Case Study

Reading UTMC Demonstrator

Reading UTMCTools Involved

The Reading UTMC Demonstrator provides an Integrated traffic and travel information system that includes a:

  • Common Database (complete with webservers)

The system integrates existing and new Traffic Management and Information systems including:

  • Access Control;
  • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control;
  • Data Collection and Monitoring via CCTV, and via integration with other systems including:
    • Highways Agency QMISS (Motorway data);
    • Coach real time information
    • Train real time information
  • Parking Management;
  • Passenger Information Systems;
  • Variable Message Signs.

Outputs can be viewed at www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk.

Site Description

Reading Borough Council designed the system to serve travellers within the greater Reading urban area. This area is defined within the Reading Urban Area Package of Reading’s Local Transport Plan. A particular focus of the project is the A33 corridor running from the Town Centre to the M4 Junction 11 that lies to the South West of the town. Here the Reading International Business Park, Madejski stadium complex and GreenPark are located. These business parks house the offices of several international companies who require good links to Heathrow Airport.

Site Problems

As in many other urban areas within the South East of England, Reading suffers from congestion and pollution caused by private cars even though there is good provision of public transport.

Scheme Description

The scheme extracts information from two existing public transport databases (rail and buses) and integrates this with information from existing traffic management systems. The information provides a comprehensive picture of the state of road and public transport networks, which the system offers to the public through several different media, including:

  • Roadside electronic signs;
  • Internet;
  • Company intranets;
  • Email alerts; and,
  • Tailored text messages through mobile phones.

The information allows the public to make better journey decisions either before they start or during their journeys. For instance, drivers already travelling to the town centre could alter their route or change the car park they use based on information they see on roadside electronic signs.

An important feature of the scheme is the use of Urban Traffic Management and Control Specifications. These specifications define how components exchange data and how that data is defined. As the specification is based on Internet data transmission protocols, the system designers are able to use existing commercial hardware and employ well understood techniques. This reduces the time required to develop systems and resuls in reduced system costs.

Scheme Objectives

Reading BC wants to encourage greater use of public transport in order to ease congestion and reduce pollution.

Improvements

The system has provided greater availability of traffic and travel information through the use of real time information systems. This information provides the public with more information to help them choose the most efficient mode and time for them to make their journeys.

Integrated Systems

The project’s key objective is to integrate information from existing systems. This integration means that all information is available from a single site (saving time). It also means that the public is able to assess the information more easily.

Costs

The cost of the scheme was approximately £3.2m. However, a significant proportion of these costs can be regarded as development costs that would not be incurred if a similar system were implemented today.

Benefits

Benefits are shown in the table below.

Actual benefits reported
Impact Assessment Environment Since 2001 journeys to the town centre by car have reduced by 7% and bus passenger trips have increased by 11% (not all attributable to UTMC but the information has played a part)
Accessibility No relevant results reported
Safety Early warning of events and incidents through VMS which allows drivers to adopt their behaviour to suit conditions
Efficiency Car park VMS direct drivers to vacant spaces reducing queuing and makes better use of less well used car parks.
A survey of web site users shows that 73% have changed journey plans because of information on the web site. Publication of CCTV images has reduced the number of calls from radio stations to the UTC centre, freeing operator time for other tasks
Integration The integration makes assimilation of information easier.
Technical Performance Following early teething problems, the systems are now stable and performing to specification. As this was a research project, these early problems were anticipated.
User Acceptance

The use of the web site increases during period of exceptional traffic flow or during poor weather conditions, which indicates that people are aware of the information and find it helpful.
Data indicates that drivers respond to information provided on VMS particularly for car parks

No attempt has been made to validate the results reported. Users of the guidance are encouraged to assess the robustness of the results presented and the likely transferability of the case study to their own local environment.

More Information

Readers can find more information about the project at: