22 Jun 2009
MPs have postponed a debate on European Commission proposals to control the direction of intelligent transport systems (ITS) across Europe.
The Commons European Committee said a debate seemed appropriate but it would not take a decision until it had information on how the Commission intends to amend proposals for a draft directive and how the next Swedish-led presidency of the EU will carry the issue forward.
The plan to introduce Europe-wide ITS has stalled as countries debate the best way to co-ordinate adoption. To date, different countries have introduced ITS in different ways, and no effort has been made to harmonise activity.
ITS cover the use of information and communication networks to improve the efficiency of transport networks by better informing - and in some cases charging - those who are using them. The UK is among the leaders in this field.
The EC introduced a framework directive that it hoped to use to mandate member states to co-ordinate systems. But the UK - alongside others such as Ireland, Portugal and the Netherlands - feel that such a forced approach would be a mistake. The UK wants a more market-based approach, with interoperability standards provided centrally.
The committee was told the UK government supports the general objectives of the Commission but did not believe all its objectives required legislation.
A report to Parliament said the UK supports an approach using co-ordination and co-operation.
Traffic volumes are rising faster than the road network can grow and we are faced with the problem of managing congestion rather than believing we can do away with it.
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) will transform the journey planning experience and reduce both the environmental and financial costs of travel.
Technologies are available to enable smarter routing that avoids congestion and shortens journey times as well as giving greater confidence in forecasted journey times, all of which contribute to lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions.
Soon journey planning and navigation device applications - that can be used in satnavs, smartphones, in-vehicle systems and web applications - will incorporate these technologies and have the ability to suggest routes to the desired destination with an accurate forecasted journey time. The suggestions will be based on the drivers' particular driving style and preferred type of road, as well as the expected congestion for the particular time of day and day of week.
While travelling, the traffic forecasting technology that understands the normal daily cycle of traffic loading on the roads will be integrated with real time traffic information. This will provide details of any incidents en route and recalculate the journey time accordingly. If an incident is severe, an alternative route will be suggested, journey time recalculated - incorporating the expected congestion on the new route - and a new estimate will be provided.
Congestion is a day-to-day fact of road life, we cannot get rid of it, therefore more effort needs to be spent on delivering Intelligent Transport Systems that can forecast and manage it effectively.
Yours sincerely,
John Holland
Chief Executive
Journey Dynamics
www.journeydynamics.com
Posted by: John Holland 06 Jul 2009
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