Contact: Tony Brown, ext 7500

1. Summary

1.1 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) provide the means of making better use of transport networks and collating and disseminating information using appropriate technologies so that the public can make informed decisions about how they travel. A programme of implementation was devised to meet the objectives of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST) and was reported to this Panel on 14 November 2001.

2. Current and Proposed Systems

Basingstoke Urban Traffic Control

2.1 Currently the M3 junction 6 and the Black Dam and Eastrop roundabout signal installations are connected to the Hampshire SCOOT Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system.

2.2 Signal controlled roundabouts are particularly suited to central control because of the need to coordinate their operation to prevent them becoming blocked. Elsewhere in Basingstoke however, as the number of traffic signals increases and the spacing between them decreases, UTC may be appropriate to coordinate progression through a wider area. In addition, roundabouts may be linked to provide greater progression. A design for the Victory roundabout is being progressed for traffic signal control and, if this is implemented, would be linked to the Eastrop roundabout using the UTC system.

2.3 In the current BEST programme, traffic signals are planned for installation at the A33 Reading Road roundabout, A33/Popley Way, A33 Reading Road/Crockford Lane and Chineham District Centre junctions, although introduction is affected by the capital programme review reported elsewhere on the agenda. When these junctions are completed they will be connected to the UTC system. As demand increases, further roundabouts are likely to be signal controlled and consequently connected to the UTC system. The A340 Aldermaston Road roundabout close to Park Prewitt is under investigation and if this were to be signal controlled, it would be connected to the UTC system, as would the adjacent Park Prewitt junction at The Lodge.

2.4 Other environmental and transport studies, investigating options for improving public transport, also envisage traffic control as an integral part of the strategy which would most likely involve connection to the UTC system. The presence of UTC in Basingstoke also offers the opportunity for network monitoring through loops and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras located on routes in and around Basingstoke.

Car Park Information

2.5 In Basingstoke there are currently nine car parks fitted with monitoring equipment connected to the UTC system at the following locations:

(i) Southern Road;

(ii) Castons Yard;

(iii) Central;

(iv) Basing View;

(v) railway station (two number);

(vi) Festival Place subject to completion of British Telecom data communications;

(vii) The Anvil; and

(viii) Vyne Meadow.

Information on the availability of car parking spaces is displayed on the ROMANSE web site (http://www.romanse.org.uk) and on seven existing car park VMS displays at:

(i) Churchill Way East;

(ii) Churchill Way West;

(iii) Alencon Link approach to Victory roundabout;

(iv) Churchill Way approach to Victory roundabout;

(v) Timberlake Road approach to Victory roundabout subject to resolution of electricity supply by Southern Electric Contracting;

(vi) Churchill Way approach to Eastrop roundabout; and

(vii) Timberlake Road adjacent to the access to the Festival Place south ramp.

Site acceptance tests and final handover are subject to satisfactory completion of the above and a period of stable operation of the system.

Traffic Information VMS

2.6 There are two information VMSs located on Churchill Way East and West. As the level of knowledge of network conditions increases, the opportunity for VMSs also increases. Possible locations have been identified and prioritised for additional VMSs on Ringway and arterial routes, but these would be subject to funding becoming available.

Closed Circuit Television

2.7 There is currently one dial-up CCTV camera in Basingstoke for traffic monitoring purposes, located at Eastrop roundabout. During 2002/03 it is proposed that further dial-up cameras be installed at the following locations:

(i) M3 Junction 6 (four dial-up cameras);

(ii) Black Dam roundabout (one dial-up camera);

(iii) A33/A339 Reading Road roundabout (one dial-up camera); and

(iv) A33 Reading Road, Popley Way (one dial-up camera).

2.8 As part of the ITS deployment strategy a total of 15 locations for CCTV cameras on the ring road and arterial routes have been identified but progress on installing these is subject to funding in future years.

Bus Departure Information Systems

2.9 A Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) for Basingstoke Bus Station, funded from the Festival Place redevelopment, will be implemented between March and June 2003, and one main summary departure board with graphic capability will be located within the bus station ticket office. There will also be two summary departure boards, one adjacent to the shopping centre entrance and the other adjacent to the ticket office. A further 16 single departure boards with (key fob) audio facilities for visually impaired passengers have been identified and can be implemented at each departure bay subject to funding. It is also envisaged that a further two pole-mounted display monitors be installed at Alencon Link during 2003/04.

Real-Time Bus Passenger Information

2.10 During 2003 a county-wide contract for the provision of real-time passenger information will be awarded. As part of this contract it is proposed to install a real-time information (RTI) system in Basingstoke, with 24 bus stop displays and 64 equipped buses funded from the County Council's capital programme and external funding, linking with Quality Partnership initiatives for Line 1. This will also require the central county-wide RTI facility to be introduced during 2003, funded from the central system's ITS allocation within the County Council's capital programme.

2.11 Further stages of the RTI development for services (Stage II routes 2/3/8/5 and Stage II routes 4/6/7/9) have been identified and could be implemented if funding becomes available.

Information Dissemination

2.12 To support existing methods of dissemination, such as local radio and teletext services, new forms of accessing information will be explored. The development of web-based information will be continued and it is intended to provide real-time information on traffic, car parking availability and bus services through the internet. Over time, further information could be added, such as air quality. Other applications will be investigated, for example mobile telephone information. It is possible that local businesses will be involved with such technologies.

3. The Role of ITS

3.1 ITS has the potential to play an important role in BEST. The applications outlined above will help the public to make informed decisions about how and when they travel which will encourage more efficient use of transport networks and support public transport use.

3.2 The systems, once in place, can provide a comprehensive picture of transport activities and are closely inter-related. For example, CCTV can be used with VMS systems and other data, such as real-time air quality information, can also be linked. The real-time bus information system can be used as a means of controlling bus movements and improving reliability, linked with information sent to users via the internet or mobile telephone. Bus priorities at traffic signals can be linked to the vehicle positioning system.

4. Conclusion

4.1 A significant amount of work has already been undertaken on deploying ITS in Basingstoke, with further implementation of these facilities during 2002/03. This provides a good platform for the further development of ITS and subsequent traffic and travel information services in the area. A large number of opportunities have been identified and, subject to funding, could be implemented to ensure a comprehensive coverage of traffic control and travel information in Basingstoke and the surrounding area.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7691/TB