Current trends in intelligent transport systems (ITS) are discussed in relation to road safety in the UK. Active safety systems in the interurban road environment include variable speed limit systems, motorway incident control systems (including variable message warning signs), bend warning lights, fog warning systems and CCTV traffic surveillance. In urban areas traffic signals and co-ordinated traffic signal control are important. The potential of in-vehicle driver assistance systems including speed control and route guidance is described. Enforcement systems are considered. Passive ITS safety systems include the indirect benefits of encouraging modal shift to public transport, route guidance, incident detection, passenger, pedestrian and cyclist information, and pedestrian detection systems.
Abstract