2006-2011 LTP Annex 2

Background

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is a term used to describe a range of tools that combine data collection, processing and storage to provide information and management services to help in the implementation of LTP objectives or to solve particular problems. In particular, ITS can increase the capacity of the network which can then be allocated to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

ITS can support the work of the Traffic Manager in undertaking the network management duties with respect to the Traffic Management Act (2004).

Many authorities are already employing ITS to assist in the delivery of transport policies or to solve particular problems. The most common tools are:

• Urban Traffic Control – a system which co-ordinates traffic signal timings in a network to reduce delays and emissions;
• Car Park Management – variable message signs which help drivers to find car parks with spaces;
• Bus Priority – a method of providing priority at traffic signal junctions for buses (or emergency vehicles); and
• Travel Information – the provision of information to travellers to help them plan their journeys.

Current ITS systems in Warwickshire

The County Council has established an urban traffic management and control system over the last ten years and already has several operational ITS tools, including the Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system, Car Park Management system, Variable Message Signs and Automatic Number Plate Recognition system. The last three have been implemented as part of the Department for Transport’s Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) demonstration project in Stratford upon Avon. The purpose of the UTMC project was to integrate various tools via a common database which enables the sharing of information between applications and information to be provided to network managers, other organisations and the public. The UTMC infrastructure provides a good base for the expansion of ITS in Warwickshire. The key to delivering effective ITS is the integration of systems which ensures that resources are shared, not duplicated.

Urban Traffic Control

The Urban Traffic Control system was originally implemented in Warwickshire in 1995. There are currently 43 junctions and 27 pedestrian crossings connected to the system. The UTC system co-ordinates the operation of traffic signals and crossings in a network and reduces the delay to pedestrians and motorists.

The system can be used to remotely monitor the operation of the traffic signals and identify faults quickly. Measurement of delay and congestion is also possible. The system also allows manual or automatic intervention when problems occur.

There are a further 38 isolated traffic signal controlled junctions in the county and 125 pedestrian crossings. Many are connected to our remote monitoring system, which automatically notifies us of faults.

Car park management system

A car park management system has been implemented in Stratford upon Avon, which monitors the occupancy of the off-street car parks and displays the number of car park spaces on 19 car park information signs.

Variable message signs

There are three large free text variable message signs on the A46 and A3400 near Stratford upon Avon, which can be used to display strategic travel information about incidents.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

This system is used on several routes in to Stratford upon Avon to determine journey times. The information from this system can be displayed on the variable message signs.

ITS Strategy for 2006– 2011

This ITS Strategy seeks to plan the expansion of the current ITS tools to other parts of Warwickshire, and to introduce the use of new ITS tools in a coordinated manner. The use of ITS tools supports other strategies in this Local Transport Plan, such as the Public Transport Strategy, the Network Management Duty Strategy and the Congestion Strategy.

The vision of the ITS Strategy is:

'To provide reliable travel information to users, so that they can make informed decisions before and during their journey'. 

The information will be made available on the Internet, on variable message signs, by SMS (text messaging), in bus shelters and at modal interchanges, and in hard copy format.

The information available will include car park occupancy, tariffs and general information; current and forecast congestion; journey times; bus arrival / departure times; and current and planned road works.

Action Plan

In order to make the travel information reliable and credible the existing systems must be validated to ensure that they are being operated to utilise their maximum benefit. The systems can then be rolled-out.

Laying the foundations

• Ensure that all traffic signal controlled junctions and crossings connected to the urban traffic management and control system are operating safely and efficiently;
• Ensure that other traffic signal controlled junctions and crossings are connected to the fault monitoring system where it is beneficial to do so;
• Review the condition and operation of all traffic signal controlled junctions and crossings to ensure performance and develop a plan for renewal of equipment in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Management Act;
• Develop automatic and manual traffic management and control strategies to deal with planned and unplanned incidents in conjunction with the Traffic Manager. The network will be monitored via the urban traffic management and control system, journey time system and liaison with outside organisations such as the police. The implementation of the strategies will be via use of the urban traffic management and control system and other systems such as variable message signs;
• Ensure that the car park information system is monitoring available spaces and collect tariff and other general information; and
• Ensure that the variable message signs are working and that there is a list of approved messages available for use to cover all eventualities.

Expanding the toolbox

• The Public Transport Strategy will seek to implement a real time passenger information system. This is an ITS tool which will enable information on bus arrival / departure times to be displayed at equipped bus stops and modal interchanges. Information can also be displayed on a web site or transmitted by SMS (text message).
• Bus operators will be able to track the location of equipped buses and collect performance information that will assist in improving reliability.
• It will be possible to give priority to equipped buses at traffic signal controlled junctions. The level of priority can depend on whether the bus is running late, on time or ahead of time.
• A network of CCTV cameras will be implemented for traffic management purposes. In addition, all the Borough and District Councils will be approached to explore the possibility of sharing images from their security network where they have good views of the road network. The use of CCTV cameras to enforce Traffic Regulation Orders at junctions will be investigated in accordance with the Network Management duties laid down in the Traffic Management Act.

Roll-out

• The various ITS tools can be rolled-out to other major towns across the County. This will be largely driven by the needs of other strategies and as opportunities arise for developer funding as part of planning gain.

In the lifetime of this Local Transport Plan it is not envisaged that all of the ITS tools will be implemented in all the towns of Warwickshire. However, it is realistic to expect that the existing ITS tools will be fully validated and reliable and will have been expanded to at least one other town. It is also realistic to expect a real time passenger information system covering the major bus routes between Coventry and Nuneaton in the North/South corridor. Finally, the development of an operational, useful and reliable travel information web site can also be expected, with links to external organisations and neighbouring authorities.

Targets and monitoring

The target dates for the various elements of the ITS strategy are shown in Table 10.1. Monitoring will be by regular review of progress towards these targets as part of the APR process.