, 2011 Winter: Lack of solar energy at some locations - message is turned off from 11pm to 5am Summer: static informational message outside peak traffic
PVMS message format York region has standardize on a three frame message format during peak travel times. Two PVMS types are located on the highway 3 frames, 3 lines, 8 characters 3 frames, 3 lines, 12 characters Custom short term messages displayed when required. Example: Emergency street closure Typical message during peak traffic conditions:
NOW and NORM Travel Time
Conclusions Bluetooth Traffic Monitor provide highly accurate measurements of traffic conditions on arterial road networks through all traffic conditions Driver feedback has been positive Driver look to the signs for current conditions, new messaging gets noticed The accuracy of the measurements, no news is good news. Normal and Now approach is well received Drivers appreciate the reference point. Driver distraction Drivers get travel time data for their specific route without having to take their eyes off the road
Robert Bruce TPA North America Inc. Telephone: 416-486-8457 Email: Robert.Bruce@tpa-na.com