Item 4 (e)
Congestion Scrutiny
BACKGROUND TO THE USE OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
(ITS)
Author: Sanjay Patel, Hertfordshire County Council - Hertfordshire Highways
1.
What are Intelligent Transport Systems?
These are a range of technologies (CCTV, ANPR, Wireless links, digital
maps, digital displays, detectors, GPRS etc) deployed on street to deliver
outputs such as passenger ticketing systems across multiple operators, real
time passenger information, traffic and travel information, car park guidance,
traditional and advanced traffic signal control and operation.
ITS allows traditional and new technologies to work better together and more
efficiently or with less cost. ITS also allows Local authorities to deliver better
connected and improved operational transport networks to most users and
across all main modes (walking, cycling, motor vehicle, bus & rail).
2.
How can it help to reduce congestion?
ITS can provide can provide additional road capacity without the time and
costs associated with upgrading existing infrastructure. Through Urban Traffic
Management and Control (UTMC) existing routes can proactively manage
traffic flows more efficiently through multiple junctions and routes. UTMC
helps to reduce journey times during peak hours.
The introduction of Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) systems have
shown that they can increase Bus patronage as they allow users to view bus
departure and arrival information in advance of their journey allowing better
planning and for their journey. Providing better quality bus operations and
services increases modal shift away from the private car. RTPI can be
delivered alongside integrated ticketing services by making it easier to pay for
the journey ahead and reduce the time taken to pay for individual journeys by
each passenger. This reduces the journey time of the bus service.
3.
What ITS Systems is Hertfordshire County Council delivering?
3.1
HCC will be delivering a new Urban Traffic Control System. Urban
Traffic Control (UTC) is used to monitor and coordinate traffic signal
operation, normally through a centrally located computer. UTC systems are a
specialist form of traffic management which manages traffic lights over a wide
area in order to optimise traffic flows on the road network.
The UTC system is an essential tool in achieving Hertfordshire's Local
Transport Plan (LTP) 'Transport Objectives' and in the delivery of the broader
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Strategy. The current UTC system owned
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by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has been identified by the Council as
life expired and does not have the functionality to meet future aspirations and
LTP objectives. As such, the UTC system has been programmed for renewal
and funding has been approved to enable procurement.
Figure 1 Hertfordshire UTC.
Hertfordshire Highways
Operators
UTC Region
UTC Region
User Terminal
UTC Server
UTC Region
Remote Access
System Maintainer
3.2
AVL/Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI)
Technology - The system being procured uses satellites and mobile
communications to track buses and impart up-to-date information about
services to passengers. The satellite and communications part of the system
is called Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL). Information about the location of
buses is then used to better control punctuality and to inform passengers of
the actual arrival time of a bus (real-time passenger information, RTPI).
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The main components of the system are:
• A core AVL system with highly functional service delivery
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management tools,
On bus equipment (including an on-board computer to manage the
schedule data and communications),
Depot computer systems to upload relevant schedule data,
Information displays and other dissemination including the internet,
kiosks, and mobile devices,
Bus priority equipment, and
Communications equipment including a voice capable private
mobile radio.
INIT Gmbh has been appointed the preferred supplier through a tendered
process. HCC will be working with INIT and the bus operators to deliver a fully
functional system by the end of 2011.
Figure 2 - A schematic of the AVL/RTPI system.
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3.3
UTMC – common database.
A UTMC CDB provides comprehensive functionality supporting traffic
managers in their duties under the Traffic Management Act. A UTMC CDB
enables integration with many disparate Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
and allows for the control and monitoring of, and data collection from ITS
equipment including:
• Network monitoring equipment;
• Public transport information systems;
• Urban Traffic Control (UTC);
• Variable Message Signs (VMS); and
• Car Park Management and Guidance systems.
Hertfordshire County Council are committed to the deployment of a UTMC
CDB in advance of the implementation of the wider ITS strategy, to provide a
UTMC framework into which existing and future ITS tools can be integrated to
produce a powerful transport system management tool for Hertfordshire.
There are many benefits can be realised from the implementation of a
UTMC CDB, some are listed below:
• Enables centralised coordination and management of a variety of traffic
systems and sources of travel information;
• Enables analysis and storage of relevant data from all connected sub
systems.
The wide range of information stored makes it easier to implement and
monitor the performance of different applications;
• Enables efficient dissemination of transport information to transport users
(via websites, on-street kiosks, VMS or mobile devices);
• Reduces the amount of time and effort operators have to spend entering
data and locating and interpreting information;
• Enables strategy selection in response to information collected;
• Enable LA’s to manage the road network better through provision of efficient,
real–time, integrated traffic management and control;
• Recognised as the tool for meeting the network management demands of
the Traffic Management Act; and
• Enables close co-ordination with adjoining Local Authorities and the
Highways Agency to facilitate smooth journeys across urban/inter-urban
boundaries.
Figure 3 HCC UTMC Common database & Figure 4 UTMC system
Architecture.
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The UTMC common database will be operational with core functions by the
end of 2011. Watford is likely to be the first urban area to be in full UTMC
operation followed by St Albans.
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