The PRINT project seeks in simple terms to permit a more green traffic flow in urban areas through reducing pollution from commercial trucks by giving priority and thereby decrease the numbers of stop and starts. The green ITS solution is based upon existing technology like detection, tracking and priority hierarchy within traffic light signaling. The adaptation and utilization to aid commercial trucks is however a new concept, that shows substantial potential with regards to reducing emissions and fuel consumptions. The next step in a proposed Norwegian development is to allow commercial trucks in priority lanes in urban areas instead of lining them up in queues. Signal priority and priority lanes combined are to be investigatedin the PRINT project. An extension with a total concept embracing both priority as well as management may be the supreme solution to utilize green ITS and reducing emissions and fuel consumptions. This paper describes thePRINT concept based on priority hierarchy, route guidance, demonstrator, and simulation. Also a study of willingness to pay for priority is included. The purpose of the project is to reveal possible positive and negative effects for travel time, fuel consumption as well as emissions. The project started in 2008 and it will continue to December 2010.
Abstract