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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Running Head: Lab 1-Traffic Wizard Product Description
Lab 1 - Traffic Wizard Product Description
Sujani Godavarthi
CS 411
Professor Janet Brunelle
Old Dominion University
March 28th, 2012
Version Three
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Table of Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………. 3
2. Traffic Wizard Product Description ………………………………………………………4
2.1 Key Product Features and Capabilities ……………………………………………….4
2.2 Major Components (Hardware /Software) ……………………………………………8
2.3 Target Market/Customer Base ………………………………………………………11
3. Traffic Wizard Product Prototype Description…………………………………………. 11
3.1 Prototype Functional Goals and Objectives………………………………………… 11
3.2 Prototype Architecture ………………………………………………………………12
3.3 Prototype Features and Capabilities………………………………………………… 13
3.4 Prototype Development Challenges …………………………………………………16
4. Glossary …………………………………………………………………………………16
5. References………………………………………………………………………………. 19
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Traffic Wizard Update Process ………………………………………………….6
Figure 2: Virtual Checkpoint System ………………………………………………………6
Figure 3: Traffic Wizard Data Flow ……………………………………………………….8
Figure4: Major Functional Component ………………………………………………… 10
Figure 5: Major Functional Component………………………………………………… 14
List of Tables
Table 1: Prototype Features Table …………………………………………………………..16
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
1. Introduction
Traffic Wizard is developed as a smartphone application that will provide assistance
to drivers to avoid heavy traffic along their stored custom and new routes. Due to the
increase of heavy traffic being congested in regions where population growth is more
than usual, high and traffic is congested, drivers and commuters experience delays.
Americans suffer 4.8 billion hours of excess commute time every year while 1.9 billion
gallons of excess fuel is consumed while waiting in traffic (Texas Transportation
Institute, 2011). A driver’s limited awareness of adverse traffic conditions increases
his/her potential to get caught in heavy traffic congestion.
Heavy traffic factors are many reasons like Visual Cues, Media, Word of Mouth,
Traffic Cameras and Mobile Applications. With the traffic delays, drivers cannot
completely depend with above factors and receiving unreliable traffic data. Current
mobile applications with apps (manually done) are a distraction to the driver while
travelling. News and other media are helpful but subject to change within some areas and
unexpected blockages. GPS devices provide directions to assist navigation but the
information being provided is very limited to the driver.
With Traffic Wizard smartphone application, statistics numbers to be reduced (Texas
Transportation Institute). One of the main features is Virtual Checkpoint System of the
Traffic Wizard app is for labeling specific latitude and longitude coordinates along roads
to act as representations of the traffic status in that area and as flags to trigger data
exchange for driver’s phones. It’s a personalized smartphone app solution to help inform
the drivers of travel conditions before and during the trip by real-time updates. The app
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
will exhibit travel profiles wherein the drivers store their most frequent routes and current
routes and can check destination time.
2. Traffic Wizard Product Description
The main objectives for the application Traffic Wizard is personalized profiles for
storing frequent or favorite routes, and analysis of the stored routes during the travel time
or pre-travel. Virtual Checkpoint System is an efficient feature for the drivers in order to
provide data exchange. GPS locations of specific points along roadways identify the road
segments by the flow of the traffic congestion and can be dynamically reallocated as
roads and traffic patterns change accordingly with the traffic.
2.1. Key product Features and Capabilities
The innovative aspect of Traffic Wizard lies with its method of data distribution and
collection through the virtual checkpoints. By systematically reducing the amount of data
transmission between the driver app and the server, the Traffic Wizard system will
provide the drivers with real-time traffic updates and route analysis services. This would
result in less distraction to the driver. There will be minimum usage to their smartphone
battery or data plan, instead of draining up for the application to run all the time. Drivers
who have access to a smartphone, which has only the following operating system
Android and iOS, will be able to download and use the features of the Traffic Wizard
application. Other innovative features of the app are Real-Time Data Exchange, Traffic
Analysis, Driver Profiles and Virtual Checkpoint System.
Each registered user has their own driver profile that they can use to keep track of
their most frequently travelled routes. These routes can be manually be entered by the
driver or being traced when a user drives which can be stored into their phone. Before
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
travelling, with the help of driver profile, they can see the travel time for a particular
destination.
Utilizing the Virtual Checkpoints will reduce data exchange size and also provide the
user with current traffic update and reliable traffic data. The virtual checkpoint system
will enable the app to minimize data exchange between Traffic Wizard smartphone and
the app servers. The virtual checkpoints are latitude/longitude specific points along the
roads. They identify the road segments by the amount of traffic congestions and
dynamically re-allocated as roads and traffic patterns change. The server returns
information with real-time traffic status being updated to the smartphone app. Data
exchange that occurs between the driver’s app and the server can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Traffic Wizard Update Process
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Figure 2: Virtual Checkpoint System
Virtual checkpoints are located with specific latitudes and longitude coordinates and
placed along the road segments. Each checkpoint is noted with color-coded traffic status
update to represent the current traffic. A green traffic status would notate there is a little
delay at the road segment, while a road status shows the traffic is backed or jammed in
that particular area. These virtual GPS locations act as flags for the application Traffic
Wizard to upload travel data to the driver and download the necessary updates while
travelling or driving. These checkpoints can be reallocated with the demand and for
special traffic conditions. Checkpoints can be allocated within a small area to help
determine blockages or be used in rush hours or heavy traffic flow to assist in providing
the accurate travel information to the drivers.
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Figure 3: Traffic Wizard Data Flow
Exchange of data is an important aspect in the smartphone application and in the Traffic
Wizard server. It receives the conformation updates from the checkpoints that are
allocated along the road segments. Proper speed limits are determined through the speed
limit database where the information will be obtained from the posted speed limits on the
road. For the checkpoint transmission, when the phone data is sent to the server and using
some of the algorithms and databases the information will calculated properly and will
sent to the driver’s phones.
The important feature of Traffic Wizard is the pre-trip analysis. Every user that uses
the application Traffic Wizard has their customizable driver profile where they can save
their favorite or most frequent routes for easy accessibility. Drivers or users can select a
route before travelling and check for traffic updates. The app send the request to the
server with the preprogrammed route and with the help of virtual checkpoints, traffic
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
updates can be determined. In this way, the driver device can minimize the usage of
network and phone battery.
Drivers using the app are not assured to check for decrease in delays for their trip. It
is also not guaranteed that real-time traffic update will be always available to the drivers.
In some areas the updated information depends on the users travelling with Traffic
Wizard app. Information on blockages cannot always be fully identified as an accident,
construction or an event. If there is delay in traffic, a prediction that there might be a
blockage along the route. Other features are not implemented in Traffic Wizard include
detection of emergency response vehicles on the road and turn-by-turn directions to given
destinations.
2.2. Major Components
The major functional components of the Traffic Wizard prototype are Traffic Wizard
app and server and the interaction between them. The user interaction will be within a
smartphone app and analysis information is sent to the server, shown in Figure 4. The
driver profile, route pre-weighing system and map interface will be included with the
application. Virtual Checkpoints are used along the road segments to identify the flow of
traffic.
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Figure 4: Major Functional Component Diagram
There are two main components of Traffic Wizard application and the server and its
communication. The server of the Traffic Wizard system handles the traffic information,
manages the driver profiles and checks the information sent and received from the virtual
checkpoint system. Using the Google Maps API, the GPS system, traffic updates will be
provided in timely manner to the smart phone app Traffic wizard. The GPS will provide
the coordinates of the certain road when the driver is travelling and with the help of
Google Maps we will provide the directions along the way.
The virtual check points help in under conditions or road disturbances where exchanges
of data are done. The Aggregate Speed Algorithm will determine the speed of the moving
car and passing through each virtual checkpoint. Next, the Checkpoint Allocation
Algorithm determines where the checkpoints need to be placed in specific roads or
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
routes. The Route Analysis Algorithm determines the actual delay when travelling along
the current route or pre analyzed route providing alternate routes with the respective flow
of the traffic. The Next Checkpoint ETA algorithm determines approximately the time
taken for the device to reach the next virtual checkpoint system and waits for the
information to be passed to the server about the traffic status.
The data is checked at each point and checking against the posted maximum speed limit.
The driver route database stores the frequently visited or favorite routes of the driver. The
driver information such as payment options, subscription and their personal information
will be secured. There will be a public speed limit database to monitor the speeds of the
car travelling and notifying the drivers. Whenever a driver passes through a virtual
checkpoint the information is sent over to the server so it can provide the latest update
and be helpful to the driver.
The simulated data is generated by the server to transmit it to the drivers on the
road being passed through proper algorithms and information is stored in the virtual
checkpoint database. Each virtual checkpoint coordinates are stored in the database and
these resulting raffic updates can be viewed in the simulation protoype where the actual
virtual checkpint is located. The prototype will feature driver profile database by
allowing the user to creat a profile and can adding routes. Their profile is stored on the
database as a registered user. A public speed limit database (referenced) will be used in
the Traffic Wizard algorithms where the algorithm needs to determine the proper speed
limit of certain roads.
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
2.3 Target Market Customer Base
Traffic Wizard’s target market customer base is drivers accessing smartphone in
metropolitan areas and Old Dominion University. Drivers, users having access to a
smartphone can download the Traffic Wizard application. Once installed and run, they
can set up individual profiles and save information. The base for this application to work
is having internet connection where in data is updated frequently according to the
preference of the driver. The initial developed stage will be in the areas of Hampton
Roads, Old Dominion University. There are many applications that are already in market
and popular. Traffic Wizard application has new features than any other application so it
will be helpful to the drivers and be successful.
3.
Traffic Wizard Product Prototype Description
The Traffic Wizard system offers features that require cooperation among software
and hardware components in order to bring timely information to end users. In order to
do this, the prototype must put the planned concepts and designs to be tested against
simulated data to prove that the system works. Operation of these various components
requires specific functionality in order to accomplish these features, such as smartphone
app stability and server algorithm efficiency. This section describes how the prototype
system for Traffic Wizard will be designed to prove the defined concepts.
3.1 Prototype Functional Goals and Objective
The objective is to simulate the data with the real-time traffic, reduce scope, usability,
optimizing the server load and depends on the situations of the traffic. The data can be
achieved with certain algorithms used in developing this application. For the prototype
we will have to test this application in the surrounding areas of Hampton roads, Norfolk,
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Old Dominion University. This will be helpful to the students and commuters as it can
help better in saving time and fuel consumption. The installation of the application is
really very easy and well exhibited. Once purchased according to the subscription fees
and it’s less distracting to the driver. Being a graphical user interface, the driver will not
get distracted, keep interacting with the application and notification alerts will be
received automatically. As data is passed to phones it approaches the database, the server
and these should be maintained properly. With this checkpoint allocation algorithm the
server will not receive much load and information will be updated properly.
3.2.Prototype Architecture
The major functional components of the Traffic Wizard prototype are shown in
Figure 4. The client side for the smartphone app and the server are the main categories
for the prototype system. The client app for the prototype will include all the GUI
components described in the Prototype Features Table (Table 1) in Section 3.3 to be used
in the simulation. The server will contain the simulation algorithms, Traffic Wizard
algorithms and databases. The prototype for the smartphone application will be both the
server and the smartphone.
The simulated data is generated by the server to transmit it to the drivers on the road
being passed through proper algorithms and information is stored in the virtual
checkpoint database. Each virtual checkpoint coordinates are stored in the database and
these resulting raffic updates can be viewed in the simulation protoype where the actual
virtual checkpint is located. The prototype will feature driver profile database by
allowing the user to creat a profile and can adding routes. Their profile is stored on the
database as a registered user. A public speed limit database (referenced) will be used in
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
the Traffic Wizard algorithms where the algorithm needs to determine the proper speed
limit of certain roads.
Figure 5: MFCD Phase 1
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
3.3 Prototype Features and Capabilities
The prototype for the Traffic Wizard system involves the smartphone app, server
and Simulation Console. The Traffic Wizard prototype app is used for the functionality of
the product application and demonstrated within the team. The server will have Driver
Profile Database and Virtual Checkpoint Database to be used for the simulations. Drivers
can create and edit their custom routes in their respective driver profiles where
information is stored in the server. Simulated driver data will be obtained from Driver
Profile Database and Virtual Checkpoint Database.
The smartphone GUI displays the screens in the prototype as Login, New User,
New/Edit Route, Delay Notification and settings. The login gui must allow the user to log
into Traffic Wizard. The new user gui will allow the new user to create an account for the
application Traffic Wizard. The new user gui will allow the user to set user specific
routes. Delay notification will notify the user of the traffic conditions for pre-travel.
There will be a setting option where in the user can set their preferences and their driver
profiles. Traffic Wizard will use the custom profile created by the driver to show the
route. The user can enter manually or store their custom routes. Based on this
information, calculations and analysis will be done before travel. Virtual checkpoints are
latitude and longitude points in the Traffic Wizard. In diagram 5, utilization of
checkpoints will be displayed.
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Features
Data Miner
Traffic Conditions
GUI
Login
New User
Settings
Trip Editing
Route Tracer
Travel Map
Simulation
Console
Virtual
Checkpoints
GPS
Latitude/Longi
tude
Coordinates
Driver
Acknowledge
ment
Data Exchange
Database
Driver
Profile
Database
Virtual Checkpoint
Database
Speed
Limit
Database
Algorithms
Aggregate Speeds
Checkpoint
Allocation
Checkpoint
Reallocation
Final Product
Prototype
It will retrieve real-time travel information from
drivers using the app.
Simulated driver metadata to use
in analysis.
Allows user entry of authentication credentials.
Allows a user to create an account and select a
membership.
Restricted to specific test users.
Not implemented because of
scope.
Not implemented because of
scope.
Allows user to alter application settings and options.
Allows user to specify a new route to be saved or
modify an existing route.
Program function to track a route to be saved as it is
driven by the user.
Non-interactive screen that displays current traffic
conditions while driving.
Restricted to limited test area.
Not implemented because of
scope.
Not implemented in Final Product.
This is implemented.
Demonstration interface for
simulated driving scenarios.
Associates GPS coordinates along roads with
checkpoints.
Simulated coordinates for handselected checkpoints.
Recognizes drivers passing GPS location
(checkpoint) as an event.
Upload user velocity at checkpoint being passed /
Download necessary traffic updates for
checkpoints along the route.
This
is
implemented
simulated checkpoints.
on
This
is
implemented
simulated checkpoints.
on
Stores customer account information, credentials,
and payment method.
Stores checkpoint coordinates, current traffic status,
and historical statistics.
Stores static information on speed limits for public
access.
This is implemented with test
users.
This is implemented with
simulated checkpoints.
Analyzes and filters driver inputs to determine
current traffic speed.
Initial assignment of GPS coordinates to initialize
checkpoints.
Redistribution of checkpoints along roads as
determined by current checkpoint statuses and
This is implemented.
This is implemented.
Not implemented because of
scope.
Only implemented on specific
driving scenarios.
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
historical patterns.
Route Analysis
Next Checkpoint
ETA
Driver Generator
Finds blockages, calculates delays, and outputs
alternate route suggestions.
Estimates time to arrival at next checkpoint from
client side for GPS/data/battery management.
Not implemented in Final Product.
Table 1: Prototype Features Table
This is implemented.
This is implemented.
Randomly generates virtual
drivers with speeds for
testing purposes.
3.5. Prototype Development Challenges
The challenges for this smartphone application is data should be verified before
sending and receiving, reducing the scope of phone battery, network usage and server
maintenance. The amount of data is filtered and sent in minimal way so it does not
consume much time for the driver to acquire the information. Optimizing the server load
is an important task because the information is dependent for the exchange of data to be
sent to the application.
4. GLOSSARY
3G Internet Connection: Standard for mobile telecommunication that is used for cellular
telephones and mobile Internet access.
Alpha testing: First testing phase for Traffic Wizard that will be available to select
institutions (closed access) for duration of 30 days.
Beta testing: Second testing phase for Traffic Wizard that will be available to the public
(open access) as a demo for duration of 90 days.
Communication Protocol: A defined set of rules for the exchange of digital messages and
telecommunications.
Custom Route: Any user-entered route that is saved to the phone to be driven later.
Customer Investment: The risk that involves keeping customer interest in the product and
ensuring continuing financial support from the customer base.
Customer Risks: Risk category that consists of potential issues that are related to Traffic
Wizard customers (e.g., ease-of-use to customer, driver distraction).
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Data Mining: Refers to the collection of travel metadata from drivers using the Traffic
Wizard app for analytic purposes.
Database: Organized data storage for Traffic Wizard server operations – including
information on traffic patterns and associated data for virtual checkpoints.
Distraction: Any interaction with a driver while they are driving in which their attention is
diverted from focusing on the road ahead. This is renowned as a potentially deadly state
for a driver to be in while driving.
Driver/End User: Customers who purchase and use Traffic Wizard.
Driver Profile: App feature that allows users to store their most frequent (or favorite) routes
that they travel to be saved on their device. Stored routes can be pre-analyzed by the app.
Functionality Testing: Component of testing phases that involves ensuring Traffic Wizard
features are operational as expected and performing their respective functions.
Global Positioning System (GPS): Satellite navigation technology that provides latitude and
longitude coordinates for a specific location that is typically used in route navigation.
Goal(s): Planned future accomplishments for development by the Traffic Wizard team.
Google Maps API: Web mapping service provided by Google that is utilized by Traffic
Wizard for route analysis.
GUI Functionality: User interaction with the graphic user interface to perform an operation
on the Traffic Wizard app.
Hardware Failure: Inevitable risk of technical failure of Traffic Wizard server equipment.
Incidental Traffic Congestion: Traffic congestion caused by an unexpected event such as
an accident or emergency situation.
Latency: Delay in digital communication that represents the time between a message being
sent and that message being received.
Network Maintenance: Upkeep of server hardware, network traffic, and integrity of server
Internet connection.
Optimization (Server): Performing calculations for route analysis in the most efficient
manner available in order to return practical real-time results.
Periodic Traffic Congestion: Traffic congestion that occurs as a result of a planned activity
(such as construction) or a regular time of heavy traffic (such as rush hour).
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Pre-travel analysis: Route analysis report that is computed by the Traffic Wizard server
prior to the time that the user expects to drive that route.
Pre-weighting system: App feature that allows users to configure their stored routes to be
analyzed for traffic conditions and status at a time prior to the expected travel time.
Prototype: Early development stage of Traffic Wizard that involves simulation of data
exchange and proof-of-concept for announced features.
Real-time: Data that represents the current traffic conditions (at the current time of day).
Return on Investment: Company net gain after investment for production and after public
release.
Road Segment: Any defined, unbroken partition of road that lies between intersections to be
used in assembling custom routes.
Route: Particular set of roads that a user drives to reach their destination.
Route Analysis: Main app feature that focuses on the route that a user is currently driving
on. Routes being driven are analyzed for traffic status to report to the user (and make
alternate route suggestions if applicable).
Server Infrastructure: Organizational structure of the Traffic Wizard server.
Server Load Testing: Testing phase for the Traffic Wizard server involving a purposed
mass data-sending routine in order to test the server’s ability to handle that amount of
input.
Simulation Console: Application developed during prototype stage to be used as a
demonstration platform for Traffic Wizard proof-of-concept. Will hold data for multiple
driving scenarios to be called for demonstration.
Smartphone: Personal cellular devices that is equipped with a mobile operating system such
as iOS or Android.
Software: Programs and data that are involved in Traffic Wizard computations.
Timestamp: A small note of the current time of day to accompany the data packet
containing driver location and speed during travel data collection.
Traffic Avoidance: Goal and main focus of Traffic Wizard which will be utilized to reduce
the delay that a driver experiences during their average trip.
Traffic Wizard: Traffic-monitoring smartphone app developed by the CS 411 Blue Team.
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Lab 1- Traffic Wizard Product Description
Travel Data Collection: Time-stamped information about a driver’s position, speed, and
direction that is uploaded to the Traffic Wizard server from the app.
Trip: Entire driving process from when a user first begins driving (and using the app) to
arrival at their destination.
User Interface: Set of menu and map screens used in the app to make Traffic Wizard
features accessible through a GUI.
Virtual Checkpoints: Traffic Wizard system for labeling specific latitude and longitude
coordinates along roads to act as representations the traffic status in that area and as flags
to trigger data exchange for drivers.
5.REFERENCES
Halsey, Ashley III. (2011, January 20). Washington area tied with Chicago for traffic
congestion, study finds. The Washington Post . Retrieved from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2011/01/20/AR2011012000056.h
tml [1]
Messina, Debbie. (2010, January 23). Downtown Tunnel ranked as one of 20 worst
commutes. The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved from
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/01/downtown-tunnel-ranked-one-20-worst-commutes [2]
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administation, Traffic Safety Facts.
Retrieved from
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1108.pdf [3]