Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) for Traffic Management Systems [ATMS]

ATMS are systems that assist road authorities in maximizing the operational performance and reliability of all aspect of the road network.

The diagram above illustrates the possible elements of an Intelligent Transport System for Advanced Traffic Management Systems [ATMS].

Services

These tools are functionally grouped as follows:

• Traffic control systems
• Traffic enforcement systems
• Incident management systems
• Demand management systems
• Parking management systems
• Information management systems

Components of an Advance Traffic Management System

Advanced Traffic Management Systems involve a complex array of layers to define an overall system. Technology only forms part of the overall system. Two principle components form a typical system, namely the technology layer and the institutional layer. Information is collected, processed and disseminated within the ATMS.
This information could be commands to roadside traffic controllers from a central computer to change the green times based on optimal traffic flow, or it could be the dissemination of existing traffic conditions via a radio broadcast.

Technology

The technology components include:

• Road side devices such as CCTV cameras, linked traffic controllers, variable message signs, used to control, monitor and manage traffic,
• Telecommunications networks including fibre-optic, copper lines and wireless media, used to link the road-side devices to a central operations centre, and
• Traffic management computers in a central operations centre, which analyze, process, record and disseminate traffic management information as well as control roadside devices.

Institutional

The institutional components include:

• People to operate the systems and to provide a public interface to the system, and co-ordinate traffic management and systems related activities,
• Operational procedures, and standards which include maintenance processes, incident management protocols and responses, and
• Traffic engineering inputs to the system, including planning, analysis and design of individual traffic management components and the coordination with the overarching transport planning processes.

Human resources

Of the two primary components, the institutional aspects are of overriding importance. International and national experience has shown that traffic management systems generally fail to meet expectations when the institutional aspects are not successfully developed. Past experience has shown this. Many cities have invested in a number of advanced traffic management systems which can be deemed to have failed to deliver the expected benefits due to the failure, not of the technology elements, but because of the failure of the institutional element.

The key lesson is that investments in ATMS must be carefully planned and that both capital and as well as ongoing operational funds should be considered, and that institutional support must be provided on an ongoing basis to manage and operate ATMS. Without this, these systems should not be implemented.

Why invest in advanced traffic management systems?

Transport plays a significant role in the social and economic development. The effectiveness of the role played by transport is to a large extent dictated by the soundness of transport policy and the strategies utilized in implementing the policy.

The applications of Intelligent Transport System [ITS] technologies that have been developed, tried and tested in first world environments and selectively applied in emerging economies, do significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of traffic management and road safety. Investments in traffic management systems have proven high returns.

The graph below shows the success that similar programs have has elsewhere in South Africa using TMT’s comprehensive service partnership.

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Traffic signals (Traffic Management Installations)

The project allows for the upgrading of 30 traffic signal controllers and related hardware. A few points need to be considered in evaluating these figures:

• The amounts include an allowance for improved street furniture, control strategies and associated signal-timing enhancements.
• The investment in the traffic management and control elements of the road infrastructure will unlock additional capacity within the network. If the in the peak traffic times, the addition to effective capacity through improved control was in the order of 5%.
• An upgrade of this nature would obviously take a number of years to implement. Perhaps a phased two to three year program would be feasible. Through intelligent phasing of the program a number of “quick wins” with greater than average impacts could be achieved.

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CCTV Monitoring

CCTV is one of the essential elements of an advanced traffic management system. It provides the traffic management systems operators the ability to respond immediately to incidents on the road network, with a high degree of confidence. Coupled with the inherent policing capabilities, this multi-functional tool can significantly enhance the potential of a region by providing many positive benefits.

What it means for motorists

CCTV monitoring will provide significant benefits to road users:

• Improved response to incidents by the emergency services. This will greatly contribute to minimizing the likelihood injuries of becoming fatalities at accident sites as the improved response time to providing critical medical care has a proven impact on reducing the likelihood of death from injury.
• Major incidents and congestion are effectively monitored and managed. Rapid and accurate incident detection can provide significant reductions in delays due to incidents. In addition, the chances of secondary incidents or accidents occurring are reduced, providing significant improvements to road safety.
• Rapid overview of network conditions provides up-to-the-minute information for traffic management services and the media. The provision of accurate and timely traffic information is one of the key functions of the traffic management operator.
  Cameras will allow strategic traffic management from the Traffic Management Centre. This will allow the online updating of signal timings to counter manage unforeseen events or incidents on the arterial network. This includes breakdowns and accidents. This provides a significant contribution not only to road safety, but also to personal safety for stranded motorists.