Virtual Urban Transportation System and Decision Support Mode for Transportation Development

Developing a localized virtual urban transportation system (VUTS) and a decision support mode for transportation development is significant for solving the increasingly severe urban traffic problems caused by rapid urbanization and for overcoming the current bottlenecks that restrain the intelligent transportation system development. Based on the advanced information technologies such as big data and Internet technologies, this study establishes a VUTS that is composed of four parts: basic databases, analysis models, software platforms, and alternative plans; the theoretic framework, systematic functions, and technical system of the VUTS are analyzed. Furthermore, a decision support mode for transportation development is proposed; it covers the application scenarios including urban land development, traffic facilities construction, traffic operation control, public transport operation, and traffic policy making. Subsequently, we built the VUTS of Chongqing and provided plans for the municipal government regarding its decision on shifting peaks for residents and vehicles during the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. The case results suggest that the decision support mode based on VUTS is effective in the demonstration of traffic plans. Therefore, we suggest that China attach importance to the VUIS and its application in urban traffic planning and management and incorporate new information technologies to optimize the application effects.