9th EASTS Conference

The 9th Eastern Asia Society of Transportation Studies (EASTS) Conference will be held in Jeju, Korea on 20-23 June 2011.

Submission for practical paper has already opened meanwhile feedback for submitted academic papers need to be waited until early February.

For more details, please click here.

Lim, Abesamis, Miranda, Chua and Lee. Generating Trip Plans Using Public Transportation Routes

Lim, Abesamis, Miranda, Chua and Lee. Generating Trip Plans Using Public Transportation Routes. Proceedings of the 5th ERDT Conference, Manila, Phils. 10 Sept 2010.

Abstract taken directly from texts and as such, quoted below:

“It is not simple to travel in a city because of the new routes being followed, new buuildings or landmarks being established, and new roads being constructed. Moreover, commuting or travelling using public utility vehicles is complicated especially in Philippine cities like Manila and Quezon City. This paper talks about iTour, a web-based applications that can generate routes and trip plans from a source to multiple destinations.”

This research is also practical though more information should be inputted in the database for it to fully function as intended for route generation and trip planning. The system would be more useful if it will be set up in the web for everyone to utilize it for free.

Lai, Leong, Ortuoste, Yu and Ong. Vision-based Intelligent System for Traffic Analysis (VISTA).

Lai, Leong, Ortuoste, Yu and Ong. Vision-based Intelligent System for Traffic Analysis (VISTA). Proceedings of the 5th ERDT Conference, Manila, Phils. 10 Sept 2010.

Abstract taken directly from texts and as such, quoted below:

“Vision-based Intelligent System for Traffic Analysis (VISTA) is a computer-based vision system that captures video footages of roads for analysis of traffic parameters. Problems with existing technology have led researchers to venture into the use of computer vision. VISTA consists of a dadta acquisition, data processing and result generation modules. The input of the system is a video footage of a roadway taken with a still digital video camera. The input is then converted into an image sequence. Each image is then processed to segregate entities on the road that contribute to traffic from those that do not. Once these entities are identified, pertinent traffic parameters are then computed based on the image sequence. The output of the system can be used as the necessary traffic parameters for traffic management and information systems.

This paper presents the design and implementation of the Codebook sub-module, which is responsible for segregating foreground and background segments of an image. It also outlines performance analysis and evaluation of the sub-module.”

This is one of the good researches that will surely help improve traffic data collection through the use of video cameras and computers. A lot of video image processors for traffic analysis are already being used in other countries. This, however, is locally developed and thus, local application would be much easier, cheaper, and appropriate.

On a note, errors are inherent from devices or personnel performing the data collection. Thus, the system errors present for VISTA is normal. In the conducted on-road object tests, the obtained error can be factored in the traffic flow computations such that more accurate estimates can be achieved.

In the advent of increasing use of surveillance cameras in most cities in Metro Manila, it would be much more wise to include the capabilities of VISTA to maximize the benefits that can be obtained from these. Giving attention to the critical issues of VISTA also would further ensure the accuracy of traffic flow computations. As a transport expert, I highly commend the researchers for producing a practical and valuable tool for traffic analysis to address traffic congestion in the metropolis. This tool should be explored by the MMDA for their real-time traffic surveillance in order to improve the agency’s traffic management and operations.

Happy New Year!

Hello dear readers,

2010 has been a wonderful year of learning, adventure, and experience for Engineer Einjel in the field of transportation! It has been a year of "busyness" that he failed to write and share in this blog.

A new year, however, gives another opportunity to make time with this blog, a new season of learning, adventure, and experiences to share with you. This year is gonna be awesome! So hang in there and together, we'll enjoy more exciting posts.

Hugs and cheers to a blessed new year!

Regards,

engineer-einjel