Dynamic Data Regulation for Fixed Vehicle Detectors

This paper describes a novel methodology regarding dynamic data regulation for vehicle passage detectors. A vehicle detector is generally fixed at a specific location, but this location may not, at all times, be the optimal place for efficient data collection. If the detector is occupied by queues during a specific period, it will produce irregular data for traffic control and management. Therefore, the optimal location should be dynamic. This paper develops a regulator to track the optimal vehicle-detector location in a variety of traffic conditions and an algorithm to adjust the detected data from the original fixed detector as if they were detected by the detector at its time-dependent optimal location. Without moving the fixed detectors from time to time, this method allows vehicle detectors to issue more reliable data that reflect the actual traffic demand and are not corrupted by traffic signals or queues. Statistical tests at a significant level support the method presented in this study. The results of this study will help existing vehicle detectors generate more accurate data for traffic control and management.