THE APPLICATION OF TRANSPORT TELEMATICS IN HAMPSHIRE

ROMANSE - ROad MANagement System for Europe, based in Southampton and led by Hampshire County Council - started in 1992 as a three-year pilot project to develop flexible solutions to increasing congestion. Using Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to shape the region as a model for transport management across Europe, ROMANSE disseminates timely and accessible information to travellers both before and during their journeys. People can then make informed choices about their route, time of journey and most importantly, mode of travel. The system allows flexibility for people to change their route while travelling to avoid congestion, thereby maximising the efficiency of the transport network. The provision of high quality information through the Traffic and Travel Information Centre not only informs travellers, influences travel behaviour and increases demand for public transport but can also provide valuable data for strategic policy decisions. ROMANSE aims to affect the behavioural patterns of trip makers, resulting in the promotion of public transport as a viable alternative to private transport. The strategic objectives of the project are therefore to: (1) improve information about traffic and travel conditions for both the travelling public and transport system operators, thereby improving the ability to manage traffic and public transport services more efficiently; and (2) influence travel demand, encouraging a switch in mode (from the private car to public transport), in time of journey and in route or destination. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 490001.