Using ITS data fusion to examine traffic dynamics on a freeway with variable speed limits

Abstract

This analysis focuses on an 18 km section of Autobahn 9 (A9) located between Munich and Nurnberg, Germany. This section of freeway not only has an extensive surveillance system, but also contains a variable speed limit and congestion level information system using variable message signs. Analysis focuses on the activation of a bottleneck that occurs in the southbound travel direction in the vicinity of freeway on- and off-ramps. Transformed curves of cumulative vehicle count and time averaged speed are used to reveal the resolution necessary to determine important traffic flow features prior to bottleneck activation. Analysis of variable speed limit, congestion level information and floating car data will be used to gain important information about the dynamics of traffic flow and physical freeway infrastructure prior to bottleneck activation.