Crowdsourced Traffic Intelligence: Architecting and Evaluating a Web-Based Road Update System

Modern urban living requires real-time data access, especially regarding road conditions. This study focuses on the design, development, and evaluation of a Web-Based Roads Update Information System. The system serves as a crowdsourced instrument, allowing users to access the current situation of specific roads in real-time.

System Architecture and Conceptual Model

The core of the project is defined by its System Architecture. The conceptual model outlines the structure, behavior, and multiple views of the developed system. The architecture integrates three key components:

• External Entities: Two primary external entities interact with the system via an API layer tailored for front-end usage.
• Connectivity: A stable internet connection is the backbone, synchronizing the Front-end, the API layer, and the Database to ensure data consistency.

System Workflow and User Interfaces

The application is designed with specific workflows to ensure data integrity and ease of use:

1. Security and Access Control

To control malicious use and verify that all contributors are legitimate, the system enforces an Administrator Login. This step is crucial to avoid inaccurate updates and maintain the platform's credibility.

2. The User Interface (Homepage)

The landing page is responsive, accessible via smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. It provides several key features:

• Search Location Bar: Allows users to query historical data and old posts.
• Traffic Alerts: Displays reports submitted by the community.
• Recent Road Updates: A feed showing the type of incident, specific location, and timestamps.
• Location Maps: Specialized maps dedicated to pinpointing specific places.

3. Reporting Mechanism

Users can contribute via a Report Information Page, posting details about specific incidents. However, these reports do not go live immediately. The system employs a moderation queue where an administrator reviews the report. If the post is deemed valid and concise, it is approved and published to the "Recent Road Updates" feed.

4. Administrative Management

The Admin Dashboard is the control center. Here, the administrator exercises discretion to approve or disapprove reports. This human-in-the-loop verification is essential to prevent confusion caused by baseless or spam reports.

Evaluation Results (ISO/IEC 25010)

The system was evaluated by a demographic comprising drivers, commuters, and travelers. Using the ISO/IEC 25010 software quality standard, the application achieved an overall rating of 4.21 (Excellent).

The breakdown of the evaluation metrics is as follows:

Conclusion

The overall weighted mean of 4.21 indicates that the Web-Based Roads Update Information System is highly acceptable to its target users. By combining a robust verification workflow with a responsive design, the system effectively addresses the need for accurate, real-time road information.