Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) An Overview

What are ITS? Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) involve the collection and processing of data: to provide information; to advise or control the actions of: travellers; drivers; fleet operators; and network managers using computers with multi-media communications and other technology.

Allows improved use of existing infrastructure by: What Does ITS Offer? Allows improved use of existing infrastructure by: Providing a better understanding of the transport network Live traffic and travel information – quick response Providing new methods to manage the network Improved traffic signals and vehicle priority Improved intra/inter organisational communications Providing new services to the public Travel Information to make journeys easier and more pleasant

How Does ITS Help? ITS is a tool to implement transport (and other) policy Not an end in itself Not a panacea ITS can be beneficial On its own Supporting other measures ITS builds on what is there Not all new SCOOT UTC Flexibility to respond to changing priorities

The Underlying Processes Data Sources Central Processing Unit Information Destination Communication Link Monitor Acquisition Processing Distribution Information & Management

ITS Applications Two Main Categories Urban Inter-Urban ITS can also help co-ordinate actions across authorities and networks Sharing data Enhanced strategies

Improving Transport Within Towns and Cities Urban ITS Improving Transport Within Towns and Cities

What Challenges Can ITS Address? What are those ITS solutions? Congestion Poor safety Integrated services Accessibility Environmental impact Urban regeneration UTMC systems Speed limit enforcement Real time information Bus Priority systems Alternative vehicle routes Parking management

Urban Traffic Management and Control UTMC Urban Traffic Management and Control Based on a common database Can fulfil many objectives Costs vary depending upon the complexity of the system and its requirements Designed for interoperability with non proprietary systems May include, for example SCOOT Urban traffic control Variable message signs Bus priority measures at traffic signals Real time travel information

Integration - Sharing Data Other Systems & Services Other Users of Information Operators Terminals Common Database UTMC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK Signal Control VMS Public Transport Priority Emissions Monitoring Road Pricing Other Functions as Required

Data Gathering And Information Dissemination

Data Gathering Data gathered automatically - in a variety of ways induction loops Cameras CCTV ANPR Floating Vehicle Data Information from RUC schemes and tolling information

Information Dissemination Information available pre trip and on trip Information for Fleet managers, Network operators Delivered in a variety of ways Website VMS Highways Advisory Radio (HAR) Information to your phone via SMS Etc

UTMC Demonstration Projects Early UTMC Systems now operational in Preston, York, Reading and Stratford Largely a ‘Proof of Concept’ using UTMC specifications Different focus in different demonstrators – including VMS, SCOOT, Environmental Monitoring, Car Park Guidance, Real Time Information Sizes of projects also varied Preston UTMC capital costs rated at £1.5m York UTMC costs rated at £4m

Speed Limit Enforcement Old style speed enforcement including Gatso wet film cameras is being superseded Digital Photography Eliminates the need to remove and replace film Cheaper to operate ANPR systems Allows “Distance over time” enforcement IR photography Encourage compliance “Secret Signage” Intelligent Road Studs to measure speeds and advise drivers

ANPR Systems ANPR:- Automatic Number-plate Recognition Systems Uses neural net programming for image recognition High levels of accuracy Technology used for other purposes such as London’s Congestion Charge System

Distance over time Enforcement Some speed enforcement measures cause rapid acceleration and deceleration as drivers break in front of cameras ANPR systems allow vehicles to be identified at different positions on the network Average speed between two points is measured Speed across the entire length of road can be enforced.

Speed Warning Devices ITS provides speed control devices that are not aimed at prosecutions Speed activated signs, Displaying registration of speeding vehicle Maximum appropriate and safe speed may be significantly below signed speed limit Variable Speed Limit applications now being used

Secret Signage Speed activated signs Flash speed limits at drivers exceeding the speed limits Effective at reducing accidents along dangerous stretches of road Guidance is to use it as a last resort

Improving Capacity and Preserving the Asset Inter-Urban ITS Improving Capacity and Preserving the Asset

ITS on the Motorways and Trunk Roads No longer able to keep building new roads to accommodate predicted demand Need new ways to improve capacity Need to ‘lock in’ capacity provided by new / improved road schemes Drivers want more information and more reliable journeys 10% of delays result from road works, 25% from incidents ITS can advise of congestion and help manage road works and incidents Safety improvements result

Ramp Metering – Motorway Access Management Popular in America Used in Glasgow for access to the M8 (introduced 2004) Used on the M6 for many years – many new sites planned Can increases throughput Can improve journey time reliability Guidance on deployment now available from the HA

VMS For Strategic Management and Tactical Control VMS (Variable Message Sign) Display selected information Can be used for special event signing Warns of congestion and can advise of alternative route Different sizes and complexity Controlled by NTCC (strategic) and RCC (tactical) Automatic sign settings with signals possible - linked to MIDAS

MIDAS and VMS MIDAS - Motorway Incident Detection and Automated Signalling Uses induction loops to monitor traffic flow on strategic road network Predominantly for queue protection Automatically sets signals and signs, including variable speed limits Good response: Average time till the system displays signs appropriate to an incident is routinely before RCC is aware of incident Signs and signals clears down automatically when flow returns to ‘normal’

Hazard Warning Systems Companion System Intelligent Road Studs (IRS)

Companion System Series of “companion posts” at the side of the carriageway Radar detector in posts every 0.5 km for automatic activation Posts can flash in groups – including ‘running lights’ approaching the driver – to warn of problem Away from the driver – to encourage throughput Headways / throughput improves Secondary incidents avoided

Intelligent Road Studs (IRS) Deployed on the M8 Between Edinburgh and Glasgow Part of NADICS (National Driver Information and Control System) Used for Guidance in Fog Surface water detection Incident detection Hazard warning

51,000 vehicles a day Cheaper than induction loops Improved visibility over cats eyes 1 road stud per 18m makes the route visible for up to 1km ahead Detector studs every 250m provide information on speed and flow as well as weather conditions Flashing studs give hazard warning of upcoming incidents

Active Traffic Management A Trial of Different ITS Tools and Operational Regimes M42 Junctions 3a - 7: Birmingham Multi-Million pound project Uses the latest technology Not just Controlled Motorways M42 J3a-7

Active Traffic Management Not just Controlled Motorway… Access Control CCTV Based Incident Detection Emergency Refuge Areas Hard Shoulder Management HADECS Digital Speed Enforcement MS4 Variable Message Signs capable of displaying pictograms Possibility of ‘dedicated lanes - including HOV

Active Traffic Management The reality ATM Picture

Active Traffic Management Timetable Installation works now complete Three Lane Variable Speed Limits from Late 2005 Four Lane Hard Shoulder Running from Autumn 2006 Access Control: still to be determined

Active Traffic Management Education Advert in Birmingham METRO: Monday 21st November 2005 ATM Website: www.highways.gov.uk/atm

Network Advisory Assessment Tool (NASS) Summary Computer modelling tool developed by IPL Will be used by ATM Operators in the Control Room Predicts traffic conditions an hour ahead Match conditions to a library of traffic patterns Decide which one of three associated plans will have the most benefit

What is NASS A screenshot… Image

Working for WSP in Basingstoke Ultimate client is the Highways Agency What is NASS Faber Maunsell involvement Working for WSP in Basingstoke Ultimate client is the Highways Agency Testing Phase B of the system completed “Offline” testing / proof of concept Phase C to be installed in the Control Room FM to develop strategies / plans to address incidents

What is NASS Image TRL SISTM Simulator Used in Phase B Used to simulate road conditions and assess Flows, Speed and Journey times across the network with and with proposed Plan “Graphical” modelling tool available to the engineer / operator Each “dot” is a car! Colours show speed of each car Image

NASS Results An example assessment of a proposed plan …

Integrated use of ITS – The Key to Success Better management / more efficient operation Sharing data – collect once, use many times Standardising equipment and protocols – using the best IT can offer Reducing cost / achieving operational targets Dealing with information overload - highlighting what is important Presentation in a digestible format and there when you need it Coordinating effort – knowing what is happening and who is dealing with it

Integrated Incident Management