The paper outlines the advances made in the application of Advanced Transport Telematics (ATT) and the more effective management of the transport system through the Hampshire County Council led ROMANSE project. This has been achieved with implementation of ATT and integration of the city SCOOT Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system providing a comprehensive, real-time, multi-modal Traffic and Travel Information Centre (TTIC) to provide timely and accurate travel information. The UTC system incorporates a corridor bus priority scheme and has been upgraded to allow for gating of traffic into the city, with restraint activated upon achievement of specified saturation thresholds. Automatic Vehicle Location Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems are the basis of a real time Bus Passenger Information System, STOPWATCH. A new facility, PROMPT, has been developed to give buses priority using AVL. TRIPlanner public access terminals have been developed providing multimodal travel information. Drivers have car park and traffic condition information supplied through Variable Message Signs at strategic city centre locations. Information Display Units are located around the city centre displaying information on the transport network status. ROMANSE provides pre-trip information to affect travel behaviour. Information is collected and disseminated through the TTIC by local radio, BBC CEEFAX and VIDEOWAY, the local cable information service. Plans are proceeding to establish a frequently updated telephone travel line and a World Wide Web travel information homepage. ROMANSE is an example of the successful implementation of ATT. Following initial successes pilot systems are being expanded to demonstration projects.
Abstract