Transport efficiency and fuel conservation: traffic engineering objectives

Consideration of the objectives in planning for improved traffic management illustrates the advantages of placing emphasis on reduced fuel consumption and improved road safety as measures of effectiveness for the road user, and through traffic volumes as a measure of environmental impact on precinctal areas. Continuing research is needed on the overall effects of urban traffic system changes, as these are implemented, particularly the implications of such changes on fuel consumption levels. In addition, improved methods of estimating fuel consumption of traffic streams under various operating conditions are required. To be useful such methods must be simple to apply, using readily available or reliably estimated data. Co-ordinated signal systems offer considerable potential for reducing fuel consumption in Australian cities, and also assist in achieving other important community objectives.