Big data analytics for traffic centres

By providing operators with complete, integrated data, advanced software makes traffic management simpler, safer and more effective

Words | Dave Hude, Telegra, Croatia

Every city, agency, operator, or concessionaire has its own traffic management use case. There is no off-the-shelf, ready-to use software solution that fits all of them. Yet, there are solutions with versatile functional modules that can easily be configured and customised to serve each of them optimally.

Telegra’s topXview, for example, is a versatile, comprehensive, and open software solution designed specifically for the traffic industry. Thanks to its modular architecture, it supports the implementation and delivery of an extensive number of use cases depending on integrated equipment/subsystems and/or customer requirements.

A virtually unlimited number of use cases can be supported by combining different modules, configuring the software for specific projects, and, if necessary, through the development of new, specialised, modules. Two examples of challenges that are being managed by topXview currently are described here

Above: Telegra’s topXview software solution can help traffic managers decide when to open highway shoulder lanes to buses

Prioritisation of public transport

Agencies aim to optimise the utilisation of public transport by opening a shoulder lane for buses (utilising a free shoulder lane in congested traffic). This improves travel time for buses and consequently encourages people to use public transport to reach their destination. Since the shoulder lane is generally used by vehicles in case of emergency, it is important that there are no incidents present on the road while buses are permitted to travel through the shoulder lane. The lane also needs to be clear of people and other potential obstacles, such as stopped vehicles, pedestrians, debris, wildlife and similar.

The above challenge is addressed by the topXview software solution, with the combination of a customised Decision Support System (DSS) and proven AI-based video analytics – X-AID. Roads under observation are segmented into sub-sections in topXview where each sub-section can open the shoulder lane for public transportation.

The system has many parameters, which inform the operator’s decision on whether to open the shoulder lane, or whether or the bus lane is opened automatically. These include speed threshold, presence of incidents, time within a day, and similar. However, the core idea behind the bus lane management can be summarised in following four principles:

1) If the current time of day is within expected rush hour periods, then congestion can be expected. Rush hours are configurable by the user.

2) If the speed of traffic flow through the main lanes is between configurable thresholds, then utilising the shoulder lane as a bus lane is expected to reduce travel time for public transportation.

3) If there are no incidents present on the road then the shoulder lane is free for use.

4) If the above conditions are satisfied, shoulder lanes should be used for public transportation and corresponding variable message signs (VMS) can be set to indicate buses to use shoulder lane.

The customised bus lane management system in topXview uses a complex concept of operations. The DSS suggests optimal response plans (VMS, cameras, open/close lane) based on the location of an event. Traffic speed, count, classification, and incidents are detected by X-AID. Since multiple operators work in the same management centre, customised logic for prioritisation of events and handling by different operators has also been implemented. The system supports full redundancy – in case of a disaster all functions are transferred to a backup centre.

Integrated management system

Aegean Motorway’s (AMSA) Motorway Management Center (MMC) in Greece operates more than 230km of highway with four long dual-tube tunnels, featuring more than 20 different technology subsystems (including traffic, SCADA and maintenance).

Prior to the integration of the topXview system, MMC topology resembled a disjointed set of independently integrated subsystems. These subsystems were unaware of each other, each with their own human machine interface (HMI). As expected, complexity increased to the point that the system became difficult to handle. The operators were overloaded with unfiltered, unprioritised data from sensors about events from each subsystem.

Thus, to mitigate arising issues and increase safety, AMSA laid out its business goals to acquire a system that would integrate all equipment/ subsystems, provide a single HMI interface to operators and support AMSA’s standard operating procedures (SOP).

The first step was the integration of existing equipment and subsystems on open road and tunnels’ SCADA. The project came with a large diversity of equipment and subsystems in their own different stages of lifecycle, such as early planning phase, in use and at end of lifecycle. After the initial deployment of the topXview platform, new systems were added monthly without any interference with daily operations. This way, the platform progressively grew, and existing HMI interfaces became obsolete.

The second step was establishing connectivity with MMC systems for business model, operations, and asset support. Using topXview’s API, interfaces with existing systems were established. Part of business logic was offloaded from existing systems to topXview’s Asset Management and basic Event management module. Operation procedures and strategies were executed within the Event management module using a simple rule-based engine.

After key building blocks were operational (equipment integration and asset management), prerequisites were fulfilled for an advanced Event management system or DSS installation. The system completely removed the need for operators to consult any other application and all AMSA business goals are articulated in Event management.

In a nutshell, Event management is a system that recommends, suggests, and presents operators with an outcome of qualitative and quantitative system analysis in the context of event handling. Upon receiving the results, operators must evaluate the recommendation validity and allow continuation with recommended solutions for the given traffic problem. The system guides the operator by asking key questions such as, “How many lanes are affected?” or, “Are there any injuries?”. The operator either answers the questions properly or chooses to postpone the answer until the required information arrives. The system reminds the operator to answer the skipped questions at a later stage.

Event management reduces operator errors by involving high level actions instead of atomic control of individual equipment. Operators are expected to perform only highlevel tasks making full use of their expertise while removing tedious housekeeping tasks. The system makes full use of integrated sensors by filtering and fetching information in the context of incident resolution.

After an incident is triggered and the location is known, the system selects only nearby and relevant sensor data presenting distilled information to the operator (traffic load, weather data, closest patrollers, etc.). The system also calculates and proposes optimal strategy based on those data.

Above: Telegra topXview is improving tunnel management by aggregating over 20 different traffic management subsystems

Smarter data for all

The examples here represent only two use cases for Telegra’s big-data analytics. With topXview the possibilities for enhancing traffic management through smarter data use are almost limitless. Contact the experts at Telegra and find out for yourself, today. ■