The development of complex road transport informatic (RTI) systems and the Integrated Road Transport Environment (IRTE), both within the DRIVE programme and elsewhere, will result in a profusion of information flows between a large number of the elements that comprise the IRTE. These range from individual vehicle drivers through to international traffic control centres. This paper presents some of the work undertaken in the DRIVE project V 1068 (CHRISTINE) on the Characteristics and Requirements of Information Systems based on Traffic Data in an Integrated Network Environment. The paper presents the results of studies and an analysis of the high level factors which affect a users requirements for information flows, and concentrates on the traffic control centre (TCC) as the principal user. As well as the high level factors, an analysis of the attributes and characteristics of information flow is carried out in order to identify the combination of these elements that is needed to make information useful to an operator. Finally, using the results of the information flow analyses, the role and functions of a more general class of information centres (IC's) are outlined. The role of an IC for providing information flows upon the request of a user is examined. The functions of the IC relate closely to the needs of users and includes the function of information elaboration.
Abstract