Three examples of sophisticated traffic management systems on British motorways are described. The National Driver Information and Control System (NADICS) is now almost fully operational on 452km of motorways and trunk roads in central Scotland, including the corridor between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Traffic control is implemented at three different levels in Scotland. At the strategic level, variable message signs at key positions respond to any incidents affecting drivers' route choice. At the tactical level, there is local traffic management. The local level co-ordinates the local response in the immediate neighbourhood of an incident. NADICS includes the Forth Estuary Driver Information and Control System (FEDICS). In England, the National Motorway Communication System (NMCS2) began its fourth group of systems installations in 1997, with 12 more Control Office Base Systems (COBS). A COBS is the hub of a continually operational computer network and data system, with links to motorway signals and other traffic control devices. In Northern Ireland, the Belfast Road Network Management System has been installed to provide up-to-date traffic control for the new Lagan Bridge and the motorways throughout Belfast. Its innovative features include driver information about urban traffic and automatic incident detection.
Abstract