Incident detection using support vector machines

This paper presents the applications of a recently developed pattern classifier called support vector machine (SVM) in incident detection. Support vector machine is constructed from a unique learning algorithm that extracts training vectors that lie closest to the class boundary, and makes use of them to construct a decision boundary that optimally separates the different classes of data. Two SVMs, each with a different non-linear kernel function, were trained and tested with simulated incident data from an arterial network. Test results have shown that SVM offers a lower misclassification rate, higher correct detection rate, lower false alarm rate and slightly faster detection time than the multi-layer feed forward neural network (MLF) and probabilistic neural network models in arterial incident detection. Three different SVMs have also been developed and tested with real I-880 Freeway data in California. The freeway SVMs have exhibited incident detection performance as good as the MLF, one of the most promising incident detection model developed to date. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.