Vulnerability analysis of network observability in link flow inference problems

Scientific Conference (2018, January)

The effect of workplace relocation on individuals’ activity travel behavior

in Journal of Transport and Land Use (2018), 11(1),

On working days, homes and workplaces can be seen as anchor locations at the heart of daily mobility patterns, as well as being central to an employee’s activity pattern. In this study, we investigate how ... [more ▼]

On working days, homes and workplaces can be seen as anchor locations at the heart of daily mobility patterns, as well as being central to an employee’s activity pattern. In this study, we investigate how workplace relocation affects the entire daily activity-travel chain. While past research has shown that workplace decentralization is often associated with higher car use for the commuting trip, little is known about the effect on the whole activity travel pattern. Two waves of a two-week travel diary were completed by 43 employees of the University of Luxembourg: one before and one after the relocation of their office. Using descriptive statistics as well as standard deviational ellipses (SDE) theory combined with the results of a clustering analysis showed that workers’ activity spaces (represented by the standard deviational ellipses) were significantly modified due to the relocation of a single anchor activity location, i.e., their workplace. [less ▲]

A global optimization heuristic for the decomposed static anticipatory network traffic control problem anticipatory network traffic control problem

in Transportation Research Procedia (2017)

Developing traffic control strategies taking explicitly into account the route choice behavior of users has been widely recognized irregularities in the solution space shape, such as non-convexity and non ... [more ▼]

Developing traffic control strategies taking explicitly into account the route choice behavior of users has been widely recognized irregularities in the solution space shape, such as non-convexity and non-smoothness. In this work, we propose an extended as a very challenging problem. Furthermore, the inclusion of user behavior in optimization based control schemes introduces strong decomposition scheme for the anticipatory traffic control problem, based upon our previous contributions, which aims at i) reducing irregularities in the solution space shape, such as non-convexity and non-smoothness. In this work, we propose an extended the computational complexity of the problem by approaching it in a controller-by-controller fashion, and ii) internalizing specific decomposition scheme for the anticipatory traffic control problem, based upon our previous contributions, which aims at i) reducing constraints in the objective function, guiding the optimization process away from non-significant minima, such as flat regions. the computational complexity of the problem by approaching it in a controller-by-controller fashion, and ii) internalizing specific Through two small scale test networks and different, randomly chosen initial points, we compare how the proposed extension constraints in the objective function, guiding the optimization process away from non-significant minima, such as flat regions. influences optimization results with respect to our previously developed decomposed approach, as well as centralized schemes. Through two small scale test networks and different, randomly chosen initial points, we compare how the proposed extension influences optimization results with respect to our previously developed decomposed approach, as well as centralized schemes. [less ▲]

Estimating Urban Road Traffic States Using Mobile Network Signaling Data

in Abstract book of the 20th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (2017, October)

It is intuitive that there is a causal relationship between human mobility and signaling events in mobile phone networks. Among these events, not only the initiation of calls and data sessions can be used ... [more ▼]

It is intuitive that there is a causal relationship between human mobility and signaling events in mobile phone networks. Among these events, not only the initiation of calls and data sessions can be used in analyses, but also handovers between different locations that reflect mobility. In this work, we investigate if handovers can be used as a proxy metric for flows in the underlying road network, especially in urban environments. More precisely, we show that characteristic profiles of handovers within and between clusters of mobile network cells exist. We base these profiles on models from road traffic flow theory, and show that they can be used for traffic state estimation using floating-car data as ground truth. The presented model can be beneficial in areas with good mobile network coverage but low road traffic counting infrastructure, e.g. in developing countries, but also serve as an additional predictor for existing traffic state monitoring systems. [less ▲]

Effectiveness of the Two-Step Dynamic Demand Estimation model on large networks

in Proceedings of 2017 5th IEEE International Conference on Models and Technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems (MT-ITS) (2017, June 28)

In this paper, the authors present a Two-Step approach that sequentially adjusts generation and distribution values of the (dynamic) OD matrix. While the proposed methodology already provided excellent ... [more ▼]

In this paper, the authors present a Two-Step approach that sequentially adjusts generation and distribution values of the (dynamic) OD matrix. While the proposed methodology already provided excellent results for updating demand flows on a motorway, the aim of this paper is to validate this conclusion on a real network: Luxembourg City. This network represents the typical middle-sized European city in terms of network dimension. Moreover, Luxembourg City has the typical structure of a metropolitan area, composed of a city centre, ring, and suburb areas. An innovative element of this paper is to use mobile network data to create a time-dependent profile of the generated demand inside and outside the ring. To support the claim that the model is ready for practical implementation, it is interfaced with PTV Visum, one of the most widely adopted software tools for traffic analysis. Results of these experiments provide a solid empirical ground in order to further develop this model and to understand if its assumptions hold for urban scenarios. [less ▲]

Generating purpose-dependent production factors through Monte Carlo sampling techniques.

Scientific Conference (2017, May)

Discussion on cross-border integration using non-dominant mobility flows

Scientific Conference (2017, April 12)

On the edge of two different countries, cross-border regions exhibit very peculiar features. While borders can be seen as an interface or a barrier, analyze the interactions between two sovereign spatial ... [more ▼]

On the edge of two different countries, cross-border regions exhibit very peculiar features. While borders can be seen as an interface or a barrier, analyze the interactions between two sovereign spatial entities is extremely important for political reasons, economical development, land use management, etc. Because of data availability issues, spatial cross-border integration is mostly characterized using cross-border workers commuting flow information, or more rarely, by using activities performed by cross-border workers in the country they work. Despite its small size (2586 km2), the Grand-duchy of Luxembourg is a strong economic locomotive. Among the 380 000 available jobs in the country, 42% are occupied by cross border workers from France, Belgium and Germany. While the commuting behavior and the activity chains of the cross border workers have been largely studied this is not the case for the population living in Luxembourg. This study, using two weeks of travel diary data of 35 staff members of the University of Luxembourg living in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, aims at analyzing the relationship that the respondents have with borders. Our hypothesis is that cross-border integration characterization would gain in robustness if non-dominant centripetal flows were taken into account as well. [less ▲]

Usage of Smartphone Data to Derive an Indicator for Collaborative Mobility between Individuals

in ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (2017), 6(3), 62

The potential of geospatial big data has been drawing attention for a few years. Despite the larger and larger market penetration of portable technologies (nomadic and wearable devices like smartphones ... [more ▼]

The potential of geospatial big data has been drawing attention for a few years. Despite the larger and larger market penetration of portable technologies (nomadic and wearable devices like smartphones and smartwatches), their opportunities for travel behavior analysis are still relatively unexplored. The main objective of our study is to extract the human mobility patterns from GPS traces in order to derive an indicator for enhancing Collaborative Mobility (CM) between individuals. The first step, extracting activity duration and location, is done using state-of-the-art automated recognition tools. Sensors data are used to reconstruct individual’s activity location and duration across time. For constructing the indicator, in a second step, we defined different variables and methods for specific case studies. Smartphone sensor data are being collected from a limited number of individuals and for one week. These data are used to evaluate the proposed indicator. Based on the value of the indicator, we analyzed the potential for identifying CM among groups of users, such as sharing traveling resources (e.g., carpooling, ridesharing, parking sharing) and time (rescheduling and reordering activities). [less ▲]

Experimental analysis of eGLOSA and eGLODTA transit control strategies

in Proceedings of the 5th IEEE International Conference on Models and Technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems, MT-ITS 2017 (2017)

Battery powered electric buses have higher energy efficiency, lower emissions and noise when compared to buses with internal combustion engines. However, due to battery charging requirements, their large ... [more ▼]

Battery powered electric buses have higher energy efficiency, lower emissions and noise when compared to buses with internal combustion engines. However, due to battery charging requirements, their large-scale integration into public transport operations is more complex. This study proposes a novel concept supporting said integration via new control strategies, dubbed e-GLOSA and e-GLODTA. These strategies extend the existing Green Light Optimal Speed and Dwell Time Systems (GLOSA/GLODTA) to account for the specific needs of electric buses. That is, they include the goals of minimizing the energy consumption between charging stations, and maximizing available charging time. At the same time, interference with schedule requirements is minimized. The formulated heuristics are tested on a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor case study, where different scenarios—such as placement of charging stations and bus regularity—are studied to assess under which conditions each action (maintain speed, accelerate or dwell for a longer time at a stop) is beneficial. Results show that eGLOSA contributes to schedule adherence while eGLODTA allows satisfying charging time constraints. [less ▲]

On characterizing the relationship between route choice behavior and optimal traffic control solution space

in Transportation Research Procedia (2017), 23

Explicitly including the dynamics of users' route choice behaviour in optimal traffic control applications has been of interest for researchers in the last five decades. This has been recognized as a very ... [more ▼]

Explicitly including the dynamics of users' route choice behaviour in optimal traffic control applications has been of interest for researchers in the last five decades. This has been recognized as a very challenging problem, due to the added layer of complexity and the considerable non-convexity of the resulting problem, even when dealing with simple static assignment and analytical link cost functions. In this work we establish a direct behavioural connection between the different shapes and structures emerging in the solution space of such problems and the underlying route choice behaviour. We specifically investigate how changes in the active equilibrium route set exert direct influence on the solution space's structure and behaviour. Based on this result, we then formulate and validate a constrained version of the original problem, yielding desirable properties in terms of solution space regularity. © 2017 The Authors. [less ▲]