University of Twente Student Theses
Performance of Online Traffic Management in a Municipality
Ruiter, J.H. (2024) Performance of Online Traffic Management in a Municipality.
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| Abstract: | This research evaluates the effectiveness of online traffic management (OTM) in informing drivers about diversions, analyzing road user behavior, and gathering feedback from road operators, users, and residents. TripService, specializing in digital traffic management, collaborates with major navigation providers and offers real-time traffic updates, map adjustments, and event traffic management. Online traffic management, another service provided, uses targeted online means like social media and Google Ads to inform specific groups about roadworks, aiming to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. This study will develop a framework using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess OTM's effectiveness and provide recommendations for improvement based on recent project data. Three case studies were used to analyze: the closure of Prinsenbrug in Haarlem, road construction on Van Muijlwijkstraat in Arnhem, and a directional closure of the A12 highway between Grijsoord and Waterberg. Each case involved different scales and types of roads under municipal and Rijkswaterstaat authority. The cases are analyzed using floating car data from the NDW Dexter portal, analyzing travel times and traffic intensity, especially during peak hours. The data shows how diversions and road closures affected traffic flow and congestion. Additional insights were gained from advertisement campaigns targeting affected commuters and from surveys conducted by TripService post-project. Expert interviews further contextualized the findings. The assessment framework for Online Traffic Management (OTM) focuses on evaluating key performance indicators across three main areas: campaign reach, follow-up behavior and traffic changes, and communication clarity. For campaign reach, the framework looks at total views, clicks, the percentage of users informed by OTM, and the engagement of non-frequent travelers. Findings show that while the A12 project had significantly higher views and engagement, challenges remain in accurately estimating the percentage of the target audience reached. Follow-up behavior and traffic changes indicate that informed users are more likely to adjust their travel plans, such as changing routes, staying home, or altering travel times. Data from the A12 project revealed a 40% reduction in peak hour traffic intensity and effective detour route usage, suggesting OTM's positive impact on managing traffic flow during disruptions. Conversely, the Prinsenbrug project saw only a 10% reduction, highlighting varying effectiveness based on project scope and communication strategies. Overall, it can be seen that when online traffic management is used, road users are informed better and use the advised detour more frequently, while overall traffic decreases more significantly. Experts emphasize that OTM can be particularly beneficial in municipalities where traditional methods may be less effective due to diverse road user types and more complex traffic environments. Suggested improvements include developing real-time dashboards to provide continuous insights into campaign reach and traffic behavior, enhancing the measurability and visibility of OTM's impact. This would help contractors and road operators make more informed decisions and improve the overall effectiveness of traffic management strategies. The study's results are project-specific, which should be considered when using the results. However, the framework offers a foundation for future OTM evaluations, though enhanced data collection and survey methodologies are necessary for more reliable insights. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Programme: | Civil Engineering BSc (56952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/104497 |
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