Sensor Networks as a Support Mechanism in Intelligent Transportation Systems

The increase in human population, the economic and technological developments lead to a higher need for mobility. Expansion of road infrastructure is not enough; efficient solutions for traffic monitoring and control are mandatory to reduce travel times, avoid collisions and traffic congestion, especially in urban areas. The best solution is the transition of traditional transportation infrastructures to intelligent transportation systems that aim to provide real-time solutions for traffic management. This chapter deals with an analysis of sensor networks used in intelligent transportation systems. It emphasizes the role of sensor networks in decision-making processes related to real-time traffic monitoring and control. This chapter provides a mapping between the identified types of sensors and the specific control systems used for this purpose, such as autonomous driving, lane change assistance, vehicle detection and classification, traffic lights control, etc.