Virtual sensors: Web-based real-time data collection methodology for transportation operation performance analysis

Recent advances in mobile networks and an increase in the number of GPS-equipped vehicles have led to exponential growth in real-time data generation. In the past decade, several online mapping and vehicle tracking services have made their data available to third-party users. This paper explores opportunities for use of real-time traffic data provided by online services and introduces a virtual sensor methodology for collecting, storing, and processing large volumes of network-level data. To assess the validity of the collected data with the proposed methodology, this paper compares these data with data from physical loop detectors and electronic toll tag readers. Statistical analyses show a strong correlation between the travel time measurements from infrastructure- based sensors and virtual sensors. A travel time reliability analysis is then conducted with the virtual sensor data methodology. The results arc promising for future research and implementation.