Traffic models in the era of big data

Abstract

A useful definition of the term "Big Data" refers to the use of predictive analytics, user behaviour analytics, or certain other advanced data analytics methods that extract value from data, and seldom to a particular size of data set. In the traffic modelling area, this is probably the most appropriate definition of how it is applied in the field. This presentation provides an overview of the use of big data in the transportation and traffic modelling fields. It highlights the timeline shifts in traffic data monitoring which began with an almost exclusive focus on infrastructure observations in the 1960’s and 70’s (e.g. fixed sensors), moving to individual vehicle monitoring in the 80’s and 90’s (e.g. AVL, GPS), to individual travellers nowadays (e.g. Mobile Phones and Tablets).