A Hybrid Method for Traffic State Classification Using K-Medoids Clustering and Self-Tuning Spectral Clustering

As an important part of intelligent transportation systems, traffic state classification plays a vital role for traffic managers when formulating measures to alleviate traffic congestion. The proliferation of traffic data brings new opportunities for traffic state classification. In this paper, we propose a hybrid new traffic state classification method based on unsupervised clustering. Firstly, the k-medoids clustering algorithm is used to cluster the daily traffic speed data from multiple detection points in the selected area, and then the cluster-center detection points of the cluster with congestion are selected for further analysis. Then, the self-tuning spectral clustering algorithm is used to cluster the speed, flow, and occupancy data of the target detection point to obtain the traffic state classification results. Finally, several state-of-the-art methods are introduced for comparison, and the results show that performance of the proposed method are superior to comparable methods.