T-SMART laboratory focuses on developing smart transportation systems for large scale networks, aiming to reduce delays and increase mobility and accessibility, based on real-time traffic data that are collected using advanced sensor and information technologies.
To attain this goal, the lab team develops an innovative interdisciplinary research approach that combines various research fields such as traffic flow theory, control theory, optimal control, optimization, data mining, and robust control. The new approach integrates two research methods: (i) a hierarchical approach to flow modeling in two levels – the network level and the individual intersection level, and (ii) the closed loop method – real-time information feedback – for each modeling level.
Using new and advanced technology of sensors that are able to collect large amounts of traffic data from different locations in the network and easily transfer them in real-time using cellular communication to the lab, T-SMART studies development of a new multi-faceted approach in four research directions: modeling, monitoring, evaluation and control and management of large scale transportation systems. We believe that this new approach will facilitate a better understanding of complex and dense cities and will enable the integration of traffic management and control approaches with smart cities technologies.
The lab installed new sensors in a real transportation network (“a living lab”) to collect real-time traffic data. In the first stage, 19 Bluetooth sensors were installed in roads in Tel-Aviv.
T-SMART lab was established using the startup grant of a new faculty member – Prof. Jack Haddad.