{"id":34183,"date":"2018-11-13T17:45:30","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T22:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/los-angeles-traffic-issues-could-be-alleviated-with-machine-learning\/"},"modified":"2018-11-13T17:45:30","modified_gmt":"2018-11-13T22:45:30","slug":"los-angeles-traffic-issues-could-be-alleviated-with-machine-learning","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/los-angeles-traffic-issues-could-be-alleviated-with-machine-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles\u2019 Traffic Issues Could be Alleviated with Machine Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

If a Los Angeles County resident is asked \u201cwhat is the biggest problem facing Los Angeles?\u201d<\/em>, they typically answer with one word, traffic<\/em>. Therefore, it should be no surprise that INRIX recently ranked Los Angeles the most congested city in the world. INRIX arrived at this conclusion following a global vehicular survey that spanned 1,360 cities in 38 countries.[1]<\/a> It is estimated that Los Angeles\u2019 gridlock problem costs the area over $19 billion per year and the average Los Angeles driver spends ~102 hours in congestion. Further exacerbating the issues on the road, the number of licensed vehicles in Los Angeles County has increased every year since 2010 and totaled ~8.0 million in 2017.[2]<\/a> To combat the congestion, the city should consider implementing machine learning technology to optimize the process flow of vehicular traffic using adaptive technology to manage traffic signals throughout the city. Traffic light technology is antiquated; it is typically based on fixed time intervals that become ineffective during peak hours or special events (i.e. sporting events or concerts).[3]<\/a> Machine learning can be implemented to manage roadways and optimize their efficiency in real time and alleviate some of these issues.<\/p>\n

Eighty-four percent of Los Angeles commuters drove or carpooled to work in 2017.[1]<\/a> This habit forced Los Angeles to be an early adopter of some advanced traffic technology. In 2000, the City implemented a transponder system to keep traffic lights green for City buses. This antiquated, yet effective system, decreased bus travel times by 25 percent.[4]<\/a> Taking this concept into the 21st<\/sup> Century, Beverly Hills recently announced a partnership with a Pittsburgh based firm called Rapid Flow Technologies to integrate a machine learning traffic system into 15 of the City\u2019s traffic lights. The firm\u2019s machine learning technology system allows traffic lights, within its integrated network, to communicate with one another to clear traffic based on the volume at upstream and downstream intersections, like LA\u2019s bus solution, but its system adapts to all vehicles. An alternative system is being developed by the Federal Highway Administration\u2019s Exploratory Advanced Research Program and it is currently being used in Arizona and was recently approved for additional cities.[5]<\/a>,[6]<\/a><\/sup> Either of these systems could help to reduce the city\u2019s congestion and upgrade the infrastructure to support the area\u2019s driving culture.<\/p>\n

In 2016, the \u201c$120 billion Measure M ballot was approved to expand transit capacity and improve highways throughout the region\u2026 by [reducing travel time] 15% by 2057.\u201d[7]<\/a> However, Measure M does not address the demand issues that will exist after the highways are improved. Consumer behavior is shifting towards ride sharing and fighting this trend with antiquated methods is a waste of City resources. Los Angeles County should rapidly implement the machine learning technology that is being tested in Beverly Hills in the short term to verify its validity. After verification, it should fully integrate the technology into its traffic infrastructure. The traffic system in Pittsburgh show a 25, 30, and 40 percent decrease in travel time, braking, and idling, respectively.[8]<\/a> If these results can be replicated in Los Angeles County, the region\u2019s travel woes could be alleviated, and additional cost savings and reduced CO2<\/sub> emissions may be realized. There is also potential for this technology to be implemented in the light rail and other mass transit systems.<\/p>\n

Open questions remain about the validity of this proposal. Could this system reduce congestion as much as it has in other cities given Los Angeles vast highway network? The highway system does not utilize traffic lights so the effects of this system may be muted. Additionally, could any of the Measure M capital be allocated to this type of infrastructure improvement?<\/p>\n

(792 Words)<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Graham Cookson, \u201cINRIX Global Traffic Scorecard,\u201d INRIX Research<\/em>, (February 2018), INRIX Research, http:\/\/inrix.com\/scorecard\/<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> California Department of Motor Vehicles, \u201cDepartment of Motor Vehicles Estimated Vehicles Registered by County for the Period of January 1 through December 31, 2017,\u201d downloaded from CA DMV website, https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/wcm\/connect\/add5eb07-c676-40b4-98b5-8011b059260a\/est_fees_pd_by_county.pdf?MOD=AJPERES<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Xiaoyuan Liang, Xusheng Du, Student Member, IEEE, Guiling Wang, Member, IEEE, and Zhu Han<\/p>\n

Fellow, IEEE, \u201cDeep Reinforcement Learning for Traffic Light Control in Vehicular Networks,\u201d IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (Vol XX, No. XX): 1.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Eric Taub, \u201cSystem Lets Traffic Lights Wave Buses Through,\u201d New York Times, September 14, 2000, https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2000\/09\/14\/technology\/system-lets-traffic-lights-wave-buses-through.html<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> \u201cCity approves plan for adaptive traffic signals,\u201d Herald Review Media, August 10, 2018, \u00a0https:\/\/www.myheraldreview.com\/a\/socoae\/city-approves-plan-for-adaptive-traffic-signals\/article_073b7216-9c6d-11e8-9ea9-1f7e16468360.html<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> \u201cNext-Generation Smart Traffic Signals. RHODESNG with IntellidriveSM \u2013 The Self-Taught Traffic Control System,\u201d Federal Highway Administration, (August 2009), https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/publications\/research\/ear\/NextGener.cfm#future<\/a> accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Andrea Lo, \u201cLos Angeles\u2019 notorious traffic problem explained in graphics,\u201d CNN, February 27, 2018, https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/02\/27\/americas\/los-angeles-traffic\/index.html<\/a>, accessed February 27, 2018.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Jackie Snow, \u201cThis AI traffic system in Pittsburgh has reduced travel time by 25%,\u201d Smart Cities Dive, July 20, 2017, https:\/\/www.smartcitiesdive.com\/news\/this-ai-traffic-system-in-pittsburgh-has-reduced-travel-time-by-25\/447494\/<\/a>, accessed July 20, 2017.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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