Analyzing Spatio-Temporal Travel Times using Crowd-sourced Data

This project delved into the intricate relationship between school closures, traffic congestion, and smog in Lahore, Pakistan. As part of the Smart Data Systems and Applications (SDSA) team at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), we aimed to leverage data-driven analysis to understand the effectiveness of closing schools on Mondays in reducing traffic congestion and ultimately alleviating smog.

• Investigate the impact of school closure policies on traffic congestion levels in Lahore.
• Analyze the correlation between traffic congestion reduction and improvements in air quality, particularly regarding smog levels.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on data-driven findings to inform future policy decisions and urban planning initiatives.

• Utilized the Google Maps Platform to extract data on travel times, routes, and congestion levels in Lahore.
• Conducted data preprocessing, including normalization of travel times and comparison of velocities to assess traffic congestion.
• Employed statistical analysis techniques to interpret the impact of school closures on traffic congestion before and during the winter break.
• Visualized findings through graphs, heatmaps, and geospatial mapping to facilitate understanding and communication of results.

• Identified a significant decrease in traffic congestion on Mondays, particularly during the winter break when schools were closed.
• Observed a correlation between reduced traffic congestion and improvements in air quality, indicating the potential effectiveness of school closure policies in mitigating smog.
• Highlighted Thursdays as a day with the greatest decrease in congestion, suggesting alternative strategies beyond Mondays for reducing traffic congestion and smog.

This project sheds light on the efficacy of school closure policies in addressing traffic congestion and smog in Lahore. By providing actionable insights derived from data analysis, we intended to inform policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders about effective strategies for mitigating the impact of smog in the region. Our findings underscored the importance of proactive measures and evidence-based decision-making in tackling environmental challenges like smog.