MICRO-COMPUTERS VERSUS TRAFFIC: CHIPPING AWAY AT THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM

This paper examines two separate and almost contradictory influences of micro-chip and communications technology on the nature and management of urban traffic. On the one hand, micro-computers enable traffic engineers to collect and analyse more data at far greater speeds than ever previously envisaged; synthesise and forecast the consequences of policy/investment decisions in the traffic engineering/road planning field at relatively insignificant machine costs; and control the real time system with rapidly increasing precision and confidence. On the other hand, the transfer of data by electronic means is now many times cheaper, more reliable and potentially more democratic than could ever be achieved in a car-oriented environment. The impact of this revolution on work-oriented peak period traffic is likely in itself to solve the "traffic problem" as remote intelligent terminals and computers make unstructured, possibly home-based work patterns, a reality. Investment in traffic signal control systems could perhaps be curtailed in favour of greater attention to systems for providing users with information on the real time condition of the road network. The number of the covering abstract for the conference is TRIS No. 393385. (Author/TRRL)

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  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This paper was presented during the 12th Australian Road Research Board Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, 27-31 August 1984.
  • Corporate Authors:

    ARRB

    Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
  • Authors:
    • KNEEBONE, D C
    • Howie, D J
  • Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 49-61
  • Serial:

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00393444
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: ARRB
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM