RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRAFFIC PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND SIGNIFICANT VARIABLES WHICH INFLUENCE THE PERFORMANCE OF ATCS

Abstract

Advanced Traffic Control Systems (ATCS) are recognised as one of ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) technologies that have most potential to ease congestion problems in many large cities in developing countries. The application of ATCS in developing countries is unique because cities in developing countries face more severe transportation problems than those in developed countries and characterised by specific geometric and traffic local conditions, for examples: low road network densities with poor conditions, narrow lane width, poor lane discipline, and level of side friction in connection with on street parking and street vendor activities. A large road network under ATCS surveillance in Bandung, Indonesia was used as a case study. This study identified a large number of influencing factors which were then used as input variables to determine their impact on the performance of an ATCS. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate relationships between traffic performance measures i.e. throughput, queue length, and travel time, and these significant variables. High technology built in a developed country can be successfully implemented in a developing country if the specific geometric and traffic conditions in the large cities and the local traffic behaviour are taken into account. By finding out the relationships between traffic performance measures and the significant variables, appropriate improvements of the performance of the ATCS in large city in developing country can be recommended. The findings of this study are believed not only beneficial to improve ATCS performance and reduce traffic congestion in Bandung, but also beneficial for other large cities in Indonesia and other developing countries, that has similar specific local conditions.