Spatial-temporal data imputation for predictive modeling in intelligent transportation systems

Abstract

Data imputation is necessary to overcome data loss in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) due to the many sensors used to monitor traffic conditions. Sensor malfunction, hardware limitations, and technical glitches can lead to incomplete data, potentially leading to errors in traffic data analysis. This analysis investigated spatial-temporal data imputation approaches applied for predictive modeling in ITS. Each approach's strengths, weaknesses, and applicability in the context of ITS are evaluated. We analyzed various imputation approaches involving statistical, machine learning, and combined methods. Statistical methods are more straightforward but could effectively handle modern traffic's complexity. On the other hand, machine learning and combined approaches, such as hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN)- long short-term memory (LSTM), offer more robust capabilities in capturing non-linear patterns present in spatio-temporal data. This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of each approach in overcoming data incompleteness and the accuracy of predicting future traffic conditions with the widespread adoption of IoT, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. The results of this investigation provide an understanding of the most suitable approaches to address the challenges of spatio-temporal data imputation and provide practical guidance for predictive modeling in ITS.