This paper describes the final results of the EU project MUSIC (Management of traffic USIng Control and other measures). Three demonstration sites were used in Porto (Portugal), Thessaloniki (Greece) and York (UK). Signal timing plans were designed using simulation modelling to meet a variety of transport planning goals. These transport goals were set by the city authorities and were accompanied by precise measurable objectives. In York, plans were designed along one route to help public transport and accompany the installation of a bus lane on a major radial route. In Thessaloniki plans were designed city-wide to reduce congestion especially for public transport. In Porto timing plans were designed to reduce congestion for public transport and to minimise conflicts between cars and pedestrians. After design, the signal timing plans were installed on street and measured before and after to assess the effects of the signal timing changes and to check that the objectives were met. The York timing plans reduced travel time for public transport without significant impact on cars and an increase in public transport ridership was measured. The bus lane alone, without updated signal timings, was shown to have no significant effect on bus travel time. In Porto the timing plans met with mixed success and while some targets were met others were not. In Thessaloniki the timing plans met the majority of the targets and congestion was felt to be reduced city-wide as a result. The MUSIC method is transferable to any city with a network model and has potentially large benefits to the travelling public.
Abstract