On the layout of fixed urban traffic detectors: an application study

One of the basic functions of Intelligent Transportation System is to collect traffic data through detectors. Thus, the layout of traffic detectors on the urban road system is important for the development of Intelligent Transportation System. With the urgent demand for real-time traffic information, a high-density layout of detectors has been adopted resulting in huge investment. Based on the real demand for the construction of an urban traffic flow detector system, a set of principles for the layout of traffic detectors are proposed, which could be easily carried out to determine the densities and positions of the detectors in practical applications. An applicant example of these principles is also given to explain the whole process in detail, including the method to choose the areas, roads, links and positions for detector installation.