Monitoring traffic congestion in urban areas through probe vehicles: A case study analysis

We present a probe vehicles approach to evaluate traffic congestion in urban areas. The method is illustrated by a real case study in Bari, Italy. Global Positioning System (GPS) data generated by buses are transmitted via General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) to a control station, where they are used to analyze traffic conditions. Traffic indices are evaluated to provide an exhaustive view of roads congestion and implement suitable control strategies. Thus, traffic administrators can efficiently manage sustainable mobility in cities and people can acquire awareness on traffic and public transport performance.