Unit – III

1 ITS Data
ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) data is a collection of information generated and used by
various technological systems to monitor, manage, and optimize transportation networks. This data
includes real-time and historical information about traffic flow, vehicle movements, incidents,
environmental conditions, and other factors influencing roadways, public transit, and other
transportation modes. ITS data helps transportation agencies, planners, and researchers make
informed decisions to improve safety, reduce congestion, enhance operational efficiency, and
support sustainable infrastructure planning. By using real-time data and advanced analytics, ITS
enables cities and agencies to meet the complex demands of modern transportation networks
effectively.

1.1. Types of ITS Data

1. Traffic Flow Data:
➢ It measures vehicle speeds, counts, and density on roadways from Sensors like inductive
loops, radar, and video detection. This data can be used to manage traffic congestion,
optimize signal timing, and monitor real-time traffic conditions.
1. Incident Data:
➢ The Information on crashes, vehicle breakdowns, road obstructions, and hazardous
conditions are collected CCTV cameras, incident detection algorithms, reports from drivers
or roadside assistance. This aids the process of quick incident response, minimizes
congestion from accidents, and improves safety by alerting other drivers.
2. Environmental and Road Weather Data:
➢ It involves data related to temperature, precipitation, road surface conditions, visibility, and
wind. Usually this type of data is collected from Road Weather Information Systems
(RWIS), weather sensors, and satellite data. It Helps adjust driving advisories, variable
speed limits, and resource allocation during adverse weather events.
3. Signal and Traffic Control Data:
➢ This type of data involves information related to Real-time status of traffic signals, ramp
meters, and dynamic message signs (DMS). Obtained from Signal controllers, TMCs, and
adaptive traffic control systems. This data helps in optimizes intersection performance,
reduces waiting times, and adjusts signal phases based on real-time data.
4. Travel Time and Delay Data:
➢ Travel time refers to how long it takes for vehicles to traverse specific roadway segments
or from origin to destination. Commonly this data easily obtained GPS data from connected
vehicles, Bluetooth sensors, and smartphone applications. This real time data helps in
monitoring congestion levels, provides travel time estimates to drivers, and informs
decisions on road improvements.
5. Origin-Destination (O-D) Data:
➢ It mainly involves tracking movement patterns, showing where trips start and end using
GPS in connected vehicles, mobile app data, and roadside sensors. It used for planning
infrastructure projects, optimizing public transit routes, and understanding regional traffic
patterns.
 6. Public Transit Data:
➢ In this category of data information related to Public transport vehicles like buses, rails,
metro which includes vehicle locations, passenger counts, and schedule adherence
information. To obtain information related to public transit it requires Automatic Vehicle
Location (AVL) systems, Automatic Passenger Counters (APCs), and Transit Signal
Priority (TSP) systems. It helps transit agencies to monitor and improve service reliability,
optimize schedules, and offer real-time arrival information.
7. Pedestrian and Cyclist Data:
➢ It is the data related pedestrian and cyclist volumes at intersections and along cycle tracks,
usually collected by Infrared sensors, video detection, and mobile app data. It supports
pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements, determines high-traffic areas, and promotes
multimodal planning.

1.2. Collection Methods for ITS Data

1. Roadside Sensors and Detectors:
➢ Types: Inductive loop detectors, radar, ultrasonic, and magnetometers.
➢ Function: Measure vehicle presence, speed, and lane occupancy in specific locations.
2. CCTV Cameras:
➢ Types: Fixed and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras.
➢ Function: Used for real-time monitoring, incident verification, and traffic condition
assessment.
3. GPS and Mobile Data:
➢ Types: Data from connected vehicles, fleet GPS, and mobile devices.
➢ Function: Provides location-based data for O-D studies, travel times, and traffic flow
patterns.
4. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)
Communication:
➢ Function: Enables vehicles to communicate with traffic signals, road signs, and other
infrastructure to support real-time safety alerts, signal prioritization, and congestion
reduction.
5. Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Passenger Counting Systems:
➢ Function: Used in public transit to track bus locations, passenger counts, and ensure
schedule adherence.
6. Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR):
➢ Function: Identifies and tracks vehicles to assist with law enforcement, toll collection, and
understanding traffic patterns.
 2 Transportation Network Companies
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) are companies that provide ride-hailing services,
connecting passengers with drivers through digital platforms, typically mobile apps. TNCs like Uber,
Lyft, DiDi, and Grab have transformed urban transportation by offering flexible, on-demand
transportation solutions that use real-time data to optimize routes, manage demand, and enhance the
passenger experience.

2.1. Key Features of Transportation Network Companies

1. App-Based Service: Passengers use mobile apps to book rides, make payments, and provide
feedback, creating a seamless and user-friendly experience.
2. On-Demand Transportation: TNCs offer flexibility by allowing riders to book transportation
as needed, without adhering to fixed schedules.
3. Dynamic Pricing: Rates adjust based on demand, with peak times leading to higher prices
(surge pricing), which helps balance demand and supply.
4. Driver Partner Model: TNCs operate on a partnership model, where drivers use their vehicles
and are not employees of the company.
5. GPS and Real-Time Tracking: TNC apps leverage GPS to optimize routes, track driver
locations, and improve safety through real-time tracking.
6. Multi-Modal Options: Many TNCs offer various services beyond standard rides, like
carpooling, electric scooters, bikes, and even luxury vehicle services.

2.2. Benefits of TNCs

1. Convenience: Users can book rides from anywhere using a smartphone app.
2. Reduced Need for Car Ownership: With easy access to transportation, people may opt not to own
a car, which can reduce parking demand and associated costs.
3. Efficient Use of Road Space: Carpooling options, like UberPOOL or Lyft Line, reduce the number
of single-passenger vehicles, potentially easing congestion.
4. Employment Opportunities: TNCs provide income opportunities for those looking to work as
drivers, often with flexible hours.
5. Data-Driven Improvements: TNCs collect vast amounts of travel data, which helps optimize
routes, reduce waiting times, and predict peak demand.

2.3. Challenges and Considerations

1. Traffic Congestion: In some cases, TNCs have been found to increase congestion in high-
demand areas due to the rise in the number of vehicles on the road.
2. Environmental Impact: Although TNCs can reduce the need for car ownership, increased
rides, especially in cases without carpooling, can add to emissions.
3. Labor Concerns: Drivers are often classified as independent contractors, leading to debates
over fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Many regions have introduced regulations for TNCs concerning
safety standards, driver background checks, and congestion fees.
5. Impact on Public Transit: Some studies suggest that TNCs may compete with public transit,
leading to reduced ridership on buses and subways.
2.4. Real-World Examples of TNC Initiatives
➢ Uber: Known for ride-hailing and UberPOOL carpooling, it has expanded to UberEATS,
Uber Freight, and a range of electric and autonomous initiatives.
➢ Ola: Known for ride-hailing using hatchbacks, sedan, XL vehicles and Auto rickshaw and
carpooling in India.
➢ Lyft: Offers ride-sharing, car rentals, and bike/scooter rentals. Lyft has partnerships with
transit agencies to integrate first-mile and last-mile connections.
➢ DiDi: Operates in China and offers services from ride-hailing to bike-sharing and car
rentals, and it has also invested in autonomous vehicle research.
➢ Grab: Based in Southeast Asia, it offers a variety of services, including ride-hailing, food
delivery, digital payments, and on-demand deliveries.

2.5. Car and Two-wheeler Sharing

Car and bike sharing are flexible, on-demand transportation options that allow users to rent
vehicles—cars or bikes—for short periods, typically through mobile apps. These services provide
alternatives to personal vehicle ownership and can reduce traffic congestion, lower transportation
costs, and support sustainable urban mobility.
1. Car Sharing
Car sharing services provide users with access to vehicles that they can rent for short periods, ranging
from minutes to a few hours. Examples of car-sharing services include Zipcar, Car2Go, and
Getaround.
Types of Car Sharing Models
➢ Round-Trip Car Sharing: Users pick up a car from a designated location and return it to
the same spot when finished. This model is common with services like Zipcar.
➢ One-Way/Free-Floating Car Sharing: Users pick up a vehicle from one location and drop
it off at another approved location, offering more flexibility. Car2Go and Share Now
operate on this model.
➢ Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Car Sharing: Individual vehicle owners rent out their cars to other
users. Getaround and Turo follow this approach, where private car owners list their cars on
a shared platform.
Challenges of Car Sharing
➢ Availability and Access: Limited access in rural areas and during peak times.
➢ Parking Limitations: Free-floating car-sharing models may face challenges with finding
legal and accessible parking.
➢ Insurance and Liability: Coverage policies vary by service, which can lead to
complexities in the event of accidents or damage.
2. Two-Wheeler Sharing
Two-Wheeler Sharing refers to the rental and sharing of scooters, motorcycles, and electric bikes
through a digital platform for short-term use, typically within urban environments. These services
provide convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly alternatives to cars, especially for short to medium
distances. Two-wheeler sharing has grown in popularity for its flexibility and suitability for
navigating dense urban areas with traffic congestion. Examples include Rapido, Bounce, Yulu, Lime
and Revel.
 Types of Two-wheeler Sharing Models
➢ Moped or Scooter Sharing: Users rent electric or fuel-powered scooters for short trips,
often offered by companies like Lime, Revel, and Yulu.
➢ Motorcycle Sharing: While less common, motorcycles are available for rental in some
regions, allowing for longer trips than smaller mopeds or e-scooters. Bounce in India offers
such services.
➢ Electric Bike Sharing: Similar to bike-sharing programs, electric bikes provide pedal-
assisted travel that can cover slightly longer distances and more varied terrains than regular
bikes.
Challenges of Two-Wheeler Sharing
➢ Safety Concerns: Higher accident rates due to the exposure of two-wheelers and the
varying skill levels of riders.
➢ Regulatory Hurdles: Many cities have specific rules and licensing requirements for two-
wheeler sharing, particularly for e-scooters.
➢ Vandalism and Theft: Dockless two-wheelers are sometimes vulnerable to damage or
theft, affecting availability and maintenance costs.
➢ Limited Range and Battery Life: For electric two-wheelers, limited battery life can be a
restriction on distance, though services often have charging infrastructure in place.

2.6. Application of ITS in TNC

The application of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Transportation Network
Companies (TNCs) like Uber, Ola, Bounce, Rapido, Lyft, DiDi, and Grab has revolutionized
ride-hailing by enabling efficient, safe, and data-driven transportation options. ITS technologies
are leveraged by TNCs to improve vehicle routing, manage traffic, enhance safety, and provide
real-time information to drivers and passengers.
Key ITS Applications in TNCs
1. Dynamic Route Optimization: ITS enables TNCs to analyze real-time traffic data, road
conditions, and demand patterns to optimize routes for shorter travel times and lower
congestion.
2. Demand Prediction and Surge Pricing: Through ITS data analytics, TNCs can predict high-
demand periods (e.g., rush hours, special events) and adjust pricing to balance supply and
demand.
3. Safety Monitoring and Incident Management: ITS supports advanced monitoring systems
to detect unsafe driving behaviors (like speeding or harsh braking) and assess road conditions
(using sensor data, weather forecasts, etc.).
4. Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management: GPS and ITS technologies help TNCs track vehicle
locations, monitor fleet conditions, and deploy vehicles in real-time to areas with higher
demand.
5. Smart Parking Solutions: ITS technologies assist TNCs in locating parking spaces in crowded
urban areas and identifying ideal pick-up/drop-off zones to minimize disruptions.
6. Environmental Monitoring and Sustainability: ITS enables TNCs to monitor environmental
impacts, like emissions and fuel consumption, through sensor data and promote eco-friendly
travel options (e.g., electric vehicles).
7. Traveler Information Systems: TNCs use ITS-based traveler information systems to provide
passengers with real-time updates on vehicle location, arrival time, and traffic conditions.
 3 Parking Information
DESIGN OF PARKING FACILITY
The parking facilities may be broadly classified into two types:
On street parking
Off street parking
On street parking:
On street parking means the vehicles are parked on the sides of the street itself. This will be usually
controlled by government agencies itself. Common types of onstreet parking are as listed below.
This classification is based on the angle in which the vehicles are parked with respect to the road
alignment. As per IRC the standard dimensions of a car is taken as 5.0mx 2.5m and that for a truck
is 3.75m x 7.5m .
1. Parallel parking: The vehicles are parked along the length of the road. Here there is no backward
movement involved while parking or unparking the vehicle. Hence it is the most safest parking from
the accident perspective. But it consumes the maximum curb length and therefore only a minimum
number of vehicles can be parked for a given kerb length. Since it consumes least width of the road
it produces least obstruction to the on-going traffic on the road.
2. 30°parking: Here more vehicles can be parked compared to parallel parking. Also there is better
maneuverability. It causes minimum delay to traffic.
3. 45°parking: As the angle of parking increases, more number of vehicles can be parked. Hence
compared to parallel and thirty degree parking, more number of vehicles can be accommodated in
this type of parking.
4. 60° parking: Here also more number of vehicles can be accommodated.
5. Right angle parking: Here the vehicles are parked perpendicular to the direction of the road.
Hence it consumes maximum width. Curb length required is very little. Hence there are chances of
severe accidents. Also it causes obstruction to the road traffic. But it can accommodate maximum
number of vehicles.
Advantages of on street parking:
1. Angle parking is more convenient for the motorists than the parallel parking.
2. From the point of view of maneuverability, angle parking seems to be better than parallel parking
which usually involves backing motion.
3. Delay to traffic is minimum with angle parking
4. Parallel parking makes the least use of the width of the street, and this is an important
consideration in narrow streets.
Disadvantages of on street parking:
Congestion: By parking, there will be loss in the street space which leads to the lowering of the road
capacity. Hence speed will be reduced, journey time and delay will also subsequently increase. The
operational cost of the vehicle increases leading to great economical loss to the community.
Accidents: Careless maneuvering of parking and un parking leads to accidents which are referred
to as parking accidents. Common type of parking accidents occur while driving out a car from the
parking area, careless opening of the doors of parked cars, and while bringing in the vehicle to the
parking lot for parking.
Obstruction to firefighting operations: Parked vehicles may obstruct the movement of fire fighting
vehicles. Sometimes they block access to hydrants and access to buildings.
Environmental pollution: They also cause pollution to the environment because stopping and
starting of vehicles while parking and un parking results in noise and fumes. They also affect the
aesthetic beauty of the buildings because cars parked at every available space creates a feeling that
building rises from a plinth of cars.
Off street parking:
When the parking facility is provided at a separate place away from the kerb, it is known as off street
parking. There will be some area exclusively allotted for parking which will be at some distance
away from the main stream of traffic. Such a parking is referred to as off street parking. They may
be operated by either public agencies or private firms. The different types of off-street parking
facilities commonly considered are:
• Surface car parks
• Parking lots
• Multi-storey car parks
• Under ground car parks
• Roof parks
• Mechanical parks
Advantages of off street parking:
The main advantage of this method is that there is no undue congestion, accidents, environmental
pollution and delay on the road as in on street parking. It gives good safety for the parking vehicles.
Disadvantages of off street parking:
Main drawback of this method is, the owners will have to walk greater distance after parking the
vehicle. It is also not possible to provide the off street parking facility at very close intervals
especially in business centers of a city.

ITS in Parking Management

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) play a critical role in obtaining and distributing real-time
parking information, helping drivers find available spaces quickly, reducing congestion, and
improving urban traffic flow. With advanced sensor technologies, data analytics, and communication
networks, ITS can deliver up-to-the-minute parking availability, pricing, and location details.
1. Key ITS Technologies in Parking Information
1. Sensors and IoT Devices: Parking lots and street parking areas are equipped with
sensors that detect the presence of vehicles in each space. Real-time data from sensors
provide immediate information on vacant spots, reducing the time drivers spend
searching for parking.
2. Parking Guidance Systems (PGS): It directs drivers to the nearest available parking
spaces, displaying information through electronic signs or mobile apps and also
reduces driver frustration, lowers vehicle emissions from circling traffic, and
improves road safety by minimizing erratic driver behaviour.
3. Mobile Apps and Digital Mapping: ITS data is integrated into mobile applications
and digital maps (e.g., Google Maps, ParkMobile), allowing users to check parking
availability, pricing, and locations in advance and offers convenience and accuracy,
letting users reserve spots and even pay for parking through a single app.
4. License Plate Recognition (LPR): LPR systems scan vehicle plates as they enter and
exit parking facilities, enabling seamless payment and tracking of parked vehicles. It
supports automatic entry, exit, and billing for parking without physical tickets,
speeding up parking processes and providing a contactless experience.
5. Dynamic Pricing and Demand Management: ITS can adjust parking prices based
on demand (e.g., peak hours, special events), encouraging drivers to park in less
congested areas during high-demand times. Optimizes parking space utilization,
reduces parking demand in overcrowded areas, and supports city revenue generation.
6. Real-Time Data Sharing with Traffic Management Centers (TMCs): Data on
parking availability is shared with TMCs to adjust traffic signal timings or send
notifications if specific areas are congested. It eases congestion by routing drivers
away from crowded areas and prevents backups at parking facility entrances.