Principal investigator. Dr. Brian L. Smith, University of Virginia, 804-243-8406, briansmith@virginia.edu 

External contact. James Robinson, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219, 804-786-6677 

Project objective. To investigate the feasibility of using wireless probe data to support transportation management applications. 

Project abstract. In order to investigate transportation management applications of anonymous mobile call sampling, this effort will focus on three fundamental areas: 

1.     Evaluate Accuracy of Speed Data. U.S. Wireless has developed an application that derives average speeds for roadway segments based on the anonymous mobile call sampling. UVA will evaluate the accuracy of this data on arterial facilities. 

2.     Examine Map-Based Dissemination of Speed Data. UVA will integrate U.S. Wireless data with other data received in the Smart Travel Laboratory to produce a dynamic system status map for Northern Virginia. This effort will complement on-going efforts in this area to develop effective ways of presenting status data via maps. 

3.     Identify Innovative Transportation Management Applications of Anonymous Mobile Call Sampling. To date, the focus of anonymous mobile call sampling has been to derive speed estimates. However, many other system status measures, such a volume and traffic pattern description, is required by transportation management. This element of the study will investigate if anonymous mobile call sampling can support these types of measures. Coordination with VTech's "VDOT surveillance needs" project will be effected. 

Tasks. 1) Collect wireless data. 2) Conduct analysis and evaluations as described in abstract 3) Interpret results

 Milestones. This project will be completed by December 31, 2001. 

Student involvement. 2 GRAs 

Budget.   $181,000

Relation to other research. No immediate relationship. 

Technology transfer. Papers in professional journals. 

Potential benefits. Enable the use of a new, high-potential data collection technique 

TRB keywords. Traffic probes, ITS, sensors