1. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
An Overview

2. 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.

3. 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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Data Gathering And Information Dissemination

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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’

26. Hazard Warning Systems
Companion System
Intelligent Road Studs (IRS)

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. Active Traffic Management
The reality
ATM Picture

33. 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

34. Active Traffic Management
Education
Advert in Birmingham METRO:
Monday 21st November 2005
ATM Website:

35. 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

36. What is NASS
A screenshot…
Image

37. 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

38. 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

39. NASS Results
An example assessment of a proposed plan …

40. 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

41. Integrated Incident Management