A brief overview on the developing trends of Transportation Engineering. Intelligent Transport system uses TECHNOLOGY and existing INFRASTRUCTURAL facilities to provide maximum utility of transport facilities Sincere thanks to FABER MAUNSELL for the material reference and AECOM.COM
2. ITS 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.
3. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
The Underlying Processes
Data
Sources
Central
Processing
Unit
Information
Destination
Communication
Link
Communication
Link
Monitor Acquisition Processing Distribution
Information &
Management
7. ITS Overview
ITS Applications
− Two Main Categories
− Urban
− Inter-Urban
− ITS can also help co-ordinate actions
across authorities and networks
− Sharing data
− Enhanced strategies
9. ITS Overview
What Challenges Can ITS Address?
− 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
What are those ITS solutions?
10. ITS Overview
UTMC
− 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
Urban Traffic Management and Control
11. ITS Overview
Integration - Sharing Data
UTMC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
Operators
Terminals
Signal
Control
VMS
Public
Transport
Priority
Emissions
Monitoring
Road
Pricing
Other Functions
as Required
Common
Database
Other Systems
& Services
Other Users of Information
13. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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
22. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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’
27. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
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. ITS Overview
− 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. ITS Overview
Active Traffic Management
− M42 Junctions 3a - 7: Birmingham
− Multi-Million pound project
− Uses the latest technology
− Not just Controlled Motorways
A Trial of Different ITS Tools and Operational Regimes
M42 J3a-7
31. ITS Overview
Active Traffic Management
− 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
Not just Controlled Motorway…
33. ITS Overview
Active Traffic Management
− 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
Timetable
34. ITS Overview
Active Traffic Management
Advert in Birmingham METRO:
Monday 21st
November 2005
ATM Website: www.highways.gov.uk/atm
Education
35. ITS Overview
Network Advisory Assessment Tool (NASS)
− 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
Summary
37. ITS Overview
What is NASS
− 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
Faber Maunsell involvement
38. ITS Overview
What is NASS?
− 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
TRL SISTM Simulator Used in Phase B
Image
39. ITS Overview
NASS Results
An example assessment of a proposed plan …
Journey times for Junction 3a to 4 Northbound
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
06:00 07:12 08:24 09:36 10:48 12:00 13:12
Time
Journeytimeinminutes
Baseline Journey Times
Nass Run 1 Journey Times
Junctions 3a to 4 Speed-Flow Comparision
0
50
100
150
200
06:00 07:12 08:24 09:36 10:48 12:00 13:12
Time
Speed(kph)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Flow(vehiclesperhour)
Speed1
Speed2
Flow1
Flow2
40. ITS Overview
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