Experience in urban traffic control systems

This paper gives a brief introduction to various classes of urban traffic signal control systems which are currently in use in Australia and other parts of the world. The hardware and software of these systems allow traffic engineers to monitor traffic operations graphically, collect traffic statistics and network performance data, review and investigate problems and fault reports, manually interact with the system and provide equipment performance statistics. In Australia, most traffic authorities employ permanent staff to design, install and maintain these urban traffic control equipment networks and traffic operation. The alternative to this policy is the use of suppliers to provide turn key systems. However, both policies generally suffer similar problems of personnel training and retention of experienced staff. The on-going success of any urban traffic control system depends on the level of maintenance afforded by the traffic authority. In order to maintain a high level of return from this investment a traffic authority must ensure that the level of expertise and the elements of the system are properly maintained. In the area of computer hardware and software, the system must be well supported to avoid premature obsolescence (A).