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The following original articles provide educational and thought leadership pieces relating to Intelligent Transport Systems. The collection will continue to grow, so make sure to check back for new items!
Despite sounding like a futuristic mode of transport, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are actually technologies and systems associated with the management, operation and use of a broad range of transport modes and their inter-relationship with other infrastructure.
The conversation surrounding Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) has fundamentally shifted.
The evolution of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) hinges critically on robust and reliable communication technologies.
Despite the clear public benefits of ITS, a significant minority of people view these systems with suspicion, hostility and in some cases, outright vandalism.
The UK's Department for Transport has laid down the gauntlet with its new Transport AI Action Plan. This isn't just another policy paper; it's a comprehensive roadmap designed to embed Artificial Intelligence into the very fabric of the nation's transport system.
What are the issues that challenge the effective use and deployment of ITS across the world.
In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the integration of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) into our daily lives holds immense promise.
The arteries of modern society, our motorways and freeways, demand meticulous and proactive management to ensure the lifeblood of commerce and personal mobility flows unimpeded.
The foundation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) analysis rests heavily upon statistical measures, providing a framework for understanding and optimising traffic flow.
The observation of a signalised pedestrian crossing in Mutrah, Oman, devoid of a push button, presents a fascinating case study in urban traffic management.
The devil lies in the details and the achievement of consistency. It's a truth often overlooked in the rush to implement cutting-edge technologies and address pressing transportation challenges.
Implementing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) projects in less developed countries provides an illuminating lens through which to examine the fundamentals of successful technological deployment. These environments, often characterised by resource constraints and unique socio-cultural landscapes, expose the inherent vulnerabilities and critical dependencies that can undermine even the most well-intentioned projects.
Undertaking designs for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can be a delicate tightrope walk, requiring a nuanced understanding of the interplay between working in compliance of standards and the fluid demands of user-centricity.
So, what is a Smart City? A Smart City is an urban environment where infrastructure and services are interlinked using technology to improve the quality of life by enhancing their operation. For stakeholders, this interconnectivity provides a pathway to improve their services, whilst also accruing cost benefits by using shared infrastructure and data streams.
Over the past decade, technology manufacturers have made great strides in reducing the energy consumption of ITS equipment, the switch to modern electronics and LEDs has had a transformative impact on electrical consumption of installations, with many types achieving 80% savings when compared to traditional equipment.
The volume of information generated by Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and vehicles is likely to increase exponentially, especially following the introduction of Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV), mainly caused by the enormous amounts of data which these are likely to transact on a daily basis. So, how will the digital footprint that follows users across transport modes be protected to respect their privacy and ensure that they are not disadvantaged due to prejudice or commercial interest?
Technologies have been used for many years to passively monitor activity on the highway, however over the years additional features have been added to assist in actively managing traffic, these range from informing users about current conditions, so that they can make their own decisions, such as automatically warning drivers of incidents using roadside variable message signs, through to compelling users to modify their driving, such as by implementing variable speed limits or by using enforcement cameras etc.
This article examins the issues posed by the climate emergency for the deployment and operation of ITS equipment, with particular focus on the following areas: Appropriateness of traditional ITS platforms and equipment in a changing technology climate; Carbon Reduction in the construction and operation of equipment; Resilience to extreme natural events.
Within the ITS sector, we have seen increasing use of AI in equipment and systems used for traffic management. However, at this point, their application is rather sporadic and lacks a cohesive approach to their use to achieve a strategic implementation.
There has been for some years, a realisation that the way in which the finite capacity is apportioned in our busy urban streets will need to be reviewed to cope with the ever-increasing demands put on them. As a result, we have seen our streetscape gradually evolving to benefit the increasing number of members of the public who are using active transport modes, such as walking and cycling.