Urban ITS John Paddington Nottingham University, 23 rd November 2006

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Lecture Overview Real Time Information Urban Traffic Management and Control The ITS Toolkit website

Real Time Information

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Real Time Information What is Bus Real Time Information? How does it work? Where it is used?

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Real Time Information provides: Detailed fleet information for bus operators

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Real Time Information provides: Information at bus stops: when the next bus is due other service information

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Real Time Information provides: SMS text messaging facilities; Travel information booths Web based information via a graphical interface.

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 How does Real Time Information work? (1) Bus Depot Central Control Station 20 Off Street Displays 208 At Stop Displays Satellite Navigation (GPS) Transmission SMS WAP PDA Internet Bus Depot Central Control Station 20 Off Street Displays 208 At Stop Displays Satellite Navigation (GPS) Transmission SMS WAP PDA WAP PDA Internet SMS

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 How does Real Time Information work? (2) Vehicles are fitted with Automatic Vehicle Location equipment, enabling their position to be tracked continuously using the Global Positioning System (GPS) Bus position is transmitted to the central control station using wireless communications: Private Mobile Radio; GPRS; MESH

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 How does Real Time Information work? (3) A central computer uses this information to predict how long it will take for vehicles to reach stops Arrival times transmitted to stops using wireless communications This information is also can be relayed to a computer server for display on the internet

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Public Transport Priority In some systems, vehicles request priority at traffic signals when behind schedule A request is sent when the vehicle crosses a GPS cordon on approach to traffic signals This request can either be relayed via an urban traffic control system or direct to the traffic signals themselves

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Where is Real Time Information in use: Bristol Four bus routes fitted with RTI Installed Spring 2003 Information available at stops and online: ( Showcase scheme also includes bus priority and road improvements 10% increase in bus patronage

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Where is Real Time Information in use: Leicester Star Trak system launched in 2000: Covers 34 routes, expanded into Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Cost approximately £4 million Routes equipped with Star Trak experienced a 28% patronage increase

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Why invest in Real Time Information? Many bus companies see major benefits from being able to locate their vehicles and manage their fleet better; The public like bus real time information, it improves peoples perceptions of public transport; When included as part of whole route treatment RTI can increase bus patronage and reduce reliance on the car; RTI systems provide a platform for other location based services e.g. provision of bus priority at traffic signals; The public will pay for SMS services.

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Real Time Information: The future Road User Charging: Providing investment Integration into the charging system to present current charging Smartcards Electronic payment either on bus or at stop

Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) Background

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Urban Traffic Management and Control Background The system Our Suffolk County Council project

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) In the beginning: Individual traffic signals using fixed time plans Problems: Needs to be updated to reflect changing traffic conditions Doesnt cope well with differing traffic conditions, e.g. at weekends in town centres or near sports stadiums before and after games, bank holidays, after road traffic collisions, etc. Background (1)

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) Next came computer controlled systems using induction loops in the road to detect traffic. Two main examples in the United Kingdom are: MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation ) Single junction SCOOT (Split Cycle and Offset Optimisation Technique) Series of junctions Background (2)

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) Next development was to attach a database to the Urban Traffic Control system This allowed traffic flows and speeds to be monitored Problem was what to do with this information… Database was often isolated Different systems could not talk to each other Background (3)

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) System has a Common Database at its heart Links all subsystems together Common methods to exchange information Allows information exchange between systems Reduces costs as standard protocols used by all manufacturers The solution

Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) Case Study: Suffolk County Council UTMC

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Suffolk County Council UTMC Two lifting bridges Only way north and south of the river UTMC implemented as part of a major regeneration scheme (Waveney Sunrise scheme): Including a new relief road Background: Lowestoft

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Suffolk County Council UTMC Four new variable message signs 16 new cameras 10 new Real Time Information Signs Wireless Mesh Communications Scheme specifics in Lowestoft

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Suffolk County Council UTMC Picture courtesy of NowWireless How the scheme operates (1) – Communications

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Suffolk County Council UTMC How the scheme operates (2) – Variable Message Signs

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Suffolk County Council UTMC New Shopping Centre will mean less car parking spaces To combat this a parking guidance system is being installed Aim is to have the system operational in early December for Christmas shopping Not just Lowestoft: Bury St Edmonds

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 Suffolk County Council UTMC SCOOT UTC system linked to database Includes: Puffin, Pelican, Toucan crossings Signalised Junctions Traffic detectors Vehicle activated signs Not just Lowestoft: Ipswich

ITS Toolkit

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 ITS Toolkit A website: Officially titled Understanding the Benefits and Costs of Intelligent Transport Systems Provides information and guidance for Local Authorities (and Students) What is the ITS toolkit? (1) Image

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 ITS Toolkit Compliments Transport Analysis Guidance (WebTag): Department for Transport advice on appraisal of all transport schemes What is the ITS toolkit? (2) Image

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 What is the ITS Toolkit The Decision Tree(1)

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 What is the ITS Toolkit Includes: Illustrative costs Illustrative benefits Important considerations Guidance on monitoring and evaluation Where to go for further information The Decision Tree(2)

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 What is the ITS Toolkit? Case Studies

Urban ITS, Nottingham University, 23/11/2006 And finally… Any questions? john.paddington.fabermaunsell.com Also: We are at the careers fair today till 3pm Next Wednesday (31 st ) we will be at the sponsorship event in Coates C13 between 1.15pm-5pm. On December 7 th (12pm -1pm) we will be giving a Company presentation.

Urban ITS John Paddington Nottingham University, 23 rd November 2006