Uncovering the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Regional and Local Driver Sources in a Freeway Network

Abstract

We propose a method to identify the congestion driver sources contributing to the major traffic congestion of a regional (Hunan province) freeway network. The results indicate that the congestion driver sources are mostly observed during heavy traffic periods and mainly distributed in the regions surrounding Changsha (the capital of Hunan province) and the regions adjacent to other provinces and freeway interconnecting hubs. Moreover, we develop a method to analyze the major driver sources of a local freeway section. Using the method, the trips affected by traffic accidents or road maintenance works can be identified well. Our findings and the proposed methods could facilitate the deployment of effective traffic control countermeasures and the development of sustainable regional transportation.