OPERATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER (MAN-MACHINE TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM). ADVANCED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM OF TOKYO METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

The concentration government organizations and the finance industry in Tokyo is causing traffic-related problems, such as congestion, accidents, and pollution. To counter these problems, the Advanced Traffic Control System, which is aimed at making traffic flow safer and smoother and improving Tokyo's functions as a metropolis, was completed and operating in February 1995. The man-machine system of the Advanced Traffic Control System automates the process of monitoring traffic conditions, which is based on past experience in monitoring traffic and reduces the load on the operator. It also aims to provide a full range of functions that assist in the establishment and implementation of traffic policies. To achieve these goals, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department constructed an engineering workstation, which employs various digital maps and the latest graphical user interface, and command desks, which incorporate numerous operation units. In addition, a large information board was constructed for displaying traffic information and the system was assembled so that the information board operates together with the command desks to assist traffic control jobs. A new video tape recording unit was added to the existing television system to strengthen traffic control facilities. This report gives an overview of the concepts behind the man-machine system of the Advanced Traffic Control System and explains the newly incorporated functions and their operation.