Multiroute travel-time data provision systems operating in Osaka

The multiroute travel-time data provision systems are typical examples of the application to multiple routes (all heading toward the center of an urban area) of the authors´ travel-time data provision system, which furnishes drivers with predicted travel-time information based on the data actually measured with vehicle license number recognition devices (automatic vehicle identification or AVI units). The systems now operating in Osaka furnish travel-time information to drivers on roads before the individual branch points of three major routes (approx 11 km) all heading toward the center of the City from its southern part and of two major routes (approx 8 km) both heading toward the center of the City from its eastern part. On all of these routes, the number of vehicles moving into and out of the center of the city is great. Simultaneous provision of the travel-time data of these three or two routes on the roads before the individual branch points of the routes not only allows drivers to roughly calculate a travel time to their own destination but also prompts them to select the most appropriate route, from which dispersion of traffic flow to less crowded roads can be expected. This paper describes the configuration, functions, and operation of each multiroute travel-time data provision system and reports the results of the authors´ investigations and surveys on the effectiveness of each system and on the effect of the system on traffic flow dispersion