Archived decisions

Contact: Tony Brown, ext 7955 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This paper proposes a strategy annex on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for inclusion in the full Local Transport Plan (LTP).

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 The tools and deployment plan described in this report support the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

(i) Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities) by helping meet the County Council's objective of providing opportunities for the whole community and reducing the impact of discrimination;

(ii) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by helping meet the County Council's objective of reducing the environmental impact of transport by reducing the need to travel, by encouraging greater use of non-car modes of travel and improved management of the transport network; and

(iii) Aim 3 (Achieving Economic Prosperity) by managing traffic delays at the junctions to optimise the efficient movement of vehicles.

3. Background

3.1 Hampshire County Council submitted its provisional LTP to the Government at the end of July 2005 and is now required to submit a full LTP by the end of March 2006. In addition to the overall strategy contained in the provisional LTP, the full LTP will include more detailed information about programmes, schemes and targets.

3.2 The full LTP will also include a number of policy annexes. These will explain the County Council's policies on specific topics, such as Intelligent Transport Systems, `Smarter Choices' and Passenger Transport. There will also be separate annexes on the four area transport strategies. The purpose of these strategy annexes is to establish the County Council's policies and strategies at a greater level of detail than would be appropriate for the main text of the LTP and to set out its proposed programmes of action. This first officer draft of the ITS Strategy is being brought forward for consideration by Members at an early stage to facilitate a full political input to the development of the LTP.

3.3 Copies of the draft ITS Strategy annex document have been placed in each of the Members' rooms. The draft ITS Strategy will also be presented at the LTP Members' Workshop on 24 November at the Guildhall.

4. Intelligent Transport Systems and the LTP

4.1 The core philosophy of the LTP is that transport problems should be addressed by a process to reduce, manage and invest. ITS can contribute to all aspects of this philosophy and there are many references to the use of ITS and traffic and travel information throughout the LTP document to meet the vision and objectives. A key component of the congestion strategy is to make effective use of a range of ITS tools, to both manage and control traffic (eg using traffic signals) and influence travel choice (eg providing appropriate travel information), including data collection and communication together with the integration of different systems and users of the network. Developing the traffic control and travel information service is a core element of the five year strategy as set out in the LTP (Section 5.149-5.162). The use of traffic control and travel information is also highlighted as an opportunity to deal with transport problems through the use of ITS for better road management and enforcement together with the use of information and communication technology.

4.2 The use and role of ITS features within each of the four transport strategy areas to deliver on the specific transport objectives and vision for these areas.

4.3 The traffic control and travel information service will contribute to the objectives of the LTP as follows:

Reduce the number of journeys made

(i) Information for travel planning and other initiatives to reduce unnecessary journeys, particularly by private car.

(ii) Information to encourage behavioural change and modal change, ie real-time bus passenger information, pre-trip journey planning and information.

(iii) Discourage unnecessary journeys through the provision of real-time information.

Manage the existing transport networks

(i) Information on road works, congestion and incidents to help minimise delays and improve journey time reliability.

(ii) Optimise the efficiency of traffic control systems, including pedestrian crossings, using technological innovations to maximise the capacity of the road network for all users and reduce unnecessary delay.

(iii) Traffic management using ITS, including traffic control and travel information systems.

(iv) Better information to the travelling public and businesses about travel options.

Invest in transport infrastructure

(i) Investment in ITS to provide the County Council with the traffic control and travel information systems needed to manage the transport network more effectively in their role as a network manager will contribute to the vision, objectives and monitoring of the LTP. Improved information for the travelling public and businesses can also be used alongside traditional infrastructure improvements, such as traffic controlled junctions and pedestrian crossings, to add value in providing additional capacity within the transport network.

5. ITS Strategy

5.1 The ITS Strategy sets out the approach, methods and tools which will be employed to assist the delivery of the LTP objectives. In addition the strategy reflects the approach required to meet the County Council's obligations under the new Traffic Management Act and explains the processes in respect of corporate initiatives such as Asset Management, Equalities and ensuring cost effective service delivery.

5.2 The key areas relating to the operational aims and objectives of the ITS Strategy are outlined below:

(i) To design, implement, operate and maintain traffic control and travel information systems across Hampshire and the Area 3 Commission in a safe and effective manner.

(ii) To contribute to the efficient and effective operation of the transport network through the provision of traffic control and travel information from the TTIC based in Winchester.

(iii) To assist accessibility strategies by providing improved and credible information to the travelling public at the journey planning and on trip stages. The information is relevant to car and public transport users. Information will also promote social inclusion by increasing awareness of travel options and improving journey planning. This is particularly important to disabled users.

(iv) To contribute, as a major component, to the congestion strategy and the County Council's Network Management duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004. Information from CCTV, road based vehicle detectors, vehicle tracking technology and automatic number plate recognition systems will be used. This will be crucial in collecting and processing data to inform network managers of congestion hot spots and journey times. Effective information output through VMS, car park information systems, the internet, radio and TV will help manage incidents and events on the network and allow users to make informed decisions on choice of route and time or mode of travel. New technologies improve the effectiveness and efficiency of traffic signal junctions increasing capacity by up to 20%. This can reduce congestion and enable bus priority and pedestrian crossing facilities to be provided without increasing delay for other road users.

(v) To contribute towards the targets and objectives of the local transport plan, PSA and BVPI through the implementation of traffic control and travel information schemes and facilities as part of an integrated approach.

(vi) To promote the development of new ideas and best practice for the role and application of new technology and communications in meeting the requirements and objectives of the Corporate Strategy and the Department's key service areas.

(vii) To work in partnership with Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils in the development of an integrated traffic and travel information service for the Solent Transport Region.

(viii) To influence regional, national and European agencies in their approach to the development and deployment of traffic and travel information systems, including joint working with the Highways Agency and Department for Transport.

(ix) To support Air Quality Action Plans with timely and credible information to help negate the impacts of traffic and congestion in sensitive areas (eg by offering route guidance and influencing time, mode and route choices). Linked to the management of congestion, systems will also monitor network conditions and their effects on air quality.

(x) To support successful QBP development through provision of RTI and other traffic and travel information initiatives, such as Bus Departure Information Screens and journey planning kiosks. In conjunction with other improvements, good quality information will improve the journey experience for bus passengers and help promote modal shift and user confidence. Bus stops will be fitted with electronic displays to advise passengers of bus arrivals in real-time. The information will also be disseminated through the internet and mobile phones. The system will also allow for bus service punctuality and schedule adherence to be monitored which will assist service planning and management.

6. Impact Assessments

6.1 As the intention of ITS is to improve accessibility, help manage the transport network and widen travel choices, it is expected to have a positive impact on Hampshire residents and environments.

Recommendation

That the Committee supports the principles and emphasis of the draft Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy annex to the second Local Transport Plan.

667/AB