ROMANSE - ROAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR EUROPE

The ROMANSE project was a key partner of the highly successful SCOPE project. The project was concerned with the development of Southampton as a model for transport management systems using Advanced Transport Telematics. Four field trials have been undertaken in Strategic Information Systems, Public Transport, Integrated Urban Traffic Management and Traffic and Travel Information. This resulted in the implementation of a real-time passenger information system (STOPWATCH) using beacon based Automatic Beacon Location system for buses, Bus Priority within a dynamic UTC system, provision of Variable Message Signs, installation of CCTV cameras with video image processing for incident detection throughout the city, placement of TRIPlanner public access terminals providing multi-modal travel information and creation of a Traffic and Travel Information Centre providing timely travel information. The paper discusses the project successes and the next stage of the project - developing the systems into large scale demonstration trials. STOPWATCH will be expanded to provide city wide coverage. Other systems will be developed and enhanced such as TRIPlanner and additional in-home information systems provided. As in SCOPE, ROMANSE will be at the heart of the FP4 project EUROSCOPE with new areas being explored. Traveller information will be further improved with in-vehicle displays on public transport and provision of pre-trip traveller information services. SMARTCARD technology for freight will be applied to provide a city pre-gate facility. Further network control measures are to be implemented for environmental monitoring, integrated incident management strategies and the linking of control and information centres.