EVALUATION OF PROBE VEHICLE SYSTEM BY USING MICRO SIMULATION MODEL AND COST ANALYSIS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to discuss the feasibility of a system to collect traffic information using probe vehicles in a developing city in terms of cost efficiency. Firstly, the field test that applied five taxies as probe vehicles in Bangkok was conducted to identify their running performance and characteristics. Secondly, based on the result of field test, a micro simulation model was developed to verify the minimum number of probe vehicles that can ensure sufficient data collecting information from which reliable average travel time can be calculated. Finally, to estimate the cost of system, the amount of transmitted data from probe vehicles was calculated when probe vehicles collected traffic information dynamically applying the minimum number of probe vehicles. As a result, it was found that average travel time of all vehicles can be estimated in every 15 minutes at half of all road sections in Bangkok, if all taxis can be used as probe vehicles.