Identification Method of Main Road Traffic Congestion Situation in Cold-Climate Cities Based on Potential Energy Theory and GPS Data

Abstract

Traffic congestion is a global problem. Affected by climate, the issue of congestion in cold-climate cities is more serious. To comprehensively and accurately identify the traffic congestion situation on the main roads of cold-climate cities and to provide a reference for city managers for congestion treatment, this study applies the theory of potential energy to the problem of traffic congestion, draws on the symmetry of potential energy and the function mechanism of artificial potential fields, and establishes a traffic congestion potential energy model for the main roads in cold-climate cities. Taking Global Positioning System (GPS) data as the primary data, the model parameters are calibrated using a combination of subjective and objective empowerment methods, and the investigation into the congestion perception level determines the division threshold of the congestion potential energy level. Test results are encouraging, and the method considers the state and the trends and can avoid problems such as lagging road condition information.