ITS Finland is a Finnish traffic telematics network open to everyone. It promotes the development and use of traffic and logistics telematics products and tries to raise public awareness of the field.
Intelligent Transport Systems and Services (ITS) support the monitoring, control and directing of traffic and provide information for drivers and pedestrians. The systems offer tools and services for traffic authorities, drivers and passengers. Intelligent traffic is based on information and communication technology that can collect, handle and develop traffic information into services. Also, the distribution of information and the wider use of services is a goal for intelligent traffic. The traffic-related applications of information and communication technology are also called traffic telematics.
A journey: before, during and after
Intelligent traffic can help you plan a journey and it can be of service during and after your journey. The planning phase is assisted by route planners, time-table services of different means of transportation and seat reservations. During your journey you can make use of the control and direction systems that lie behind the scenes of traffic. Also screens, announcements and messages received into your mobile phone or computer are helpful. After your journey you can check your departure and arrival times, route and the costs involved.
On land, sea and air
Intelligent traffic systems are being developed for road traffic as well as for railroads, navigation and aerial routes. Services are already available for drivers, public transportation and goods traffic.
Intelligent traffic is most often the control of traffic and its conditions and the collection of information with various probe and camera systems. These systems can be situated on route banks or in vehicles. Intelligent traffic is also directing traffic with lights and other variable signals based on the control information gathered. Directions and steering are needed especially in the “tight spots” of the traffic network such as crossroads, bridges, tunnels, winding routes as well as during maintenance and heavy traffic. Different channels are used to inform of changing circumstances in traffic and especially of disturbances. Behind the scenes of traffic you can find control centres that work day and night. They keep up and make use of databases.
Traffic control consists of directing but also of automatic devices on banks of routes and cameras, radars etc. in control rooms of different authorities. Traffic is co-operation, and in order to achieve a smooth flow of traffic it’s important to obey rules.
Both the public and private sectors are in charge of the development of intelligent traffic systems and services. These systems can be linked with a certain means of transportation or they can be of service to several ones simultaneously.
Intelligent vehicles
Modern vehicles are equipped with several processors and probes that have been attached to each other with a connecting information transport channel. To ensure safety, there can also be several independent systems in one means of transportation. Support systems such as standard speed, navigation and brake control, collision warning, enhanced vision, burglar control etc. assist the driver. In addition, vehicles of public transportation are equipped with payment devices and information screens. Location and signalling instruments can be used in the control of an entire fleet of several vehicles. To open gates and direct traffic lights, vehicles can be equipped with detectors that can be recognised from a distance. The processor of a vehicle is a major energy consumer.
Intelligent public transportation
On top of route and time-table information passengers of public transportation are being offered more and more real-time location and arrival information (arrival to the stop or to the final destination). The information can be received on a screen or in the passenger’s own mobile device. Buses, trams, trains or the metro are not treated separately. Instead, route planners give advice how to find the smoothest combination of several means of transport. Also, announcements and other information about traffic disturbances are provided. If a vehicle is running late, a directing system will give it priority in crossroads with the help of traffic lights. It’s possible to pay the fare with an intelligent card or a travel media.
Taxis nowadays are equipped with navigators and location devices. The call centre is aware of the location of each individual taxi and can forward an order to the nearest one available. The driver knows his/her way even to difficult addresses, and the fare can be paid with several different payment card types. In case of emergency, a safety camera can transmit real-time images to the call centre.
Intelligent goods traffic
The reliability of goods transportation is important to commercial and industrial life. The goal is to minimise the amount of capital bound to storage. With intelligent logistics systems, the most efficient means of transport can be chosen for each goods batch and all kinds of means of transport can be used. Product and transportation cases and stands are recognised with bar codes and detectors, and the delivery notes concerning contents can be sent electronically to and from customer, deliverer and carrier. The movements of each goods batch can be monitored with arrival and departure receipts. Due to monitoring of hauling equipment any traffic disturbances affecting transportation plans can be automatically sent to the receiver. A digital running recorder keeps track of the driver’s work and use of lorry to enhance traffic safety.
Prior notices and electronic customs in harbours make the import and export of goods efficient. Harbours, goods terminals and frontier crossing points can be equipped with vehicle detectors that steer traffic. In this way queuing and unnecessary waiting can be avoided. When it comes to the transportation of dangerous substances, it’s important to know exactly what the cargo consists of. The information must be forwarded to authorities in case of emergency.
Technologies of Intelligent traffic
Intelligent traffic makes use of information and communication technology such as probes, mobile devices, wireless connections and location systems.
Vehicle localisation is based on satellites, in practise the GPS-system (Global Positioning System). A GPS-device can receive signals from several localisation satellites at the same time. It uses the information to calculate its location. So far the reception of satellite signals has been challenging in narrow streets and between high buildings. This is why the location information can momentarily be calculated with acceleration probes and map applications. The European Galileo-system will add a considerable amount of satellites to the network so the situation is changing for the better. New receivers will become more accurate.
Vehicle recognition is possible by reading traditional registration plates with character recognition technology. Recognition can also be based on RFID, radio frequency identification. Road toll systems use detectors with a range of about one hundred metres (dsrc, dedicated short range communication). An equivalent system is being used in passage control in terminal areas and parking halls.
Wireless information transfer networks can serve traffic as well. Traffic information is sent as coded messages (rds/tmc, radio data system / traffic message channel) via radio broadcasts. Already for a long time, text messages have been used for communication between different systems. The gprs, general packet radio service, is useful in sending location and other information to background services. The service works also the other way around, information can be received in the mobile device. Wireless local area network communication is being developed for thetransfer of information between vehicles and between route devices and vehicles. Railways, water and air routes have their own information transfer systems as well as especially reserved frequencies.
Updated 8.1.2007/KT
