Intelligent Traffic Flow Forecasting using Optimized Deep Learning Frameworks: Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Accurate Traffic Flow Forecasting (TFF) is important for emerging Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that support active traffic management, optimize routes, and reduce congestion. In this paper, Deep Learning (DL) methods for TFF, with an emphasis on models like Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) reinforced with attention mechanism, Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM), as well as Stacked Autoencoder (SAE) is used for ITS. In complex traffic situations, these strategies improve prediction accuracy and remove nonlinear spatial-temporal networks. Bio-inspired optimization methods, such as the Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (FFOA), Philippine Eagle Optimization (PEO) and Kookaburra Optimization Algorithm (KOA) are reviewed for adaptive learning, weight initialization and optimal parameter adjustment in order to further improve model performance. The model architectures, optimization techniques, and assessment criteria discussed in recent research are compared in this review to show how they contribute to precise RMSE, MAPE, MAE traffic forecasts. With a focus on multi-source data fusion, real-time adaptability and interpretable AI frameworks for next-generation ITS, it concludes by identifying research gaps and future creativities.