Knowledge-based models for adaptive traffic management systems

This paper describes a general approach for real rime traffic management support using knowledge based models. Recognizing that human intervention is usually required to apply the current automatic traffic control systems, it is argued that there is a need for an additional intelligent layer to help operators to understand traffic problems and to make the best choice of strategic control actions that modify the assumption framework of the existing systems. The need for an open architecture is stated, in order to allow users to modify decision criteria according to their experience, given that no skills are available yet to deal with real time strategy decision making. An architecture of knowledge is described that is oriented towards traffic management strategic advice applied in the TRYS system developed by the authors. This system has been installed for urban motorway control in several Spanish cities. Finally, an example of knowledge-based modeling, using TRYS, is presented in a case study where both the TRYS model and its operation are described. It is concluded that such an approach is feasible, and is compatible with existing state of the art traffic control systems.