ERTICO

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the history of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research and development (R&D) and implementation in Japan, as well as Japan's international leading role in ITS technological accomplishment in the history. Then in response to the international movement to establish large ITS R&D and implementation promotion organizations or projects--such as ITS America, DRIVE, PROMETHEUS, and ERTICO, which enable the promotion of more comprehensive, interdisciplinary ITS R&D and implementation with large amount of public research funds--the Vehicle, Road and Traffic Intelligence Society (VERTIS) was established in January 1994 to promote ITS R&D and implementation plan and the ITS World Congress under the support of the related five ministries. As the latest ITS activities in Japan, the "VERTIS Grand Design," which VERTIS developed last year, and the current VERTIS development of "ITS Architecture" and "Strategic Plan" are discussed. These draft interim reports are now under intensive review and discussion in coordination with the government decision of the "Promotion Policy of ITS R&D and Implementation." For concluding remarks, the future scope and suggested action items for Japan's ITS activities--such as organization issues, public research funds, international standardization, and international cooperation--are summarized.

Abstract: Many City Authorities in Europe are now seeking to tackle increasing congestion and pollution through demand management and improved public transport. An important contribution to this strategy is the provision of public transport priority, both through physical segregation and other priority techniques. This paper concentrates on the provision of public transport priority in advanced Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems in Europe. In particular, the paper will report on the results of a cross-project collaborative study into public transport priority, commissioned by ERTICO, to draw together results from the DRIVE II projects in this increasingly important telematics application area. The paper provides summary descriptions of the advanced UTC systems concerned, their facilities for public transport priority and the evaluations undertaken in DRIVE II. The systems include SCOOT, UTOPIA, PRODYN and BALANCE. Following a review of system measures of performance and impacts, results of some twenty simulation and/or field trial evaluations are summarized. These were included in five DRIVE II projects and covered eight European cities. Results include operational, environmental and economic effects, as well as impacts on modal change, where recorded. The paper also references the analyses undertaken in the collaborative study to fully evaluate the contexts in which the results were obtained. Context descriptions, including network, traffic, public transport and control strategy characteristics formed an essential basis for the interpretation of results and for the determination of key factors affecting public transport priority performance. The paper concludes with a summary of recommendations from the study, particularly concerning greater integration of public transport and UTC systems, which can provide substantial benefits.

Abstract: Congestion charges are to be introduced in central London, UK in February 2003. The Commission for Integrated Transport has suggested that road charging should be introduced nationally using satellite and 'black box' technology to levy charges. The London system will use cameras to read number plates, which will be checked against a database. Drivers will buy credit for their cars from shops. The technical challenges posed by the system proposed by the Commission for Integrated Transport are considered. Such a system would involve three firms: a telecoms firm, a company to provide the information and a company to handle the interface between the two. There is a limited amount of profit for each company. Ertico was set up in 1991 by the European Commission to support the introduction of intelligent transport systems and to improve communications between the public and private sectors. Ertico is neutral on the subject of road charging. The UK equivalent of Ertico, the Intelligent Transport Society, sees the main challenge as public acceptance.

Abstract: In recent years a number of national authorities have carried out studies in the area of intelligent speed management which can contribute to improve safety and mobility on road infrastructures. Until now these initiatives have been characterised by a local focus, with no agreement or consistency at European level. The SpeedAlert Initiative launched by ERTICO aims to bring the key actors together to define a common European strategy based on a broad consensus.