Center for Excellence In Advanced Traffic and Logistics Algorithms and Systems

Public Roads, Jan, 2001 by David Gibson, Alan Hansen, Pitu Mirchandani

Planned traffic management projects include the development and integration of a real-time traffic-prediction method for traveler information systems, the deployment and integration of transit signal priority for an arterial, and the deployment and integration of route advisory and limited traffic signal coordination/preemption for emergency vehicles. In addition, several new initiatives are being developed, including investigation and development of approaches for remote sensing of transportation flows and development of a client/server architecture for the RHODES algorithms so that external entities outside the ATLAS facilities may test real-time traffic control on a simulation model. Researchers hope to develop a predictive system to anticipate train and light rail transit crossings at grade highway-rail intersections for the purposes of traveler information and traffic signal adjustment.

In logistics management, a project to develop and evaluate a user-friendly tool for constructing simulation models of intermodal transfer facilities has been initiated. A workshop on Advanced Intermodal Logistics Management will be coordinated to review the state of the art and the state of the practice in this area.

In addition to the projects in traffic management and logistics management, three projects on intelligent vehicles have been conducted. The VISTA (Vehicles with Intelligent Systems for Transport Automation) project developed a design of an intelligent, affordable vehicle that could be deployed within the next five to 10 years. A project that analyzed and developed preliminary design alternatives for Tucson-Phoenix Intelligent Lanes for Intelligent Vehicles, including the analysis of traffic management benefits and associated costs, was conducted. A Summer Engineering Academy was held that demonstrated the viability of electric vehicle conversion and provided hands-on experience for high school students.

ATLAS has a unique way to assure that its research and educational activities are both innovative and relevant. The principal investigator of each project is required to: (1) clearly delineate the expected contributions of the project, (2) identify a champion in an agency or a firm that will find these contributions highly useful, and (3) deliver a report that includes results that either have scholarly value (e.g., are published or disseminated by the appropriate media) or are useful for advanced education (e.g., are presented in academic courses and! or workshops). The principal investigator is expected to work closely with the agency or firm that champions the project and to properly manage the project.

The primary source of support for ATLAS comes from FI-IWA and is administered through ADOT. In addition, there are two other categories of external funding -- contract funding and corporate/agency memberships. Currently, there is significant support through contracts from FHWA, ADOT, and the city of Tucson for real-time control of traffic. The second category, corporate/agency memberships, enables firms and agencies to join the center for a nominal fee so that they may participate in workshops and have access to reports and publications. Also, it will allow faculty and students access to the operations of member firms and agencies so that the faculty and students may direct their research on relevant traffic and logistics management issues that will have far-ranging impacts.