Cellular Transmission and Optimization Model Development to Determine the Distances between Variable Message Signs

Today, the use of intelligent transportation systems with the aim of smooth traffic and location of passengers and goods, as well as increasing safety and protecting the environment has been widely considered. Variable message signs, abbreviated VMS, are traffic control devices. They are used to inform drivers on time. In this study, locating was performed in two different ways. First, the cell transfer model was performed for Azadi Street in Tehran. Then, this was done on the desired area through an optimization model. According to the analysis and comparison of the two models, it was concluded that the optimal mathematical model determines a greater distance to determine the location of the variable message signs. It also further reduces the amount of input to the blocked area and the total travel time, indicating that this model is more suitable than the cellular transmission model. However, the difference between the two models was very small. The optimal location of the variable message signs was 515 m for the cellular transmission model and 725 m for the optimal mathematical model.