One way in which the UK Highways Agency (HA) is planning to make the best use of existing roads is to provide more key junctions of the English strategic road network with variable message signs (VMS). The Kent Corridor and the Midlands Driver Information System are two examples of strategic networks equipped with VMS-based driver information systems. The new generation of motorway signals, incorporating an EMS (enhanced message sign), can be used to provide strategic information in support of tactical control. This paper reports on experience gained in operating the MOLA (MCONTRM On-Line Assistance) system in Kent and in the Midlands, gives examples of its use, and indicates the next steps in its development. MOLA was developed to assist traffic controllers in the decision process that they must follow to choose a suitable traffic plan following an incident. In late 1996, the first MOLA system was installed in the Maidstone Police Operations Centre in Kent for a pilot evaluation period of 15 months. During the trial, the system has been monitored, and, through regular feedback from police operators, enhanced to improve its usability. The paper describes the MOLA system, and discusses its prediction of incident durations, the effect of incident conditions, and feedback from the current trial.
Samenvatting