CONTROL EXPERIMENT

Since the early 1960s, traffic engineers in Glasgow have pioneered urban area traffic control. Their trials of linked traffic signals showed that traffic flowed more smoothly and fewer queues occurred as a result. In 1967, the then Road Research Laboratory (RRL) began two large scale trials of area traffic control, linking traffic signals through central computers in West London and Glasgow, with the aim of developing a UK standard control system. Glasgow was set up as a proving ground for new traffic control technology, partly leading to the UK's TRANSYT and SCOOT urban area control systems. In 1975, the local authority commissioned a feasibility study for a next-generation control and information system for Glasgow, which becomes CITRAC (Centrally Integrated TRAffic Control), which especially emphasised motorway traffic control. CITRAC I came into operation in 1980, and its specification included ramp control and automated diversionary routes. CITRAC II came into operation in 1984, but the continuing cost of regularly updating its TRANSYT plans economically constrained its performance. By 1993, the system could not sustain new requirements for message signing and automatic incident detection, so that CITRAC III was commissioned. Glasgow's vision for traffic control has been partly realised, but now also needs revision.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00396303
• Corporate Authors:

  Hemming Group, Limited

  32 Vauxhall Bridge Road
  London,   United Kingdom  SW1V 2SS
• Authors:
  • PURDIE, H
• Publication Date: 1997-5-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 20-2
• Serial:
  • SURVEYOR
  • Volume: 184
  • Issue Number: 5436
  • Publisher: Hemming Group, Limited
  • ISSN: 0039-6303

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Area traffic signal control; Computer programs; Field tests; Freeways; Incident detection; Tests; Traffic signal control systems; Traffic signals; Urban areas; Variable message signs
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 669: Area traffic control; 6226: In situ; 1632: Incident detection; 597: Linked signals; 2752: Motorway; 8645: Software; 6255: Test; 565: Traffic signal; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area; 574: Variable message sign
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00740944
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 30 1997 12:00AM