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Guideline for Traffic Conditions (Predictive and Re al Time)
(DG03)
Core European ITS Services and Actions
GUIDELINE FOR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS (PREDICTIVE AND REAL TIME)
TIS - DG03
Date : 28 September 2010
Version : 2.00
Responsible: Ren Usath (Ministry of Building and Transport of
North Rhine-Westphalia)
Contributors: Holger Bergmann, AS&P Albert Speer und Partner
GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany Rita Jakoby, AS&P Albert Speer und
Partner GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany
Comments from: Expert and Study Group 1, EasyWay; Members of TIS
Expert and Study Group CENTRICO SC, EasyWay; STREETWISE SC, EasyWay
VIKING Partners, EasyWay German Partners, EasyWay; Thomas Durlin,
Ministry of Transport (MEEDDAT), France Chantal Furgaut, Ministry
of Transport (MEEDDAT), France Ian Cater, Traffic Wales, UK Ana I
Blanco, DGT, Spain Pilar Del Real, DGT, Spain Javier Samper,
IR-LISITT, Spain P. Perez, IR-LISITT, Spain Jerome Ferre, ICT EG
James Caffrey, Department of Transport, Ireland Panos Kokkoris,
General Secretariat of Public Works / Greece MTI-DTR/Romania
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GUIDELINE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF Traffic Conditions Information
(Predictive and Real Time) [TIS-DG03)]
SERVICE DEFINITION
Traffic Conditions Information Services means the provision to
road users of traffic conditions on identified road segments of the
TENT-T network and interfaces. This predictive or real-time
information could be released on-trip and pre-trip. Different media
could be used for its provision: roadside information panels (VMS),
websites, radios/TVs, mobile phones, navigation computers, etc. The
service is dedicated to road users and may include common
information as well as personalised (individual) information, it
focuses on road traffic information.
SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Traffic information is useful before and during a journey To
plan if / when / how to make the journey To minimize the impacts of
traffic congestion on peoples journey
Thus the drivers knowledge of traffic conditions will make a
significant contribution to improving environmental performance,
efficiency, including energy efficiency, safety and security of
road transport.
SERVICE LEVEL DEFINITION
LEVELS OF SERVICE: TRAFFIC CONDITIONS INFORMATION
CRITERIA LEVEL 0 LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2
User interface
One fixed language Data available is capable
of being provided in a
common and shared
language (English).
Data available is capable of
being provided independent of
language
Neighbouring Provision
No information
exchange
Information exchange to
neighbouring only
Neighbouring and beyond
Information Provider
exchange
Local and Secondary Network Information
None Travel Information for key
routes
Relevant travel information
beyond key routes can be
provided
Level of Detail (Location Reference)
None Route specific segments
(between 2 junctions)
Road segment specific
(approx 1 km)
EUROPEAN DIMENSION
Ideally traffic conditions information should in the European
dimension provide continuity across neighbouring regions and
between member states. Thus the purpose of this Guideline is to
develop the existing services towards having a truly European
(pan-European) service and to assure an adequate service quality
(Level of service). The European continuity aspects are the service
coverage (geographical and time availability), the continuity as
regards content across corridors and TEN-T network and interfaces,
and the language-independence characteristics.
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 6
1. GENERAL FRAMEWORK 7 1.1. GENERAL SERVICE DESCRIPTION 7 1.2.
CONTRIBUTION TO EASYWAY OBJECTIVES 8 1.3. STATE-OF-THE-ART 8
2. TECHNICAL ISSUES 14 2.1. EUROPEAN DIMENSION 14 2.2.
FUNCTIONAL AND INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE 14 2.3. REQUIRED ICT
INFRASTRUCTURE 15 2.4. STANDARD AND AGREEMENTS: EXISTING AND
REQUIRED 15 2.5. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS 16
3. SERVICE PROVISION 17 3.1. SERVICE LEVEL DEFINITION 17 3.2.
CONDITIONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SERVICE: OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
19 3.3. INTERACTION WITH OTHER SERVICES 20 3.4. CONDITIONS FOR
SERVICE PROVISION BUSINESS MODEL 20
4. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: TIMETABLE, ACTIVITIES AND RESO URCE NEED
21
5. APPENDIX 1: STATE OF THE ART 22 5.1. TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
WEBSITE AUTOBAHN .NRW 22 5.2. TRAFFIC RADIO IN ENGLAND 22 5.3. VMS
WITH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS INFORMATION ON THE MUNICH MOTORWAY RING 23
5.4. AUDIOTEX IN FRANCE 23
6. APPENDIX 2: BIBLIOGRAPHY 25
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List of figures and tables Figure 1: VMS on the A10 near Madrid
in Spain 9
Figure 2: VMS on the A3 near Frankfurt am Main in Hessen
(Germany) 9
Figure 3: Website "bayerninfo.de": predictive and real-time
traffic situation in Bavaria, with integrated road works- and
weather information 10
Figure 4: Website "www.trafficengland.com" of the Highways
Agency 10
Figure 5: Mobile device with traffic condition information
service wap.sytadin.gouv.fr 11
Figure 6: Traffic radio in France 12
Figure 7: Traffic radio in Dublin, Ireland 12
Figure 8: Traffic information via videotext of the German
broadcaster WDR 12
Figure 9: Traffic Information via television on France 2 12
Figure 10: Diagram of the information flow 14
Figure 11:Website "www.autobahn.nrw.de" of the road authority of
North Rhine-Westphalia 22
Figure 12:Traffic radio in England operated by the Highways
Agency 23
Figure 13:VMS on the Munich ring road 23
Figure 14:Logo of the website and phone service Bison Fut 24
Table 1: Possible application of the different channels
..................................................................
13
Table 2: General Criteria for Levels of Service
..............................................................................
17
Table 3: General Criteria for Levels of Quality
...............................................................................
18
Table 4: Conditions for Deployment, the operating environment
................................................... 19
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List of Abbreviations
ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition
C2C Car-to-car communication
C2I Car-to-infrastructure communication
CCTV Closed-circuit Television
CEN European Committee for Standardization (Comite Europen de
Normalisation)
CO2 Carbon dioxide
DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting
DG Deployment Guideline
DG INFSO Directorate-General for Information Society and
Media
DG TREN Directorate-Genral for Energy and Transport
EC European Commission
E-FRAME Extended project of the forerunner project FRAME
ESG Expert and Study Group
FM Frequenz Modulation (FM broadcast band)
FRAME Framework Architecture Made for Europe (supported project
by EC DG INFSO)
ICT Information and Communication Tecnologies
ISO International Organisation for Standardization
ITS Intelligent Transportation System
MOBINET Mobilitt in Ballungsrumen (Mobility in Conurbations -
German research project in the area of Munich)
OLSIM Online Simulation (new Generation of Traffic Information
Systems)
PDA Personal Digital Assistent
QUANTIS Quality Assessment and Assuranve Methodology for Traffic
Data and Information Services (supported project by EC DG TREN)
RDS-TMC Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel
simTD Safe and Intelligent Mobility Test Field Germany (German
research project)
TERN Trans European Road Network
TPEG Transport Protocol Experts Group
TIS Traveller Information Services
TV Television
VMS Variable Message Signs
WAP Wireless Application Protocol
WDR Westdeutscher Rundfunk (West German Broadcasting)
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1. General Framework 1.1. General Service Description
The service includes pre-trip as well as on-trip real-time and
predictive information on the road traffic conditions for a
specific network. The intent is to assist drivers and travellers to
use the traffic network in a more efficient and safer way. This is
done by changing or influencing routes or modes, e.g. to minimize
the impacts of traffic congestion on peoples journey and thus to
reduce travel time.
The aim of the service is to:
inform the driver / traveller about the current traffic
conditions in order to support him finding the best way to
travel,
provide the traveller with a pre-trip forecast of information
about the potential road traffic conditions for a specific road
network at a point in time to be selected by the traveller,
inform the driver / traveller well that he can travel in a more
calmer and safer way.
Relevant information for this service is e.g.:
status of the current traffic situation
current changes in the traffic conditions
congestion
Further information which are relevant and affects the traffic
conditions will be described by the other TIS Deployment Guidelines
(DG), e. g. road blockings will be tackled by the Deployment
Guideline for event and warning information.
The service is dedicated to the driver / traveller and may
include common information as well as personalised (individual)
information. The information provision can follow pre-defined
strategies or management plans which are in operation of the road
authorities or management centres.
A main focus of this deployment guideline is the Internet-based
pre-trip and on-trip traffic information on dynamic maps, with road
sections coloured according to defined categories of Level of
Service. This type of display gives the traveller an instant and
language independent picture of the current traffic situation.
In addition, national, regional or local broadcasters may also
provide traffic forecasts to mass audiences. Through the
exploitation of smart and SMS based mobile phone technologies a
personalised (individual) service can be provided.
Further examples for carriers are:
mobile devices (e.g. personalized real-time traffic conditions
information)
RDS-TMC / TPEG radios (common real-time traffic conditions
information)
conventional traffic radio (common real-time traffic conditions
information)
VMS traffic condition information, e. g. on congestion on the
network (roadside traffic conditions information)
Relevant complementary information is:
on the causes and durations of traffic disturbances, e.g.
incidents, accidents, weather or events such as construction
sites
on the consequences on traffic conditions, e.g. delays
recommendation of alternatives (e.g. re-routing or modal
shift)
historic traffic information used for predicting traffic
flows
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This relevant complementary information is not content of the
current Deployment Guideline and will be covered by other DG.
This document is part Bii and a supporting guideline of the main
document Guidelines for Traveller Information Core European Service
- Summary Document.
1.2. Contribution to EasyWay Objectives
A detailed description of the contribution to the EasyWay
objectives of all TIS core services is provided in table 1 of the
Guidelines for Traveller Information Services Summary (DG01). The
contribution of this guideline has a real strong and direct impact
and relationship to altering departure times and decisions to
travel, and to more effective routing decisions. The particular
contribution of Traffic Condition Information Services is described
below.
1.2.1. SAFETY
Information about the traffic conditions has an impact on road
safety. Due to the provision of predictive and real-time
information to the drivers / travellers, they can react to find the
best way to travel and to bypass critical road segments / areas of
the network, respectively. Drivers / travellers who are well
informed about the traffic condition decrease the risk of
accidents.
1.2.2. NETWORK EFFICIENCY
With predictive and real-time information about the traffic
condition the network efficiency can be influenced positively. The
information can be used for recommendations so that the traffic
load can be diverted inside the road network or shift to public
transport.
1.2.3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The provision of information can help to reduce congestions
length, to harmonise traffic flow and to reduce disturbances in the
whole road network. This helps to reduce negative effects of
traffic on the environment, e.g. to decrease the CO2 emission.
1.3. State-of-the-Art
Information concerning traffic conditions being / will be
provided to end-users in different ways. They will be given by the
following channels:
Roadside guidance systems (e.g. VMS)
Internet portals
Navigation systems
Mobile devices (e.g. mobile phones, PDAs)
RDS-TMC / TPEG
Radio
Videotext
The named channels are described in detail in the following
sections and best practices are presented in Appendix 1. These
examples do not represent the state of the art all over Europe.
They are provided by Easyway Partners, in order to show examples of
realised solutions.
There are various European services in operation which can be
distinguished according to the information providers, i.e.:
Public / private road authorities / operators
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Broadcasters
Other Private service providers
The named channels can be differentiated between those who give
collective information and those who offer individualized
information. Most of the collective channels as e.g. road side
displays, radio or videotext are exclusively in the responsibility
of road operators, traffic information internet services can be
provided by private partners, too. To offer a high-quality
individualized information, (e.g. through mobile devices or
navigation systems) the co-operation with private commercial
partners is mandatory. Therefore a strong co-operation between
EASYWAY and TISA-Traveller Information Services Association in all
aspects of traffic information is highly recommended to openly
discuss new requirements, creating and maintaining a market focus
and ensuring one consistent set of standards and information
content for the future.
1.3.1. ROADSIDE GUIDANCE SYSTEMS
Roadside guidance systems are installed on the motorways and
will be operated by the road authorities or the private motorway
companies. The systems consist of VMS or dynamic signage with
predefined content. The systems display directional information,
diversion information but also information about the traffic
conditions incl. travel-time, warnings and weather conditions. Due
to the installation on the road the service is usable only
on-trip.
Figure 1: VMS on the A10 near Madrid in Spain
Figure 2: VMS on the A3 near Frankfurt am Main in Hessen
(Germany)
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1.3.2. INTERNET PORTALS
Internet portals will be operated by road authorities, private
motorway companies or service providers (e.g. public or private
broadcasters). The information which they provide is about
warnings, weather conditions or traffic conditions. Due to the
necessary equipment (Internet access) the service is mainly used as
pre-trip service. In general the service is common but some
services provide personalised information. The language of the
service depends on the provider but can easily be provided language
independent.
The information on Internet portals will be shown on maps, as
text or as images from roadside CCTVs.
Figure 3: Website "bayerninfo.de": predictive and real-time
traffic situation in Bavaria, with integrated road works- and
weather information
Figure 4: Website "www.trafficengland.com" of the Highways
Agency
1.3.3. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Navigation systems provide routing information to the chosen
destination. The system uses static or dynamic information to reach
the destination. The dynamic information can be provided via
RDS-TMC or TPEG. With the provided dynamic information a flexible
routing is possible and takes into account the current traffic
condition, routing information and warnings. The service can be
given to the driver via voice announcements, graphical display or a
combination of both. The information can only be used on-trip and
is language independent.
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1.3.4. MOBILE DEVICES
Information which can be called with mobile phones by the
drivers / travellers will be provided by radio broadcasters or
private service providers. The coverage of the different services
is Europe-wide. Due to the determination of the geographical
position via the mobile device the information can be provided
personalised but also common. It can be given via Short Message
Service, voice announcements or wap-enabled services, which depends
on the provider. Furthermore web-enable devices can also recall
specific web-based traffic information. The information which will
be provided is about the traffic condition, warnings and weather
conditions. The service is used as pre-trip as well as on-trip
information. Due to safety reasons the national regulations of the
use of mobile phones while driving has to be taken into
account.
Figure 5: Mobile device with traffic condition information
service wap.sytadin.gouv.fr
Both, navigation systems as well as mobile devices have the
great advantage that they can give individualized information and
restrictions (e.g. vehicle-type-based speed limits).
1.3.5. RDS-TMC / TPEG / DATEX II
RDS-TMCi
RDS-TMC is a specific application of FM RDS used for
broadcasting real-time traffic and weather information. Data
messages are received silently and decoded by a TMC-equipped
navigation system or radio and offering dynamic route guidance. The
data is language independent and can be used as pre-trip or on-trip
information service. RDS-TMC is a global standard and covers a
large percentage of the TERN. Many parts of the TERN have no
RDS-TMC coverage, however this could be provided at any time by
commercial entities without market intervention by the State, or by
the State if considered appropriate. The referencing based on the
country-specific location code lists for the strategic European
road network.
TPEGii
TPEG is a standardised world-wide technology which delivers all
types of traffic and travel information content by different
channels, e.g. digital Radio (DAB), Internet. It is language
independent and can be used as on-trip or pre-trip information. The
TPEG applications use a common location referencing method for all
devices presenting text or icons on a map display.
DATEX IIiii
DATEX was developed for information exchange between traffic
management centres, traffic information centres and service
providers. The standard is language independent and will be used by
different partners all over Europe. The second generation of the
DATEX specification can also be
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used by all actors in the traffic and travel information sector.
DATEX II is intended to become a multi-part technical
specification, maintained by CEN.
1.3.6. RADIO
Common radio broadcasters or special traffic radio broadcasters
(e. g. 107,7 FM in France) are available all over Europe. They give
traffic condition information, warning information and weather
information to the drivers. This information is common and not
personalised to the specific drivers, but can be tailored to a
specific area or region. The character and the mass of information
depend on each broadcaster. The information is in general not
language independent and is normally an on-trip service but can
also be used as pre-trip service. Broadcasters can be public or
private bodies.
Figure 6: Traffic radio in France
Figure 7: Traffic radio in Dublin, Ireland
1.3.7. VIDEOTEXT
Videotext will be provided in parallel to the TV programme. The
broadcasting stations provide relevant traffic information (e.g.
traffic conditions, warnings, regional traffic information of
conurbations). The use of videotext is only a pre-trip service and
usually not language independent.
Figure 8: Traffic information via videotext of the German
broadcaster WDR
1.3.8. TELEVISION
Some broadcasters in Europe provide special services on TV
concerning the publication of traffic conditions. Particularly
during the morning peak hours or in the case of poor weather
conditions, large events or significant travel disruption. This
service is not language independent and only a pre-trip service.
The service on TV will be shown on maps, as texts, or on CCTV live
streams.
Figure 9: Traffic Information via television on France 2
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1.3.9. PROS AND CONS OF THE DIFFERENT CHANNELS
The table below shows the different information channels with
the reference to some attributes.
Table 1: Possible application of the different channels
Roa
dsid
e G
uida
nce
Sys
tem
Inte
rnet
Por
tals
Nav
igat
ion
Sys
tem
s
Mob
ile D
evic
es
RD
S-T
MC
TP
EG
DA
TE
X
Rad
io
Vid
eote
xt
Tel
evis
ion
Pre-trip use n y n y y y y y y y
On-trip use y n y y y y y y n n
Language independent y/n y y y y y y n n n
Information flow via third parties n y/n y y/n y/n y/n y/n y/n y
y
Key: y yes, n no, y/n yes as well as no
See Appendix 1 for detailed best practices.
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2. Technical Issues 2.1. European Dimension
Improved information in terms of contents, quality, efficiency
and comprehensibility contributes to EasyWayiv objectives in terms
of mobility and safety.
Provision of information by means of pictograms or colours on a
digital map tends to be language independent, but the pictograms
and colours are not uniform at present. Complementary information
(spoken or text) requires translation and provision in different
languages.
This service directly enables the cross-border traveller to make
informed decisions. It is likely that this service would have an
appeal to those making long unfamiliar journeys and provides them
with improved information in a predominantly language independent
format.
2.2. Functional and Information Architecture
For the TIS services a uniform functional and information
architecture is defined, which is shown in the Summary Document
(DG01) of the Guidelines for Traveller Information Core European
Services but a sub-guideline description of the functional and
information architecture is described below.
trafficmonitoringsystems
server
database ofhistoric data
radio
Internet
VMS
RDS-TMC / TPEG
service provider
value added services
mobiledevices
videotext
navigation system
Data collection Data processing Information provision
end-user
Information reception
television
database ofinfo management
strategies
Figure 10: Diagram of the information flow
The collection of data is carried out by different systems and
by different partners, private as well as public bodies. Historic
data can also be required to generate traffic situation
predictions. All data must be based on a consistent and geographic
reference model. The geographical basis should be left to the
operator to define. On content platforms data from different
sources is merged and aggregated. The provision to the driver /
traveller is carried out by road authorities, private motorway
companies, private service providers or broadcasters via different
information carriers. These depend on the different application
case / European country. When providing a customer oriented
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traffic condition information service the users' benefit can be
increased by providing a warning and general traffic information,
which can be collected and verified by private or public
bodies.
Within Europe different methodologies are available to aggregate
the real-time and predictive traffic condition information. These
methodologies are not covered by the present guideline. Content of
this guideline is only data issue which will be supplied to content
providers (private or public) by the data provider.
The EC funded project E-FRAMEv (following project of the FRAME
project) studies ITS architecture in Europe and is a platform to
provide advice and guidance for knowledge exchange and
standardisation actions in the field of system architectures (more
information can be found on project website).
2.3. Required ICT Infrastructure
The required ICT infrastructure for the traveller information
core European services is described within the Summary Document
(DG01) of the Guidelines for Traveller Information Core European
Services due to the fact that the items data collection, data
fusion and processing and data quality are generally the same for
all sub-guidelines.
All items concerning data collection for reliable and accuracy
traffic condition information are deployed and governed by the ICT
Expert and Study Group. It is recommended that data collection
processes / systems should ensure the following is possible:
Point measurements (e. g. loops, radar)
Trajectory measurements (e. g. ANPR)
Floating Car Data systems
The methodologies and calculation algorithms for the data fusion
and processing for a traffic condition model will not be covered by
this deployment guideline. They depend amongst others on the data
collection system. The main data which are needed for the
calculation of the traffic condition are traffic volume, speed and
the road features.
The provision of the information to the driver / traveller (on
trip) has to be done via end user terminals or roadside guidance
systems. In-car systems (end user terminals) offer the advantage
that they can inform about vehicle-type based speed limits or other
vehicle-type based restrictions (see Guideline for speed limit
information DG05). A few available channels are named in the
chapter 1.3 (State of the art).
2.4. Standard and Agreements: Existing and Required
The standards and agreements for the traveller information core
European services are described within the Summary Document (DG01)
of the Guidelines for Traveller Information Core European Services
due to the fact that these items are in generally the same for all
sub-guidelines. Also the liability and control of information to
external parties is an important issue which should be taken into
account. Due to the different standards and regulations in the
European countries a uniform agreement for Europe is currently not
available. An overview of information services is also part of the
EU-funded eMOTIONvi project. The overall aim of the project is to
define and validate the framework conditions of real-time
information to road and public transport users, dynamic routing
services and additional travel-related services.
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2.5. Need for Additional Specifications
For the sub-guideline about traffic conditions no additional
specifications are currently needed.
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3. Service Provision 3.1. Service Level Definition
Accurate, reliable, high-quality traffic data is a prerequisite
for implementing high-quality traffic information services
achieving good user response and gaining considerable benefits in
traffic throughput, safety, environment and economic
efficiency.
The QUANTIS project, supported by EC Directorate-General for
Energy and Transport, is developing a methodology to evaluate and
optimise data and service levels in terms of quality and costs in
order to foster cross border data exchange and service provision
according to European policy objectives. This methodology is
therefore advised to be used in terms of data quality.
More information can be found on website of QUANTISvii.
Nevertheless the tables below display general criteria for Level
of Service (Table 1) and Level of Quality (Table 2). It should be
noted that there is no hierarchy between these criteria.
The Levels of Service (LoS) definition of Traffic Condition
Information services follows the general Levels of Service
definition of TIS services (see DG01). It is based on core criteria
defined in DG01: User Interface, Neighbouring Provision, Local and
Secondary Network Information, Level of Detail (Location
reference).
LEVELS OF SERVICE TABLE : TRAFFIC CONDITION INFORMATION SERVICES
Criteria Level 0 Level 1 Level 2
User interface
One fixed language
Data available is capable of being provided in a common and
shared language (English).
Data available is capable of being provided independent of
language
Neighbouring Provision
No information exchange
Information exchange to neighbouring only
Neighbouring and beyond Information Provider exchange
Local and secondary Network Information
None Travel Information for key routes
Relevant travel information beyond key routes can be
provided
Level of Detail (Location Reference)
None Route specific segments (between 2 junctions)
Road segment specific (approx 1 km)
Static / Dynamic X X X
Legends:
See DG01 for core criteria definitions (User Interface,
Neighbouring Provision, Local and Secondary Network
Information, and Level of Detail) .
Static/Dynamic: Not yet integrated at this stage for Traffic
Condition Information Levels of Service estimation but should
be
added in future versions.
Table 2: General Criteria for Levels of Service
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The Table 3: General Criteria for Levels of Quality reflects the
requirements of the data quality which are needed for the traffic
conditions information. Due to the different systems and
specifications all over Europe the table currently mentions no
concrete figures. This table is not end-user oriented as the Table
2: General Criteria for Levels of Service. The definitions of the
below-mentioned table are according to the ISO/PDTR 21707viii
standard.
LEVELS OF QUALITY TABLE : TRAFFIC CONDITIONS INFORMATION
SERVICES Criteria Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Accessibility Only on hotspots On main routes where problems
often occur On all routes
Availability Not guaranteed Guaranteed to a minimum level
Guaranteed to a medium level
Guaranteed all the time
Timeliness Not guaranteed 30 min 15 min 15 min 1 min around 10
s
Update frequency
Only on an irregular basis
On a regular basis As frequent as
currently possible
Quality Assurance No regulation
Either input or output (partial
check)
Service chain check (full)
Information Quality
Assurance
Cross Verified Not defined
Data from one or more sources
reliability not confirmed
Data from one or more sources
reliability confirmed
Collaboration from more than
one source (data fusion) reliability confirmed
Accuracy X X X X
Service Grade Not guaranteed Guaranteed to a
time interval In real time
Forecast Horizon
Only current situation
Current situation and short time
prediction
Current situation and short as well
as long time prediction
Legends:
SeeDG01 for core criteria definitions (Accessibility,
Availability, Timeliness, Update Frequency, Quality Assurance, Cr
oss
Verified and Accuracy).
Accuracy: An important additional core data quality parameter,
not yet integrated for Traffic condition Information Levels of
Service
estimation.
Service Grade: A specific traffic condition data quality
criterion, in which the service is guaranteed.
Forecast Horizon: A specific traffic condition data quality
criterion, which defines the prediction time for the service. Table
3: General Criteria for Levels of Quality
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It is recommended that users of these guidelines endeavour to
implement traveller information which advance the levels of data
and levels of service levels for those criteria shown in Tables 2
and 3.
3.2. Conditions for the deployment of the Service: Operating
environment
The operating environments mean a simple categorisation of roads
that can be simply utilised and should be easily understood. The
quality and properties of a European service vary according to the
properties of the operating environment. The following table shows,
in which operating environment (according to the document Operating
Environments for EasyWay Services Version 1.01 22 December 2009)
the service Traffic Conditions Information (Predictive and Real
Time) is recommended to be provided.
Description Key factors OpEnv code
critical or black spots
local flow-related traffic and/or critical safety problems
C1
motorway ( link) flow-related traffic problems, no critical
safety problems
T3
motorway ( link) flow-related traffic problems, critical safety
problems T4
two-lane road (link)
flow-related problems, no critical safety problems R3
two-lane road (link)
flow-related problems, critical safety problems R4
three-/four lane road (link)
seasonal or daily flow-related problems, no critical safety
problems
R7
three-/four lane road (link)
seosonal or daily flow-related problems, critical safety
problems
R8
Motorway corridor/network
seasonal flow-related problems, possibly critical safety
problems
S1
Motorway corridor/network
daily flow-related problems, possibly critical safety
problems
S2
Road corridor/network
seasonal flow-related problems, possibly critical safety
problems
N1
Road corridor/network
daily flow-related problems, possibly critical safety
problems
N2
Peri-urban motorway or road interfacing urban environment
daily flow-related problems, possibly critical safety
problems
P1
Table 4: Conditions for Deployment, the operating
environment
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3.3. Interaction with other Services
The core service of traffic conditions must interact with the
other core services of the Expert and Study Group TIS as well as to
actions of the other Expert and Studies Groups and initiatives of
EasyWay. Furthermore the issues of the ITS Action plan has to be
taken into account. A detailed description of the interaction with
other services is described in the DG01 Summary Document of the
Guidelines for Traveller Information Core European Services.
The most relevant interactions and strong relationships with
other services regarding this guideline are:
EasyWay ESG 1 Europe Wide Traveller Information Continuity and
Co-modality
o Guideline DG02 Event Information
o Guideline DG05 Travel Time Information
o Guideline DG07 Co-modal Travel information
EasyWay ESG 2 Traffic Management
o Core Service 1 Management of Sensitive Road Segments
o Core Service 3 Incident Management
EasyWay ESG 4 Connected ICT Infrastructure
EasyWay ESG 5 DATEX II
Further relationships existing to the following other expert and
study groups:
EasyWay ESG 3 Freight & Logistics Services
o Core Service 2 Strategic Traffic management on corridors and
networks
3.4. Conditions for Service Provision Business Mo del
Due to the different organisational structures and
responsibilities in European countries about traveller information
and the fact that not only one core service is normally provided by
an organisation the chapter conditions for service provision will
be described in more detail in the dg& Summary Document of the
Guidelines for Traveller Information Core European Services.
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4. Implementation Plan: Timetable, Activities and R esource Need
The chapter implementation plan will cover statements regarding the
topics
the vision for the future,
overview of foreseen developments,
implementation organisation for EasyWay,
activities and timetable, and
timetable and resource need.
This chapter will not be described in the individual
sub-guideline but in the Summary Document (DG01) of the Guidelines
for Traveller Information Core European Services in more
detail.
Nevertheless future developments will be done in terms of
traffic conditions information services. The data collection as
well as the information provision will be more influenced by
providing data from car-to-car (C2C) and car-to-infrastructure
(C2I) implementations. First pilots are in progress in different
countries and regions within Europe. One example for a future
development is the German project simTDix. It is a research project
shaping tomorrows safe and intelligent mobility through researching
and testing car-to-X communication and its applications. The
project started in September 2008 and will run for four years.
simTD will put the results of previous research projects into
practice. For this purpose realistic traffic scenarios will be
addressed in a large-scale test field infrastructure around the
Hessian city of Frankfurt am Main. Numerous automotive and
telecommunication companies, the Hessian state government and
renowned universities and research institutions have partnered up.
The Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology, the Ministry for
Education and Research as well as the Ministry for Transport,
Building and Urban Affairs are funding and supporting the
project.
The findings of this and other pilots will in due course
influence the development of this Deployment Guideline and
Predictive and Real Time Traffic Condition Information in general
across Europe.
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5. Appendix 1: State of the Art
The following examples are an overview from a lot of projects /
implementations available from all over Europe. They represent the
different media channels of the provision of traffic conditions
information to the end-user. These examples do not represent an
exhaustive state of the art all over Europe. They are provided by
Easyway Partners, in order to show examples of realised
solutions.
5.1. Traffic Conditions Website autobahn.NRW x
The German Federal Land North Rhine-Westphalia has implemented a
website in co-operation with the University of Duisburg-Essen which
provides the current traffic situation and forecasts. The website
is visited by more than 100,000 users each day and on days with
special weather conditions by up to 300,000 users.
Figure 11: Website "www.autobahn.nrw.de" of the road authority
of North Rhine-Westphalia
The simulation algorithm OLSIM (Online Simulation) was developed
in order to reproduce the current situation and to forecast the
future for the whole motorway network of North Rhine-Westphalia.
OLSIM is based on a cellular automaton modal for freeway traffic
and needs for its operation online and historical data. The model
is a quite simple approach and therefore very robust and reliable.
The website provides forecasts for 30 min, 60 min, and long-term
prognosis as well as information about the current situation. More
information is available on the website www.autobahn.nrw.de.
This website provides amongst others a high level of quality in
terms of coverage, forecast horizon, and availability.
5.2. Traffic Radio in England xi
Traffic Radio is a regionalised England-wide traffic information
service and covers the motorways, trunk road network and Londons
main road network. It was launched in July 2007. The service is
available 24 hours a day, and every day of the year. The
Information will be provided direct from the Highways Agencys
National Traffic Centre and the Transport for Londons Traffic
Control Centres.
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Traffic bulletins are updated every ten minutes at peak hours
and every 20 minutes at other times. The radio service can be
listen via DAB Digital Radio, computer, or on compatible mobile
devices.
Figure 12: Traffic radio in England operated by the Highways
Agency
Traffic Radio provides
o National traffic headlines
o Regional traffic information, depending on where you are in
the country
o Road works information
o Infomercials (for example explaining the Highways Agency
Traffic Officer service, safety advice and tips about planning your
journey)
The radio service was developed by the Highways Agency and is
working together with Transport for London. The service will be
produced from a wide range of sources which provides reliable and
accurate information.
The provision of accurate and reliable information from
different sources means Traffic Radio provides a high level service
in terms of quality.
More information is available on the website
www.trafficradio.org.uk
5.3. VMS with traffic conditions information on the Munich
motorway ring xii
On the accessing motorways to middle ring road of Munich VMS
were installed to show the traffic condition on the ring road. The
information helps the driver to find the fastest and easiest way to
the destination via the rind road. The signs were installed in
2003. The red colour indicates congestions and the red-black
segments indicate stop-and-go traffic.
More information is available via the MOBINET information office
(www.mobinet.de)
The VMS provides a high level of quality in terms of timeliness
and availability.
Figure 13: VMS on the Munich ring road
5.4. Audiotex in France xiii
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French Ministry provides a 24/7 free phone service about the
road and motorway conditions throughout France. Audiotex is part of
the Bison Fut service. The key objective is to provide as many
drivers as possible information in real-time. The provided
information consist of roadworks, accidents, events, weather
conditions, congestions, disruptions and diversions which is coming
amongst others from the Gendarmerie, the Police, the road
infrastructure, and the private motorway companies. Beside the
phone service the website www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr is in
operation which provides further traffic related information for
France.
Figure 14: Logo of the website and phone service Bison Fut
The information is checked, analysed and then passed on to the
Bison Fut network, comprising the national centre for traffic
information and seven regional traffic co-ordination and
information centres covered all France.
The availability and reliability of this phone service leads to
a high level of quality.
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6. Appendix 2: Bibliography i www.tisa.org/en/technologies/ ii
www.tisa.org/en/technologies/ iii www.datex2.eu iv
www.easyway-its.eu v www.frame-online.net vi www.emotion-project.eu
vii www.quantis-project.eu viii Draft ISO/PDTR 21707 Intelligent
Transport Systems Integrated Transport Information, Management and
Control Data Quality in ITS Systems, 30. March 2007 ix www.simTD.de
x CENTRICO Award Winners and Nominees Brochure, 2006 xi
www.trafficradio.org.uk/ xii
www.mobinet.de/services/s_press_info.html xiii
www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/en/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=49
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