REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT MODEL Adrian Zafiu 1,2 , Angela Ionita 1 , Valueriu Ionescu 2 1 Romanian Academy, Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Calea 13 Septembrie Nr. 13 sector 5, Bucuresti 050711, Romania, zafiu@racai.ro, aionita@racai.ro 2 University of Pitesti, Street Targu din Vale, No. 1, 110040 Pitesti, Arges, Romania, adrian.zafiu@upit.ro, valeriu.ionescu@upit.ro Abstract. This paper presents a model for real time traffic information update. The tasks of the traffic management system for an urban area are the management of slow evolving information layer (with two sub-layers: the area map and the traffic rules) and the management of fast evolving information layer (the real–time traffic data). The proposed model presents an algorithm for real-time integration of the data received from the monitoring system into the fast evolving layer. The data integration is performed in such a manner that the result can be directly used by the drivers in the correction of the navigation data, according to their needs and the vehicle characteristics. The integration of the traffic evolution has the purpose to avoid traffic congestion and traffic disturbances. Keywords: traffic data management, algorithm, prediction, realtime. 1 Introduction The integration of GPS navigation data with other communication systems is an idea that has roots in the early 90s, when digital mobile communication was still at the beginning [1]. Usually a GPS navigation system uses as feedback to its algorithm the position of the car. This can, sometimes, generate errors (because of natural and artificial interference sources) especially in crossroads. That is why other systems were developed, such as AGPS (Assisted Global Positioning System).and DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) for civilian or military use. [2]. However, the basis for GPS navigation is the system seen in the following figure. Figure 1. Classic GPS navigation system uses static data A new trend in the domain shows that the sales of simple GPS navigation devices is slowing down in favor of OS based devices such as Symbian and Windows Mobile, therefore more mobile navigation systems will have multiple wireless connections available: 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, 3G, etc (mobile phones, PDA, SmartPhones,etc.) compared to simple GPS devices [3, 4]. The previous system can be improved by extending the information feedback loop. This idea is not new [5] however the algorithm and implementation method proposed in this paper represent a new approach, based on the rapid spread of OS based mobile devices. In this case the representation of the system is more complex because the new system uses in addition to static GPS data, new dynamic data obtained through wireless data transfers to/from a web service. The new data is computed by the algorithm proposed in this paper. Figure 2. The proposed system uses the proposed algorithm to compute traffic information updates Wireless communication GPS reception Path computing algorithm GPS position, speed, location Web service + Algorithm GPS location + requests Traffic data Traffic history information (dynamic) Updates; Requests SI Path computing algorithm GPS position, speed direction SI Static information (map, speed limits, etc) - 292 -