Implementing traffic monitoring and supervision

Summary

The introduction of the MatriX real-time multimodal transport model provided a platform for a new traffic management system in Stockholm.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Improving traffic management is an important means of increasing traffic flow and making more efficient use of road space, leading to positive environmental impacts. The objectives of the real-time multimodal transport model were therefore to optimise and balance traffic flows on main roads; reduce the impacts of traffic accidents; encourage a modal shift from private cars to public transport; cut energy consumption and emissions; and contribute to smoother journeys.

The idea behind the MatriX system was to integrate several data sources into a multimodal transport model to be integrated into management systems outside the TRENDSETTER project. The model’s real-time capabilities would assist operators, planners and other professionals in making decisions, for example in the event of disruptions and delays. Passengers would receive information from the Traffic Management Centre through variable message signs or other media such as radio or websites.

The MatriX system is also connected to automatic or operator-controlled applications, for example lane closure, speed advice and traffic signals.

Progress

Activities included:

• MatriX installation — initially, MatriX provided a generic platform for generating traffic information, and later was also capable of controlling traffic by means of traffic signals (SPOT), variable message signs etc.
• MatriX calibration/validation — links had to be calibrated to correspond to reality in terms of number of lanes, lane capacity (flow and speed), speed flow relation and origin-destination matrices etc.
• Extended data input — one of the costliest aspects of the project was to obtain sufficient traffic data from different sources, including sensors mounted in the road surface (loops) and sensors mounted above the lanes (microwave). Data were also obtained from vehicles equipped with global positioning systems. Agreements were made with fleet management companies/commercial fleets (taxis, goods distribution companies) to obtain GPS reports from their vehicles when using the road network.
• Delivery of data to the website and Traffic Monitoring Centre — the project made it possible to deliver various kinds of traffic data, both real-time traffic flows, speeds and travel times, and equivalent data normalised according to different days and different times of day, all collected in databases.
• Evaluation of data — independent evaluation was carried out covering quantitative and qualitative methods, although this took place outside the TRENDSETTER project period.

Outcomes

The objectives were partly fulfilled, but the measure was delayed due to financial cutbacks and to the opening of a major tunnel system in southern Stockholm that affected traffic flow. Due to the construction work, additional efforts were required to adapt the model.

The long-term effects were estimated to be more significant than the short-term results as it takes time for road users to become familiar with the system.