ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN WIDE-AREA CONTROL OF ROAD TRAFFIC, PART 3

The author discusses the basic requirements of the "closed loop" control of road traffic by computer. Mention is made of vehicle sensing devices which monitor the passage of vehicles and, preferably, also indicate their speed, vehicle-length and headway. Data-transmission systems which convey the information from the detector to the central processor and transmit it back to the control signals are examined. The third part of the article is concerned with the requirements of the central control computer, which needs to be of the digital type, and the need for the system to remain dedicated to the task, including during maintenance. Details are given of local signal installations and signal controllers; these need to have the facility to be operated both by remote switching and for local-working in the event of a system failure. The algorithms to be used in the processing by the computer are outlined and reference is made to 'combination' and 'transyt'. In conclusion the alternative of a dynamic plan system and the problems which need to be solved when developing such a system are discussed. See also IRRD abstracts nos. 211595, 211596 & 211598. /TRRL/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also HRIS 096738, 096739 and 096740.
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Building and Control Journals, Limited

  Dorset House, Stanford Street
  London SE1 9LU,   England 

  IPC Building and Control Journals, Limited

  Dorset House, Stanford Street
  London SE1 9LU,   England 
• Authors:
  • Honey, D W
• Publication Date: 1974-9-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 41-42
• Serial:
  • Surveyor - Public Authority Technology
  • Volume: 144
  • Issue Number: 4291
  • Publisher: IPC Building and Contract Journals Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Area traffic signal control; Digital computers; Feedback control; Headways; Highway traffic control; Information processing; Loops (Control systems); Sensors; Size; Speed; Traffic control; Traffic control devices; Traffic signals; Vehicle detectors; Vehicles; Video imaging detectors
• Old TRIS Terms: Wide area traffic control
• ITRD Terms: 1057: Air transport network; 669: Area traffic control; 8673: Digital computer; 9014: Dimension; 685: Headway; 6120: Sensor; 5408: Speed; 654: Traffic control; 565: Traffic signal
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00096740
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1975 12:00AM