In order to manage motorway traffic in the Paris area in as comprehensive and consistent a manner as possible, the French government is setting up a large-scale dynamic operation system. Half of the planned 300 variable message signs and expert systems making it possible to implement traffic control strategies will be operational by 1992 on half of the 500 km of motorway around the capital city. Combined with the capacity preservation actions being undertaken, these measures should enable the road user to know - either during or before his trip - the information he needs to determine at the local level his optimum route among several motorway options. After discussing the stakes and problems of such a project, the author describes how its success will become concrete through public acceptance of this service rendered to users by a truly intelligent motorway system. Japanese Ministry of Construction and OECD/Road Transport Research Programme held the seminar on "future road transport systems and infrastructures in urban areas" in Chiba, Japan on 4th - 6th June 1991 sponsored by the Japanese organizing committee.
Abstract