Intertechnology effects in intelligent transportation systems

The expected benefits of varying combinations of intelligent transportation system applications, such as freeway service patrol, changeable message signs, and ramp metering, were examined. The research analyzed the simulated results of a stylized network in a microscopic traffic simulator. The traffic network included parallel roadways, ramp meters, and changeable message signs. These technologies were tested in various combinations. The effectiveness were determined, and a measure of inter-technology economies was defined. In brief, additional technologies were found to be subadditive, and more benefits came from each technology in isolation than from the bundling of each with other technologies.