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The Economics of Traveler Information from Probes

Author

Listed:
  • David Levinson

    (Nexus (Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems) Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota)

Abstract

This paper examines the economics of traveler information from probe vehicles to understand how many probes are needed to provide useful information, and how that probe information might be supplied to travelers. Probes differ from permanently installed roadway detection devices both because they provide information that is less current and because an information system centered on this technology can be organized in the form of private clubs rather than a government agency. This paper estimates travel time associated with various shares of probes among the fleet by simulating different levels of probes, information subscription, and congestion. It examines the travel time savings under both recurring and non-recurring congestion. When there is non-recurring congestion, a low frequency of probes is sufficient to detect the incident and enable information consumers to choose alternates. However, smoothing the stochastic nature of traffic under recurring congestion requires a relatively high share of probes (up to one-third of the fleet), depending on the level of congestion.

Suggested Citation

  • David Levinson, 2002. "The Economics of Traveler Information from Probes," Working Papers 200201, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:probes
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    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11299/179895
    File Function: First version, 2007
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lei Zhang & David Levinson, 2006. "Determinants of Route Choice and the Value of Traveler Information," Working Papers 200808, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transportation Information Systems; In-Vehicle Navigation; Advanced Traveler Information Systems; Probes; En Route Guidance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games

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