The term "islands of automation" applies to the present generation motorway management systems. From a user's point of view the need for system integration in the short term is identified. It is emphasized that standardized communications and information exchange between systems is a key factor for both the integration of present systems and the migration to a new generation system that will comply with an ITS architecture. Industrial automation went through a similar path ten years ago. It is indicated what lessons can be learnt from that field concerning the development and deployment of communication standards. Finally the OM/RR protocol is described. This protocol is based on current standards but is less complex and easy to adopt without doing concessions to flexibility. It will be used for the integration of Dutch motorway management systems in the first place.
Abstract