This article describes how traffic control in the Netherlands can guarantee traffic safety, accessibility, and the existing road infrastructure, especially the main road network. This goal is very important, because traffic grows at a higher rate than transport infrastructure expands. The potential effects of a set of coherent measures are described aimed at maximizing traffic flow and traffic safety, given the existing infrastructure. Measures which already appeared to be effective in the Netherlands are, for instance: (1) traffic signalization; (2) ramp metering; and (3) route information systems. The traffic control policy of the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Works in the nineties will be directed at: a) applying these measures to those road sections which are most likely to become congested; and b) starting a number of pilot projects. It is emphasized that a complete solution to the problem of congestion can only be achieved by decreasing car use in combination with solving bottlenecks occurring on the road infrastructure.
Abstract