THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MAXIMISING THE USE OF URBAN ROAD SPACE

This paper outlines a wide range of applications of computer and communications technologies to road transport. Route guidance systems display recommended routes to drivers, based on a variety of information sources; they include personal computer software for planning optimal routes before the start of a journey, and various in-car systems now being developed. Urban traffic control systems include systems, such as SCOOT, that coordinate traffic signals over a wide area to reduce congestion, and can provide data about congestion and journey times along links. Other applications of the new technologies include: (1) incident detection; (2) telecommuting, which can bring travel behaviour changes; (3) vehicle design; (4) fleet management; (5) information and communication systems for public transport; (6) computer modelling; and (7) road pricing. The safety implications of these new applications need careful consideration. Much of the research and development for these applications has been commissioned and funded by the European Commission in its DRIVE II and PROMETHEUS research programmes. Several of the applications, described in the paper, are already commercial products. and others will be available to road users during the next few years to help to reduce urban traffic congestion.

• Corporate Authors:

  TRL

  Crowthorne House, Nine Mile Ride
  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom  RG40 3GA
• Authors:
  • WOOTTON, J
  • SHEARN, S
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 9 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Area traffic signal control; Computer programs; Digital computers; Driver information systems; Incident detection; Information processing; Mathematical models; Road pricing; Telecommunications; Traffic congestion; Traffic signals; Travel time; Trip length; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Traffic relief
• ITRD Terms: 669: Area traffic control; 632: Congestion (traffic); 8655: Data processing; 8673: Digital computer; 1632: Incident detection; 697: Journey time; 6473: Mathematical model; 240: Road pricing; 8645: Software; 9117: Telecommunication; 631: Traffic relief; 565: Traffic signal; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00722377
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jun 28 1996 12:00AM