tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350606083613108606.post1322944081996681954..comments2024-03-26T00:35:17.633-07:00Comments on Getting from here to there: Traffic Congestion as an Information ProblemAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652887148371033287noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350606083613108606.post-7444362445102282342011-05-04T14:22:50.851-07:002011-05-04T14:22:50.851-07:00I do see the potential is some cases. I'm mor...I do see the potential is some cases. I'm more curious about how much of congestion (whether recurring or not) can be avoided though additional information. Specifically, what is the value of these technologies above and beyond those already available using radio alerts, traffic maps and highway signage. For each congesting event the value of information depends in part on available substitutes. <br />As you point out in your ATIS paper, the value of information may have meaningful effects on the edges of rush hours where congestion can be minimized through small changes in traffic. The IBM and other similar technologies can also cover more areas than radio and other conventional ways which is also beneficial. As I mentioned, this is why we do research. I see the potential benefits but it isn't obvious that they will be substantial, and certainly not as substantial as the news stories proclaim. I suspect the researchers are more measured with their claims. However, the more our cars choose the routes to take and the less drivers make these choices, the more valuable these services. This may very well be the norm soon, in part because of things like this technology.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652887148371033287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350606083613108606.post-28619782521032473702011-05-04T12:16:18.390-07:002011-05-04T12:16:18.390-07:00I agree that for recurring congestion this would b...I agree that for recurring congestion this would be close to useless. For non-recurring congestion (incidents/crashes/events) this might have some use. I suspect it cannot be sufficiently accurate to be very helpful, and if it is wrong it may be detrimental, but on average it might be able to be a net positive. See<br /><br />http://nexus.umn.edu/Papers/ATIS.pdf<br /><br />and<br /><br />http://nexus.umn.edu/Papers/Probes.pdf<br /><br />for some model results with good and bad information.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02928242617967946614noreply@blogger.com