Data mining tools for real-time traffic signal decision support & maintenance

This paper describes research investigating the application of data mining tools to aid in the development of traffic signal timing plans. A case study was conducted to illustrate that the use of hierarchical cluster analysis can be used to automatically identify time-of-day (TOD) intervals,, based on the data, that support the design of a TOD signal control system. The cluster analysis approach is able to utilize a high-resolution system state, definition that takes full advantaged of the extensive set of sensors deployed in a traffic signal system and cluster validation supports the hypotheses presented. The results of this research indicate that advanced data mining techniques hold high potential to provide automated signal control techniques.