Road Traffic Data: Collection Methods and Applications

This study aims to analyse the current road traffic data collection methods - both fixed and mobile - in terms of capabilities and limitations. The development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) highly depends on the quality and quantity of road traffic data. Usually, traffic information such as vehicle speed or traffic flow is collected through fixed detectors placed along the road network at strategic points. Currently, collecting traffic data through mobile phones and In-Vehicle GPS has become an alternative source of data gathering that can provide accurate real-time information over a large road network and overcoming some problems related to fixed detectors. Even if further developments are still needed, both types of sources - fixed and mobile - are now widely used by several service providers worldwide to provide the users with high quality real-time traffic information. Economic issues related to the emergence of this new market based on real-time information from these technologies are also discussed.