ImFlow optimises traffic flows based on configured policies, making optimal use of the road infrastructure. The uniqueness of ImFlow is its real-time adaptive algorithm that automatically translates policy into optimal traffic flow. A set of policies represent a scenario. Within a scenario each policy is assigned a level of importance allowing the user to balance the importance of the traffic flows, priority vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists within the network.
3. In control of your traffic flows.
The smart and sustainable city
ImFlow will change the way we manage traffic. Effective and
environmentally transportation is the key to a city or region’s
economy and environment, making it a better place to live and
work. The city’s long-term strategy drives the policies, programs,
design criteria, and projects that will further enhance the city
or region’s mobility. Through this plan the city will make its
transportation system more environmentally, economically, and
socially sustainable. Transport planners and traffic engineers require
tools to implement the policies defined in the plan and to keep the
Intelligent Transport Systems up-to-date when demands or policies
are changing. Trade-offs are needed to make optimal use of the
available road infrastructure, traffic flows need to be identified and
prioritised and decisions made about the amount of traffic allowed
onto the network to reduce congestion during peak hours and to
maximise the effectiveness of public transport. ImFlow is this tool
for urban traffic management enabling the city's action plan to be
effectively implemented.
Policy based Urban Traffic Management
ImFlow optimises traffic flows based on configured policies, making
optimal use of the road infrastructure. The uniqueness of ImFlow is
its real-time adaptive algorithm that automatically translates policy
into optimal traffic flow. A set of policies represent a scenario. Within
a scenario each policy is assigned a level of importance allowing the
user to balance the importance of the traffic flows, priority vehicles,
pedestrians and cyclists within the network. ImFlow supports multi-
criteria optimisation at area, route and intersection levels and
allows policies to be defined for each level. ImFlow is an Intelligent
Transport System that can interact with a scenario manager or
strategy supervisor by means of scenarios. Where applicable the
strategy supervisor can change the level of importance of individual
policies providing even finer control over the traffic flows. ImFlow
is highly flexible and scalable providing one solution from a single
intersection to a large city network. As such, ImFlow is the tool to
coordinate the traffic lights in a smart and sustainable city.
4. ImFlow improves Flow, Safety & Environment
■ mFlow reduces traffic congestion by accurately matching signal controller
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operation to prevailing traffic conditions.
■ mFlow improves specific routes by prioritising the traffic flows.
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■ mFlow reduces the waiting time for pedestrians and cyclists.
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■ mFlow improves public transport by minimising the delay and stops and
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assists in the adherence to schedule (i.e. uniform arrival at passenger
stops).
■ mFlow can inform pedestrians and cyclists about the remaining waiting
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time, reducing red light negation.
■ mFlow can give conditional priority to vehicles equipped with co-operative
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technology, promoting schemes like eco-driving for heavy trucks.
■ mFlow reduces traffic accidents resulting from impatient driving by
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making traffic flows smoother.
■ mFlow provides emergency vehicles with a quick and safe passage
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through the network providing absolute priority where applicable.
■ mFlow saves energy by making traffic flows smoother, minimising stops
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and reducing travel time to destinations, thus allowing savings on fuel.
■ mFlow reduces traffic pollution (noise and emissions) by reducing the
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number of times vehicles have to stop.
■ y moving unavoidable congestion to another part of the road network
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ImFlow can influence and optimise the location and the severity of traffic
pollution. By spreading the pollution ImFlow reduces the effect of traffic
pollution on the urban environment.
From policy to flow
ImFlow offers a unique programming concept based on policies
and constraints. The policies and constraints can be directly entered
into the ImFlow system and are used by the ImFlow adaptive
algorithm to optimise the signal timings in real-time. The policies
and constraints are easily understandable by traffic engineers
who need to setup and maintain an ImFlow system where policies
represent the optimisation objectives and the constraints are rules
that must be obeyed in order for the system to function safely. For
example, by defining a policy for a route a traffic engineer can make
the traffic on the route more important than other traffic flows.
Based on this setting ImFlow will minimise stops and delays on the
route to implement the policy. ImFlow tracks all priority vehicles on
the network and predicts their arrival and departure at signalised
intersections and Public Transport stops. A priority vehicle receives
conditional priority based on the configured policies and the current
status of the vehicle.
5. ImFlow Technical Specification
The table gives a summary of the ImFlow functions and capabilities.
Modes of operation ■ Real-time adaptive control.
■ System Activated Plan Selection (SAPS).
■ Fixed time control.
■ Local control.
Configuration and ■ The ImFlow configurator is fully integrated with a micro simulation environment to enable the
testing traffic engineer to effectively configure and test an ImFlow system.
Multi criteria ■ Vehicles.
optimisation ■ Pedestrians and cyclists.
■ Public Transport vehicles.
■ Priority vehicles (e.g. Eco driving trucks, emergency vehicles).
Multi-level ■ The ‘network optimiser’ optimises the signal timings based on the provided policies and within the
optimisation configured constraints. The ‘intersection optimiser’ further optimises individual controller timings
using logic rules.
Public Transport ■ User policies and performance indicators used to manage a PT-route.
(PT) priority ■ Modelling of the behaviour of PT-vehicles on PT-routes.
■ Prediction of the arrival/departure at signalized intersections and passenger stops.
■ Extensive recording of the journey of PT-vehicles.
■ lexible detection concept (e.g. traffic light controller inputs, centre-to-centre interface).
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Hurry calls ■ Absolute priority for emergency vehicles.
■ VIP routes.
User interface ■ Multilingual web based user interface.
Communication ■ ImFlow is fully based on internet technology.
■ Support for both wired and wireless IP networks.
Imtech/Peek believes its products have to contribute to a liveable and sustainable society. Imflow ensures better
traffic flow and less fuel consumption and fits within our policy for corporate social responsibility.
6. Imtech Traffic Infra - Head Office
Basicweg 16
NL-3821 BR Amersfoort
P.O. Box 2542
NL-3800 GB Amersfoort
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 33 454 17 77
Fax +31 33 454 17 40
www.imtech.eu/traffic-infra
The total solution provider www.imtech.eu/traffic-infra