Intelligent Transportation System II (Part - 4) - Civil Engineering (CE) PDF Download

ITS deployment analysis system 

In this type of technique the traditional way of benefit-cost analysis is done. There are some software that directly compute cost and benefit. Some software use parameters like travel time, speed, delay to compute cost and benefit. But the basic idea remains the same. IDAS model of US DOT is an example of such software.

The basic principle in IDAS model is to calculate the benefit cost ratio. It helps in providing

a step wise approach for calculate it. Initially input is to be given from a travel demand model. It will evaluate the input and output parameters from the system. Depending upon the parameters various parameters will be generated. Then the control goes to cost and benefit module where the benefits and cost of alternatives are calculated. Last step is comparison of these calculated cost and benefits. Depending upon the comparison is done. At all the steps cost input is given. This cost may not always be in monetary terms but can be expressed in some discomfort. The IDAS model is shown in Fig. 49:1.

Sample Question 1 

Describe the Dynamic Message Sign Standard with 3 features? 

Answer Dynamic message sign standard is a standard employed to have certain set of rules and regulations for dynamic message signs. All the devices used should comply with the standard so that the device can be used on any platform. All the functioning of the device should be universal. It defines the data elements required for DMS. Data elements are like font, font size, the height of font, the spacings between characters, the type of message etc. It also defines the conformity-performance of a DMS device. That is it defines how the DMS system should work in any scenario. The performance of the system is thus checked. It contains mandatory, optional and conditional clauses which are needed to be followed.

There are many actions that are required to be done in a DMS system. All such actions can be done using some syntax. The standard provides these syntaxes that are to be used while working with the DMS devices. All devices should work with these syntax.

Features:

1. Sign configuration: All the parameters regarding the sign boards are included in this feature. Whenever a message has to be displayed some standard data of the sign board is required for proper display of message. To access this parameter some syntax is to be followed to get the information. Two important parameters are:

• Height/Width of sign board- it gives the height and width of the board.

• Horizontal/vertical border parameter- it gives the border available on the board.

2. Font configuration: All data regarding the type of font, the size is described by the font configuration. It is a read-write parameter where we can access the data and also overwrite it if required. Height may be expressed in pixels. The important parameters are:

• Font name parameter which gives the type of font to be used as default which can be changed.

• Font size parameter which gives the size of font.

3. Sign control objects: These provide some codes that are used for controlling any sign. The activity on a sign is governed by these parameters. Some important parameters are: • Activate message parameter which provides a code stating when to activate a certain parameter.

• Message display time remaining parameter indicating states the display time remaining for a particular message.

Sample Question 2 

Describe the methods of evaluation of ITS technologies.

Answer ITS evaluation can be done in four different ways as given below: (a) Planning level evaluation: evaluation is done before the the project is implemented. During the planning stage this type of evaluation can be done. Previous data can be used for doing this. Two methods of this are:

• Benefit cost analysis- the benefits of the project need to be evaluated. The cost of the project is also to be found out. Then depending upon the ratio the evaluation is done.

• Relative ranking- it is a weight based method. Weight given to criteria and the value of each alternative is calculated as S = ΣK × V , where S is the value of alternative, V is the value of one criterion, and K is the weight of that criterion.

(b) Deployment tracking: this evaluation is done when the project is being implemented. It gives the idea regarding the difference in the goals and actual work undertaken. We can determine the current progress rate of the work. The future directions needed to to be taken can also be assessed. Effective way of knowing this is the amount of data transfer between various agencies.

(c) Impact assessment: after an ITS system is deployed it is allowed to collect data over a period of time. The data collected is regarding the parameters from which assessment can be done(Table. 3c).

(d) RP and SP survey: many times benefits cannot be expressed in terms of monetary units as is required for benefits cost analysis. In such cases RP and SP surveys are conducted. RP survey is the revealed preference survey. In this assessment of present system is done. SP survey is stated preference survey. This survey is done for future projects.

Sample Question 3 

Describe how IDAS model can be used for ITS evaluation.

Answer The basic principle in IDAS model is to calculate the benefit cost ratio. It helps in providing a step wise approach for calculate it. Initially input is to be given from a travel demand model. It will evaluate the input and output parameters from the system.

Depending upon the parameters various parameters will be generated. Then the control goes to cost and benefit module where the benefits and cost of alternatives are calculated. Last step is comparison of these calculated cost and benefits. Depending upon the comparison is done. At all the steps cost input is given. This cost may not always be in monetary terms but can be expressed in some discomfort.