Archived decisions

Contact: Adrian Gray, ext 6892

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines proposals for expanding intelligent transport systems in Winchester to provide accurate and timely travel information.

2. Background

2.1 Since 1992 the County Council has actively developed the use of technology and intelligent transport systems (ITS) to make the most effective use of the existing road network. The operation of ITS is now an integral part of transport policy and forms a core element of the individual area transport strategies.

2.2 The proposals are consistent with the County Council's transport strategy of using network management tools to utilise the full potential of the existing transport infrastructure. The measures complement the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP) and the European MIRACLES project (see agenda item 7). There is some overlap between the ITS proposals and the MIRACLES project and some ITS schemes could possibly be funded from this source.

3. Proposals

Closed Circuit Television

3.1 Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras provide visual confirmation of the traffic conditions in and on the approaches to the City. A number of dedicated traffic CCTV cameras have previously been installed and these, together with a number of cameras operated by the City Council installed for crime and disorder purposes, display images in the Traffic and Travel Information Centre (TTIC) located in Monument House. System operators at the TTIC in Winchester can process the information from the monitors, together with other reports, to gain a better understanding of what is happening and what action needs to be undertaken. Traffic and travel information can then be disseminated through a variety of different sources, for example local radio and television broadcasts, CEEFAX and TELETEXT pages, the ROMANSE on-line website and, more locally, via the variable message signs located to the south-east of Winchester.

3.2 The following CCTV schemes are proposed:

(i) Contribute towards a new crime and disorder camera, with a link to the TTIC, to be installed by the City Council on North Walls. Continuing the partnership with Winchester City Council to obtain best value from the existing infrastructure, it is proposed to introduce an additional link to the city centre security monitoring system. Whilst not all cameras are suitable for traffic monitoring, a number have valuable views of road network conditions.

(ii) Install a real-time CCTV camera at Pitt roundabout to view traffic conditions on Romsey Road (A3090) and the approach from Badger Farm Road (A3090) and Romsey Road (A3040).

(iii) In association with Winchester City Council install a real-time CCTV camera at North Walls outside the Police Station provided for both traffic monitoring and crime reduction purposes. Provide an electrical fibre-optic communication link between the TTIC and Winchester City Council's CCTV control room located in the Brooks Centre.

(iv) Install a dial-up CCTV camera at the junction of Stockbridge Road (B3049) puffin pedestrian crossing near Stoney Lane.

(v) Install a dial-up CCTV camera at Romsey Road (B3040) puffin pedestrian crossing.

Car Park Information

3.3 Car park occupancy is monitored using the Urban Traffic Control (UTC) computer. Motorists wishing to park are directed to appropriate car parks using a network of strategically located car park information variable message signs. The objective of the system is to reduce the number of motorists circulating around the City looking for a car parking space. The number of available spaces in the city centre car parks is also published on the ROMANSE on-line website as part of the traffic and travel information service.

3.4 The system was first installed in 1987. Since this time there have been changes to the car parks in Winchester, including the construction of the Brooks Shopping Centre. The system has been updated in response to these changes, but further alterations are now required to reflect current parking provision in Winchester, and the use of the ROMANSE on-line website.

3.5 A number of car parks in Winchester are not currently monitored. These include Chesil Street surface car park; the Riverside Leisure Centre car park; Worthy Lane car park and the rail station car parks. The Worthy Lane and rail station car parks are not city centre car parks, and it is not currently proposed to add these to the network of car park information variable message signs, but to provide occupancy information on the ROMANSE on-line website for these car parks would be a valuable, additional service.

3.6 The following car park monitoring schemes are proposed:

(i) Install vehicle counting equipment at Chesil Street surface car park, the Riverside Leisure Centre car park, Worthy Lane car park and the rail station car parks, and connect these car parks to the UTC system. With the exception of the Riverside Leisure Centre car park, the roadworks necessary to install the equipment are minor. The Riverside Leisure Centre car park will, however, require a duct to be installed from the car park entrance to St Peter's car park.

(ii) Provide new car park information variable message sign on Gordon Road indicating the status of the Leisure Centre and St Peter's car parks. This sign will be similar to the existing city centre car park information variable message signs, and will indicate only spaces or full for both car parks. Leisure Centre users will be encouraged to first use St Peter's car park when the Leisure Centre car park is full, rather than only using this car park, having first circulated around the Leisure Centre car park looking unsuccessfully for a space.

(iii) Replace existing car park information variable message sign on Bar End Road with a new sign providing additional information relating to the status of Barfield park and ride car park. Provide new car park information variable message sign on Barfield Close indicating the status of the Barfield park and ride and Chesil Street car parks. These signs will be similar to the existing city centre car park information variable message signs, and that proposed for Gordon Road, and will indicate spaces or full for both car parks.

4. Summary of Consultation

4.1 The Director of Development Services at Winchester City Council has been consulted and is broadly supportive of the proposals. Concern has, however, been expressed about the effect on visual amenity of a 10 metre pole and CCTV camera at Pitt roundabout. The countryside immediately adjacent to Pitt roundabout is an Area of Special Landscape Quality and the roundabout itself forms a 'gateway' to the City. Within operational constraints, the camera will be located in the least visually sensitive position.

5. Conclusion

5.1 The measures proposed for ITS in Winchester support the County Council's transport strategy for the City, and are consistent with the objectives of WMAP.

5.2 Through the provision of CCTV cameras knowledge of road network conditions can be improved, enabling accurate and timely traffic and travel information to be broadcast by operators in the TTIC across a number of different systems. Travellers are able to make informed choices about their route choice, the best time to make their journey and the most suitable mode of transport.

5.3 Improving car park occupancy information can reduce the number of motorists circulating unnecessarily as they search for spaces. There are a number of car parks in Winchester that are not monitored and could be usefully added to the system.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Winchester Movement and Access Plan Joint Members' Panel supports the proposals contained in this report and that a Project Appraisal be prepared seeking authority to implement the proposals when funding has been identified.

7745/ARG