Department of Civil Engineering DSCE

CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION
• BENEFITS OF ITS
• PRESENT DAY TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT
• CLASSIFICATION OF ITS
• NECESSITY FOR USING ITS
• ITS IN INDIA
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

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INRODUCTION

What is ITS?

Traffic control has been an issue since humans put the first wheels on the first cart. The
modern world demands mobility. Cars represent the main method of mobility, but today’s
congested highways and city streets don’t move fast, and sometimes they don’t move at
all. Intelligent traffic systems (ITS), sometimes called intelligent transportation systems,
apply communications and information technology to provide solutions to this congestion
as well as other traffic control issues.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) represent a major transition in transportation on

many dimensions. ITS is an international program intended to improve the effectiveness
and efficiency of surface transportation systems through advanced technologies in
information systems, communications, and sensors. ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems)
is a system which is designed to promote advance technology, to ensure that the
Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC) is effective and to support safe driving. With
this system, people, roads, and vehicles use the latest information communication
technology.

The intelligent transport system (ITS) takes the first step towards meeting this challenge
by providing effective, reliable and meaningful knowledge to motorists in time.
Problems like high traffic congestion, low transportation efficiency, low safety and
endangered environment can be solved through innovative and sophisticated ways of
handling latest techniques that have emerged in recent years in integrating information
technology, electronics and telecommunication with roads and traffic management.

Intelligent transportation systems, or ITS, encompass a broad range of wireless and

wireline communications-based information, control and electronics technologies. When
integrated into the transportation system infrastructure, and in vehicles themselves, these
technologies help monitor and manage traffic flow, reduce congestion, provide alternate

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routes to travelers, enhance productivity, and save lives, time and money.

Intelligent transportation systems provide the tools for skilled transportation professionals
to collect, analyze, and archive data about the performance of the system during the hours
of peak use. Having this data enhances traffic operators' ability to respond to incidents,
adverse weather or other capacity constricting events

BENEFITS OF ITS

The investments in ITS will help increase the benefits and efficiencies of transportation
systems, thereby reducing the need for much costlier physical expansion of systems. This
optimism is not to be confused as any kind of illusion that new infrastructure expansion
in India can be avoided altogether by resorting to ITS. Significant expansion of
infrastructure will still be needed in India for a long time to come. But including ITS in
the overall development strategy of India’s transportation system can increase the number
of beneficiaries of the system, significantly enhance the transportation-related safety
which is a major concern in most parts of India and in some cases reduce the scale of
infrastructure expansion. Thus, a realistic approach to ITS deployment in India would
consist of a balanced component of ITS as part of the ongoing expansion of
transportation system.

ITS initiatives in industrialized countries have clearly identified a number of benefits

associated with such projects. Even though ITS projects are implemented with specific
objectives with specific benefits in mind, the overall benefits to the society may prove to
be quite substantial in many cases. For example, Toronto’s COMPASS Freeway Traffic
Management System, one of the first and successful ITS projects in the world has been
subjected to a great deal of scrutiny to evaluate its benefits. COMPASS has been found to
reduce the incident response times from 86 minutes to 30 minutes, the overall vehicle
delay by 5.3 million vehicle-hours per year, the overall emission by 3,100 tones per year
and the operating costs of commercial vehicles by $55 million per year. Cities in the

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United States have reported an increase in throughout by 25% and reduction in travel
times by 25% after implementing appropriate ITS initiatives. The following is a list of
identified benefits of ITS projects :

• Reduced rush hour congestion and delay

• Increased safety and personal security
• Time savings and operation efficiencies
• Reduced fuel consumption and emissions
• Improved customer service and reduced frustration
• Reduced road accidents and fatalities and
• Enhanced economic productivity.

PRESENT DAY TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT

With the advent of new technologies, it is necessary to update the information and
implement, the know how after carefully going through the traffic problems. At present
traffic police are regulating the traffic partially and remaining is controlled by semi and
fully automatic systems. Most of the cities in India have the combination of manual as
well as automated systems like signals, vehicle actuated signals, electronic toll
collections, CCTV, Area traffic control, signal synchronization and coordination with
local loop network.

To use or to adopt any system for a given environment, it is important to study and
analyze the problem which helps to choose a particular method or system.

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

• Traffic congestion and delays.

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• Inadequate public transportation facilities, which run behind schedules, causing

inconvenience to public.
• Inadequate road facilities, which is not proportional to traffic growth which is due
to increase in number of vehicles with little or no space for widening or for any
change.
• Prohibitive costs for any new facilities.
• High accident rates due to varying speed of vehicles and lack of discipline among
road users.
• Shortage of manpower.
• Increase in air and noise pollution due to increase in number of vehicles.
• Acute parking problem in urban areas.
• Absence of effective monitoring and prevention of traffic violation.
• Non-cooperation from public for any new system or changes.

CLASSIFICATION OF ITS

Advanced public transport system: (APTS)

APTS technologies are a collection of technologies that increase the efficiency and
safety of public transportation systems and offer users greater access to information
on system operations. The implementation of APTS technologies is transforming the
way public transportation systems operate, and changing the nature of the
transportation services that can be offered by public transportation systems. The
goal is to provide public transportation decision-makers more information to make
effective decisions on systems and operations and to increase travelers Convenience and
rider ship.

APTS technologies can be organized into three broad categories that describe the
technologies relevance to transit applications. Each category is comprised of a
variety of technology choices that are available to help transport agencies and

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organizations meet traveler’s service needs while increasing safety and efficiency.
The three APTS technology categories are: fleet management system, travelers
information system and electronic payment system.

Advanced traveler information system: (ATIS)

Advanced travelers information systems (ATIS), a part of new technology applications in

transportation, provide accurate and timely information that help travelers to select
routes, times of travel and travel modes. They work even better with inclusion of
geographic tourist guides and yellow pages that enable travelers to select destinations
based on proximity to other places.

Deliver data directly to travelers, empowering them to make better choices about
alternate routes or modes of transportation. When archived, this historical data provides
transportation planners with accurate travel pattern information, optimizing the
transportation planning process.

Advanced Traffic Management System: (ATMS)

This system can benefit the public with improved traffic and public safety, by monitoring
the flow of traffic and making appropriate decisions in a timely manner. Additional
benefits include less fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact. They employ a
variety of relatively inexpensive detectors, cameras, and communication systems to
monitor traffic, optimize signal timings on major arterials, and control the flow of traffic.

Automated highway system: (AHS)

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An automated highway system (AHS) refers to a specially equipped highway lane in

which vehicles are automatically controlled; that is, the vehicles steering, brakes and
throttle are controlled by the system, not the driver. Vehicle-mounted sensors are used to
judge the vehicle's position by visual data on the lane marking. It then uses this
information to steer the vehicle. The system keeps the vehicle in the same lane provided
it senses no obstacles in the road ahead. If it detects a slow-moving vehicle ahead, it
directs the vehicle to change lanes, provided the way is clear. Once it has overtaken the
obstacle, the system returns the vehicle to the original lane. If the next lane is occupied,
the system slows the vehicle to maintain a safe braking distance. If a vehicle ahead has
come to a stop, the vehicle is smoothly brought to a stop. The AHS lanes and the vehicles
that operate on them are likely to have special sensors, computers and communications
devices to permit the automated control. To travel on an AHS, a driver of an AHS-
equipped vehicle might pull into the designated lanes, perhaps similar to some of today’s
high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

(Fig:1) Automated highway system

Incident management system:

Intelligent transportation systems offer many types of information. They may offer real-
time information about traffic conditions, such as variable message signs (Fig:2) to warn
of accidents or other delays. ITS controls the flow of traffic via traffic signals, or by
opening and closing special gated lanes that allow commuters to access additional traffic
lanes in one direction or the other, depending on the time of day, and the direction of the
heaviest commuter traffic flow. Some applications provide fog sensors that activate road
lights in areas where heavy fog can occur and cause extremely hazardous driving
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conditions. These fog sensors may also be used to send a message to a variable message
sign located before the foggy section to warn motorists of the upcoming hazard.

(Fig:2) Variable message sign

They provide traffic operators with the tools to allow quick and efficient response to
accidents, hazardous spills, and other emergencies. There are major corridors where
traffic flows are very heavy. Any small incident obstructs the flow, resulting in huge
losses in terms of fuel and time. Consequently, conducting surveillance on corridors and
identifying incidents causing problems can be useful in saving economic losses.
Surveillance systems are based on electronically operated cameras or loop detectors
embedded in pavements. Enables authorities to identify and to respond to vehicle crashes
or breakdowns with the most appropriate and timely emergency services, thereby
minimizing recovery times.

Electronic toll collection system:

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ETC is based on vehicle roadside communication system; more precisely, it is an

application of electronic signature detection to passenger and commercial vehicle traffic
for the purpose of collecting tolls.

Here is how it works: when a vehicle passes through the toll gate, a microwave tag (non-
contact IC card) exchanges information both ways between the gate and the vehicle to
automatically subtract the toll from, for example, a prepaid card or a bank account. This
method offers a huge increase in efficiency compared to manual toll collection, and
should reduce traffic congestion at toll-booths, save energy, and reduce exhaust
emissions(Fig:3.1)

ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) is a system by which drivers can pay tolls
without having to stop at a tollbooth. The collection of fees is performed electronically by
way of equipment installed in the vehicle and sensors at the toll location

(Fig:3) Electronic toll collection system (Fig:3.1) Conceptual image of ETC

Advanced warning system: (AWS)

This system addresses the present accident caused when traffic slows down abruptly due
to road conditions, forcing the driver to apply brakes and if they cannot apply brake in
advance, it may cause crash to other vehicles and at the same time vehicle behind may
crash into this vehicle. This leads to chain reaction of accidents. The information given to
the driver when the vehicles come close either from front or back is conveyed through
AWS which helps in preventing road crashes.

Vehicle Information and Communications System: (VICS)

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In this system, the drivers are provided with real-time information on the traffic
conditions via FM multiple broadcasting, radio waves. Here the traffic personnel can take
a channel in FM band to update and inform all road users about the Traffic flow
conditions and other information like congestion, jams, roadblocks, pollution levels etc.
Road map( fig 4.1 ) quickly shows the driver the traffic conditions in surrounding areas..
The map shows the driver which roads are congested. It also displays other traffic
restrictions, such as expressway on-ramp closures. The driver can use this information to
select the best route by using in-vehicle monitor.

(Fig:4) Radio beacons (expressway) (Fig: 4.1) Schematic information display

(Fig: 4.2) In vehicle monitor

Video transmission:

Surveillance of intersections, ramps and tunnels, incident detection or verification, and

replacement of traffic signal loop sensors is an increasingly popular ITS tool. Lately,

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communities have been installing cameras on traffic signals to record the license plates of
cars whose drivers run a red light. All of these applications require distance between the
site where the information is collected and the location where the information gets stored.
Video transmission that incorporates 2-way data has grown as an ITS application.
Vehicles with speed violations can be captured along with registration numbers using this
system at places like mid block, junctions, etc. Automatic detection of unauthorized
vehicles on restricted corridors and parking areas are possible, which improves the traffic
control and safety. These are some of the applications of this system.

(Fig:5) Traffic sensor and traffic camera

NECESSITY FOR USING ITS

• Provides novel applications by smart technology.

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• Systematically employs advanced technologies in the field of transportation to

enhance benefits for road users.
• Improves the existing transportation services through interconnected embedded
technologies.
• The mean speed can be increased by efficiently monitoring the vehicle speeds.
• Reduction in road crashes.
• Provides system to avoid collision, accidents, and improves night vision and road
alertness.
• Enables the rapid arrival of emergency vehicles during accidents to transfer the
victims to trauma care centers within the golden hour through incident
management systems.

ITS IN INDIA

In India 70 State Transport Undertakings which together own and operate 1,13,000
Buses and, provide mobility to 65 million passengers a day, across the length and
Breadth of the country. APTS technologies along with Fleet Management Systems
can make use, to achieve sustainable and environmental friendly transportation for
the 21stCentury. In addition to the above technologies, institutional and market
factors also play an important role in successful ITS deployment for enhanced
safety, mitigation of environmental impacts of transportation systems, enhanced
energy performance, and improved productivity.

ITS has been proved to be the optimal solution to the enigma of building and
operating transportation systems to meet expeditiously growing urban travel demand
in developed countries.

The most important task of ITS India will be the dissemination of ITS knowledge and
imparting training for new professionals. ITS India would be able to bring the ITS
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expertise in the public and private sectors and academia under one umbrella. Taking into
account the political, economic and linguistic differences in India from one region to
another, the ministry of Surface Transportation may have to take the lead in establishing
such an organization. In the Indian context, a professional body of this nature would be
expected to consist of regional units in each state with a coordinating central body.

In 1980’s, number of developed countries started using advanced systems to control and
regulate the traffic, accident accident prevention, parking , toll collections, signalization
and other vital tasks. This is still to develop in India to suit our local ambience. Also the
problems faced by us are different than those in developed countries. The very first
equipment to be used in Indian environment was electronic toll collection along the
newly created expressways viz., Delhi-Noida, Ahmedabad-Mehasana, Mumbai-pune,
expressways which is functioning satisfactorily.

What we need for the present day in India is to save the lives of innocent people from
onslaught of accidents, which is termed as “murder on wheels”. This is because every
year more than rupees 7000 crores are being spent as compensation from authorities.
Using ITS, it is possible to save the lives of the victims by transferring them to trauma
care centers within the golden hour. Almost, more than 1% of GDP is just paid as
compensation. In developed countries, a portion of this type of amount is spent in
advance to improve road, traffic and other related conditions to prevent accidents
beforehand, which are termed as “import cost”. In India, accidents are allowed to take
place and compensation is paid later which amounts to a greater magnitude, which is
termed as “export cost”. In this direction, number of technically advanced systems are
available in the developed countries, whereas this is always a question mark in
developing countries particularly in India.

What is needed in the present context is the mindset of policy and decision makers to use
for Indian highways and problematic locations of urban areas. What ultimately is
expected is co-operation from end user and the adaptation to the new system.

CONCLUSION
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The potential of ITS technologies in improving the efficiency of transportation sector in

India appears to be very promising based on the experience of other countries. It is
understood that a national strategic ITS plan for India is needed for the effective
development and deployment of ITS initiatives in India. A broad framework of such a
plan is presented here to generate a discussion on the topic among transportation
professionals and policy makers in India. The importance of professional cooperation in
the area of ITS between the public and private sectors and the academia is also identified
and a preliminary organizational set-up towards this end is presented in the form of ITS
India.

In India many infrastructural projects are under construction and some are still in
planning stage. Some of the ITS technologies like AWS, ETC, fleet management,
incident management can be applied to achieve an efficient transport system. Public
transport that is almost monopolized in Indian cities can utilize ITS based technologies
for their effective operation. Since ITS technology is as old 20 years in the world, India
will have to pick up this for its updating and on par with developed countries in modern
transportation requirements.

REFERENCES

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• Prof.M.N. Sreehari, MSRIT, Bangalore,December 2003,”Intelligent Transport

System”,Technical proceedings: Build Tech
• www.itsa.org
• www.itsa.uts.edu.au
• www.its.sticn.com.cn/its/htm
• www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/~fellowship/ civil%20dept%20brochures.pdf
• www.fibre-optics.info
• www.tele.soumu.go
• www.tcs.com/0_industry_practices/transportation/download/intelligent_transportation_sys
tems.pdf

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