Smart Parking
On Street parking remains the thorn in the side of any existing or proposed automated parking solutions. However, Touching Blue has a unique solution that will allow, not only on-street parking spaces to be booked, but also provide additional special facilities in the process. The system requires no in-surface parking bay monitors as it intelligently manages space and utilises machine learning to improve over time. The system also provides new features to local authorities to make the most of their infrastructure and related income but can also link into emergency plans and tactical use of on-street space.
Smart Roadworks
Off peak roadworks are currently performed under Local Authority traffic management policy. However, scope exists to review how this is done and Touching Blue has developed a new methodology that will help reduce the impact of such works while benefiting the local authority and reducing costs for contractors.
Traffic Control [UTMC]
UK traffic signals have been controlled for decades by computer systems. Generally, the computer system covers a Local Authority [LA] area and the equipment resides in an LA control centre where traffic related CCTV cameras are also accessed. Traffic engineers and technicians can influence the system, if necessary, to achieve the optimum configuration for control of traffic on their local network.
An intelligent system known as SCOOT has been evolving since the 1980's and replaced an older 'Fixed Time' system that was based on specific timings for am peak, pm peak, and in some bigger cities, between daytime peaks also. SCOOT monitors the network and adapts traffic light timings in 'real-time' according to varying traffic flow. SCOOT can provide an efficiency over 'good' fixed time plans of 13%-15% but, although it is essentially an 'off the shelf' product, the initial database build and the positioning and installation of underground traffic monitoring 'detector loops' must be done carefully. A final process known as 'validation' that allows SCOOT to accurately model the road network and its traffic, is then carried out by skilled engineers over days or weeks.
Greater efficiency can be achieved by adding a common database so that planned and unplanned events can be catered for within 'strategies'. Such strategies can be developed for numerous eventualities and either manually triggered by an operator, or automatically triggered based on specific changes on a particular part of the network. Examples would be the mass exodus of traffic from a sports arena which can be detected typically within 5 minutes. Major changes are subsequently made to SCOOT parameters to manage the excess traffic along key routes to clear traffic quickly. Or, in the event of a major road closure, alternative route signals can be amended automatically and variable message signs set as appropriate; the possibilities are numerous.
Unfortunately, underfunding has been an issue for many UTC centres and many skilled traffic engineers have moved on or retired and not always been replaced. SCOOT is often seen as a 'black box' by those who hold the purse strings, much to the frustration of engineers, and local authorities.
In the meantime, traffic continues to grow and Autonomous Vehicles will allow those not currently able to use a vehicle on the road to be able to do so; someone over the alcohol limit or even banned from driving, may use an autonomous vehicle provided they are authorised to do so. Next or same day deliveries is another cause of increasing vehicles on the road and network management must evolve to meet the needs.
Touching Blue Limited is pioneering a new concept that avoids the pitfalls of the current methodology and skill shortages. The future will see a new methodology which will afford Local Authorities considerable control over every aspect of their network but without the need to understand the mechanism.
An intelligent system known as SCOOT has been evolving since the 1980's and replaced an older 'Fixed Time' system that was based on specific timings for am peak, pm peak, and in some bigger cities, between daytime peaks also. SCOOT monitors the network and adapts traffic light timings in 'real-time' according to varying traffic flow. SCOOT can provide an efficiency over 'good' fixed time plans of 13%-15% but, although it is essentially an 'off the shelf' product, the initial database build and the positioning and installation of underground traffic monitoring 'detector loops' must be done carefully. A final process known as 'validation' that allows SCOOT to accurately model the road network and its traffic, is then carried out by skilled engineers over days or weeks.
Greater efficiency can be achieved by adding a common database so that planned and unplanned events can be catered for within 'strategies'. Such strategies can be developed for numerous eventualities and either manually triggered by an operator, or automatically triggered based on specific changes on a particular part of the network. Examples would be the mass exodus of traffic from a sports arena which can be detected typically within 5 minutes. Major changes are subsequently made to SCOOT parameters to manage the excess traffic along key routes to clear traffic quickly. Or, in the event of a major road closure, alternative route signals can be amended automatically and variable message signs set as appropriate; the possibilities are numerous.
Unfortunately, underfunding has been an issue for many UTC centres and many skilled traffic engineers have moved on or retired and not always been replaced. SCOOT is often seen as a 'black box' by those who hold the purse strings, much to the frustration of engineers, and local authorities.
In the meantime, traffic continues to grow and Autonomous Vehicles will allow those not currently able to use a vehicle on the road to be able to do so; someone over the alcohol limit or even banned from driving, may use an autonomous vehicle provided they are authorised to do so. Next or same day deliveries is another cause of increasing vehicles on the road and network management must evolve to meet the needs.
Touching Blue Limited is pioneering a new concept that avoids the pitfalls of the current methodology and skill shortages. The future will see a new methodology which will afford Local Authorities considerable control over every aspect of their network but without the need to understand the mechanism.
Freight Logistics
Currently, there is no real discrimination, or recognition, of different vehicles on the highway, exceptions being; emergency vehicles, high priority police routes, bus lanes, abnormal loads, cycle lanes and pedestrian facilities, which are all in conflict with general traffic.
Bus lanes can reduce link capacity if simply applied within the general network and can increase overall congestion and emissions. Some cities have reduced or removed bus lanes to improve capacity since the predicted migration from car to 'reliable' bus was over estimated. To encourage change of travel habits, the entire journey must be included in the solution; electricity, water and humans tend to follow the path of least resistance. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) provides greater potential for the future of personal transport.
Freight, however, is a major area in road transport and this cannot be understated. The economy of the world rests on the shoulders of haulage companies, ports, shipping lines, rail, HGV breakdown services and maintenance crews, and most of all, HGV drivers. Just in Time delivery means reduced space requirement for storage of parts but those parts must arrive when scheduled. Modal-interchange appointment slots (transfer of cargo between transport modes) must be met, at road/rail terminals and ports, or there can be significant impact on manufacturing, commerce and so on. It is time to recognise the importance of freight on our road network and to take appropriate action.
Journey Time Reliability is essential in freight movement and the good news is that much of the infra-structure required to implement solutions is already in place. Our intention is to endorse the huge investment of Local Authorities, and National Government, in traffic management by utilising existing systems as the foundation for future evolution.
Bus lanes can reduce link capacity if simply applied within the general network and can increase overall congestion and emissions. Some cities have reduced or removed bus lanes to improve capacity since the predicted migration from car to 'reliable' bus was over estimated. To encourage change of travel habits, the entire journey must be included in the solution; electricity, water and humans tend to follow the path of least resistance. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) provides greater potential for the future of personal transport.
Freight, however, is a major area in road transport and this cannot be understated. The economy of the world rests on the shoulders of haulage companies, ports, shipping lines, rail, HGV breakdown services and maintenance crews, and most of all, HGV drivers. Just in Time delivery means reduced space requirement for storage of parts but those parts must arrive when scheduled. Modal-interchange appointment slots (transfer of cargo between transport modes) must be met, at road/rail terminals and ports, or there can be significant impact on manufacturing, commerce and so on. It is time to recognise the importance of freight on our road network and to take appropriate action.
Journey Time Reliability is essential in freight movement and the good news is that much of the infra-structure required to implement solutions is already in place. Our intention is to endorse the huge investment of Local Authorities, and National Government, in traffic management by utilising existing systems as the foundation for future evolution.
Projects pending
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Emergency Vehicle priority:
Bus priority: SCOOT On-street parking: Road works: |
Saving lives by real-time control of traffic lights for emergency vehicles is going to become a reality, potentially. TBL has two emergency vehicle developments prepared for inclusion in an upcoming project, which are likely to impact journey times for Emergency Vehicles.
Bus Priority is now more important than ever before; modal shift is necessary, beneficial to all, and will especially assist hauliers to distribute goods across the UK. TBL is developing an algorithm to assist PSVs at reduced ongoing cost and with increased reliability. SCOOT Validation is rewarding but time-consuming work. Cutbacks in recent years have devastated many UTC centres, and staff often don't have the time to review these complex systems due to many commitments. Traffic patterns, road layouts, and lane usage, change over years and SCOOT needs to be kept up to date. TBL is happy to assist local authorities in Initial validation and revalidation, including initial SCOOT design assessment; detector sighting, database configuration, etc. On-Street Parking remains governed mostly by Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), but what if parking space could be booked in advance, bookings modified in real-time, and even the designation of space changed according to events? TBL has a proposal to provide these features, and more, all of which are designed to enhance urban area parking, including city centre, and increasing local authority income. Off-Peak Road works spanning a number of days inefficient, and costly to the contractor, Local Authority, and motorists. TBL has a solution to reduce the duration of such works, by tailoring the works pattern to suit local conditions. Reduced duration reduces costs in terms of lane rental, plant hire fees, and number of projects that can be undertaken each year. It also reduces damage to the local environment and public health and consequential traffic delays are reduced. Please contact TBL for more information |
