TABASCO-STEPS FORWARD TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN EUROPE

The TABASCO (Telematics Applications in Bavaria, Scotland and Others) initiative is developing more reliable transport systems to meet the needs of the citizens, the economy, and the environment, and demonstrating this improvement in the European context. Significant improvements are being made to transport systems based on public and private sector investment in Advanced Transport Telematics (ATT). TABASCO is a European demonstration project to implement multi-modal information and control systems as a means to solve transport problems of cities. The focus of the project is user oriented validation of transport telematics systems developed and implemented in cities and the regions surrounding them. This paper describes the current status and planned developments of the TABASCO project. Priorities include environmental management, fleet management, vehicle control, evaluation and user needs, urban and regional policies, and dissemination and coordination. TABASCO is providing the communication links and information databases for making all modes of transport more efficient, safer, and less harmful environmentally. New systems can aid interchanges and through travel, particularly at the critical interface of interurban motorway and urban transport systems, where so many of Europe's key transport problems lie. This paper presents the background, technical achievements, and political considerations of developing and deploying intelligent transportation systems services under the TABASCO initiative.