Worldwide, traffic management technologies have been developed to address problems like travel delays, parking issues, and safety concerns. Solutions involve demand management through policies like carpooling as well as supply improvements like expanded public transit. Signaling systems now dynamically adjust based on real-time traffic data. Incident detection and driver information systems also help reduce congestion. London implemented a congestion charging zone using technology to monitor vehicles and charge fees, resulting in a 30% drop in traffic and faster, more reliable journeys.

1. TRAFFIC AS WORLD PHENOMENON
World Traffic management technology
Traffic management technologies have been developed primarily in Europe, America and
Japan. Technologies have been developed in view to counter traffic related problems which are
broadly Travel delays, parking problems and safety problems. The causes of these problems
have been tackled through technology intervention of various levels.
The causes of delays are demand and supply gap, inefficient signaling systems, Incidents on the
roads, scarcity of infrastructure, inefficient passenger information systems and delays due to
tolls. The technology solutions that have been developed around the world include the
following:
For proper travel demand management, the techniques being used are Car pooling,
Park & Ride systems, odd even auto restrictions, staggering of office hours and
congestion pricing. Case studies from Japan and Singapore show that these techniques
if properly implemented can improve traffic scenario. On the supply management side
the techniques involve either provision of more road infrastructure or introduction of
better mass transport systems. Efficient bus systems with priority lanes / signals and
innovative mass transit systems like Rail rapid transit (RRT), Shuttle loop transit (SLT),
Group rapid transit (GRT), personal rapid transit (PRT) and LRT (light rail transit)
have been developed and used all over the world. Every city has adopted any one of
these systems according to the needs. Other associated technologies like Intelligent
Community Vehicle System, automatic ticketing systems add to the streamlining of
mass transit systems.
A lot of technologies have been developed in the field of signaling systems. The trend
of traffic signals has evolved from fixed time programmed signals towards detector
based real time traffic signals. Technology inputs have improved both on hardware and
software sides of signaling systems. In real time systems, detectors are installed on every
intersection that counts the number of vehicles that queue at any intersection arm. The
inputs from the detector are processed by a controller software and signals are
synchronized in such a way that heavy traffic paths are given longer clearways. A lot of

2. technological improvements have been reported in hardware such as detector types,
controllers, connectors, signals. Similarly there are a number of software developed like
SCOOT, SCAT, MOVA. Associated software like ASTRID, INGRID are used for
real time traffic data analysis and incident detection.
Another set of technological development is in the form of incident detection systems
which contribute substantially to traffic systems. Automatic incident and congestion
detection systems have been developed which use on road sensors to send information
to control room for immediate recovery. Further congestion is avoided through radio
information broadcasts, surveillance television broadcasts, and airborne video.
Simulation models have been developed to assist in incident recovery and traffic
diversion strategies.
Passenger / driver information systems have been developed in the form of
Comprehensive Automobile Traffic Control systems; Internet based route systems,
Electronic route guidance system, telephone information service, Driver Information
and early warning systems. All these systems encompass technologies to assist the driver
to decide the best transit route. Variable message signs have been designed to inform
the driver of the real time parking spaces available, lane traffic conditions, incidents on
the lane, weather conditions. Other systems involve better information systems at bus
stands that inform the commuter about the bus routes, time of the next bus arrival, fare
structure etc. Other associated technologies include Automatic vehicle locating systems
which use the conventional Global positioning systems.
Next set of traffic problems are related to parking problems. This is caused either by lack of
parking space or inefficient parking systems. Technologies have been developed in the field of
multi level parking spaces that have multi directional entry points. Technology advancements
have taken place in the field of parking systems which include multi-locational variable message
signs giving the real time parking status of all the adjoining parking spaces. Similarly automatic
parking ticketing systems have been practiced where prepaid parking cards can be used in
machines. Advancements in the form of Parking advisory systems are also being developed.
Road safety problems are caused due to a number of factors like mixed traffic conditions, rule
violations, lack of enforcement, improper warning systems, and lack of driver training.
Technology intervention has been in the form of changeable message signs in controlling

3. vehicle speeds in work zones, automatic truck rollover warning system, collision avoidance
systems, thermal imaging cameras and simulator based driver training technologies. Violation
detection equipment like lane cameras, speed detectors, signal jumping detection cameras have
been developed and installed. These cameras are connected to well equipped interceptors that
have computerized fine/ ticketing systems.
Emerging technology trend is towards Expert area traffic control systems, automated highway
systems and Internet commerce. Expert area traffic control systems are real time system where
in the controller can take decisions in abnormal traffic situation much as a human would do.
Trials are in the process for development of these systems. Automated highway systems include
specialized vehicles that can be operated on a hands off mode with built in collision avoidance
systems and lane / speed systems. Commerce through internet would indirectly reduce the
travel demand on roads.
London study
London is a great world city but its transport system by the twenty-first century had obviously
lagged behind the needs of its economy and its citizens. The population of London has grown
slowly over the last 10 years having exceeded 7 million in 1995 for the first time since the
1970s.
The number of people employed in London has also increased – to over 3,840,000. In 1997,
1.07 million people were estimated to enter central London on an average weekday between
07:00 and 10:00, again part of an upward trend. Around 82 percent used public transport, this
proportion remaining almost constant over the past decade.
Congestion charging is a controversial scheme which pioneers new transport management tools
and would not be possible without state-of-the-art technology. Look at the following London
traffic facts and figures to get a better idea of why the technology was introduced.
Prior to congestion charging 40,000 vehicles an hour drove every morning into central London,
equivalent to 25 busy motorway lanes.
 iw all this traffic, drivers in central London spend 50 percent of their time in queues.
th

4.  Traffic
speeds in central London dipped below 10 mph in the period 1998–2000 for the first
time since records began. There are now no longer any 'peaks'.
 Drivers
spend as much as half their time in jams, costing the capital's economy £2 to £4
million a week.
 136,000
residents live within the charging zone, about half in car-owning households.
 Each
weekday, 6,000 buses accommodate 4.5 million passenger journeys on 600 routes
around London; bus passenger travel increased by 6 per cent in 2000/01 to 4.7 billion
passenger kilometers.
 If congestion charge works it is estimated there will be a 10 to 15 percent cut in traffic,
the
enough to cut journey times by 20 to 30 percent.
Singapore is a success story on a larger scale, using similar state-of-the-art technology as do
some cities in Sweden and the Netherlands. Cities such as Manchester, Leeds, York, Bath and
Hong Kong will assess the London's success before they decide whether to follow its lead.
The congestion charging scheme directly tackles four key transport priorities for London
1. Reducing congestion
2. Improving bus services
3. Improving journey time reliability for car users
4. Making the distribution of goods and services more reliable, sustainable and efficient.
The scheme has also raised significant funds to improve London's transport system. Six months
after the system was introduced, in autumn 2003, a report on its success was commissioned by
Transport for London (TfL).
According to the report the following successes have been achieved
congestion in the zone has dropped by around 30 percent – at the high end of TfL's
expectations
congestion is now lower than at any stage since the mid-1980s
the number of motor vehicles entering the zone during charging hours has dropped by
16per cent

5. 50,000 fewer cars per day are being driven into the charging zone with the majority of
their drivers switching to public transport or other modes of transport such as bicycles,
scooters and car sharing; people are also diverting around the zone, resulting in 4,000
fewer people coming to the charging zone
no significant traffic displacement around the zone has been observed
car journeys to and from the charging zone are quicker and more reliable – car journey
times have decreased by an average of 14 percent and reliability has improved by an
average of 30 percent
public transport is coping well with the increased number of ex-car users and bus
services are benefiting from the reduced congestion
there is a suggested 20 per cent reduction in the number of accidents within the zone
the various payment systems are working satisfactorily, and although net revenue from
the scheme are less than anticipated, over £68 million will be raised in 2003/04 and £80
to £100 million in future years for reinvestment in further transport improvements