Intelligent Transport System (ITS)

1.0 ABSTRACT

Today, many cities in the world are facing serious land transport challenges.
Increasing traffic congestion has brought with it environmental, social and economic
implications. With the proportion of the world’s population residing in urban areas
projected to increase to more than two-thirds over the next 20 years or so, and with
rising car ownership, more cities will find themselves facing the potentially crippling
problems of traffic congestion. Many major cities in Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur,
Penang, Johor Bahru and others are currently facing serious transport problems as
other big cities of the world.

Traffic congestion remains one of the biggest problems in urban areas. Congestion
can be easily recognized: roads filled with cars, trucks, buses, sidewalks filled with
pedestrians. Congestion results from various sources on the road system. The
interaction between these multiple sources is complex and varies greatly from day-
to-day and road-to-road. The sources of congestion also produce another effect:
variability in travel time. The latter is defined in terms of how travel times vary over
time e.g. hour-to-hour, day-to-day. The increasing demand for travel by highway
and public transit is causing the transportation system to reach the limits of its
existing capacity. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can help ease this strain
through the application of modern information technology and communications.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Transportation System is a complex, large scale, and integrated open system. It is
complex because it involves multi stake-holders and comprises of different
infrastructure facilities as well as multi modes operating in different spectrum of
regulating environment. It is an integrated open system because it allows the
addition of unlimited and different sub-systems into its operating space. All these
sub systems are inter-related and loosely ‘integrated’, not in a positive sense but, in a
situation that they are mutually affecting one another. It is no longer acceptable for a
transportation agency to develop a system without worrying about interfaces with
other functions (police, toll concessionaires, public transport operators, traffic signal
systems operators i.e., local authorities). Many stakeholders are involved in this nest

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of interdependencies and additional stakeholders are being created by proactive

citizens groups with interests in safety, the environment, handicapped, and
specialized transportation services. A good example is the transportation system in
Klang Valley where there are numerous multi-stakeholders operating a variety of
transportation system infrastructure facilities

Interest in ITS comes from the problems caused by traffic congestion worldwide and
a synergy of new information technologies for simulation, real-time control and
communications networks. Traffic congestion has been increasing world-wide as a
result of increased motorization, urbanization, population growth and changes in
population density. Congestion reduces efficiency of transportation infrastructure
and increases travel time, air pollution and fuel consumption.

The goal of ITS is to improve the transportation system to make it more effective,
efficient, and safe. Building new transportation infrastructure is expensive and can
be detrimental to the environment. In most urban areas where more capacity is
needed, it is becoming physically impossible to build enough new roads or new
lanes to meet transportation demand. By applying the latest technological advances
to our transportation system, ITS can help meet increasing demand for
transportation by improving the quality, safety, and effective capacity of our existing
infrastructure. ITS represents a wide collection of applications, from advanced traffic
signal control systems, to electronic transit fare payment systems, to ramp meters, to
collision warning systems. In order to apply ITS services most effectively, it is
important to understand their benefits and costs. Some applications provide more
cost-effective benefits than others, and as technology evolve, the choices available
change. Often, several technologies are combined in a single integrated system,
providing a higher level of benefits than any single technology. The costs of these
technology investments not only the first-time, initial costs, but the costs to operate
and maintain them are of interest to transportation agencies

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2.1 Definition of Intelligent Transport System (ITS)

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) encompasses the application of technology
such as communication systems, computers, electronics, and information
technology to improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation
network.

ITS is utilizing synergistic technologies and system engineering concepts to

develop and improve transportation systems of all kinds.

The term ITS refers to efforts to add information and communications

technology to transport infrastructure and vehicles in an effort to manage
factors that typically are at odds with each other, such as vehicles, loads, and
routes to improve safety and reduce vehicle wear, transportation times and
fuel consumption.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have been defined as: 'the

application of advanced sensor, computer, electronics, and communication
technologies and management strategies—in an integrated manner—to
improve the safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system'

As defined by the United States Department of Transportation, Intelligent

Transportation Systems (ITS) apply “well-established technologies in
communications, control, electronics and computer hardware and software to
improve surface transportation system performance.”3 Central to most ITS
activities are four categories of technologies:

1. Sensing – the ability to note the position and speed of vehicles

using the infrastructure (e.g. rail lines, roadways, bridges,
tunnels);

2. Communicating – the ability to send and receive information,

between vehicles, between vehicles and infrastructure, and

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between infrastructure and centralized transportation operations

and management centers;
3. Computing – the ability to process large amounts of data collected
and communicated so that conclusions can be drawn and
assessments made; and,

4. Algorithms – computer programs which process information

gathered by ITS and develop operating strategies for
transportation facilities.

3.0 MAIN COMPONENT OF ITS

3.1 Safety
ITS can help to reduce injuries and save lives, time and money by making
transport safer, help the driver of trucks, busses, and cars avoid getting into
crashes and help keep them from running off the road, maintain safe distance
between vehicles and safe speeds approaching danger spots, improving
visibility for driver, especially at night and in bad weather and also providing
information about the work zones, traffic congestion, road conditions,
pedestrian crossings and other potential hazards.

ITS can detect the crashes that do occur, determine the severity of the crash
and likely injuries, and help emergency management services provide
assistance. In addition, ITS also will help select the closest and most
appropriate rescue unit to respond and adjust traffic signal to clear the way
for emergency vehicles. The ITS will connect responding units to medical care
facilities to help provide initial care for the injured and help medical care
facilities prepare to deliver more complete treatment when injured people
arrive.

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3.2 Security
In security aspects, ITS will help prepare for prevent and respond to disaster
situations, whether from natural causes, human error or attacks. ITS will also
help to keep watch over transport facilities and help to provide personal
security for people using the public transport system. Moreover, the ITS will
monitor freight especially hazardous materials, through the entire supply
chain and help transport and safety/security agencies coordinate their
activities and their information so they can respond more effectively to
incidents of all kinds. ITS will help identify the best routes for evacuating
people at risk and directing emergency services to incidents and disaster
sites. The transport system and all the other parts of the economy that depend
on transport, to return to normal as rapidly possible following a crisis,
through better management of the transport system, more efficiency
interagency communications, better and more timely information to the
public with the ITS.

3.3 Efficiency/Economy
The ITS will save time and money for travelers and the freight industry,
because the ITS will deliver fast, accurate and complete travel information to
help travelers decide whether to make a trip, when to start, and what travel
modes to use. The ITS also will provide information that both prior to a trip
and as the trip proceeds. Drivers can select and follow safe, efficient routes to
their destination and paying tolls without having to stop with the ITS. ITS
will help freight move swiftly and reliably using the right combination of
ship, truck, train and plane and enabling its owners to know where it is at all
times and when it is due to arrive at its destinations and allowing for better
planning and scheduling of critical processes. ITS will enable more reliable
and timely commercial vehicle management. The ITS also will automatically
keep track of safety-related information about vehicle, its driver and its cargo
and also ITS will help to communicate this information to the authorities so
that, as appropriate, vehicles can be cleared through checkpoints without
stopping.

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3.4 Mobility and Access

ITS provide travel opportunities and traditional travel choices for more
people in more ways, whether they live, work and place regardless of age or
disability. Travelers can plan and take trips that use the best and more
convenient combination of travel modes such as private car, public transport,
passenger rail not to forget, walking and cycling too. Opportunities of new
employment and recreation can be opened with the ITS and make time travel
more productive. Travelers can get where they need to get regardless of age
or disability and regardless of where they live. Better information on
available services for travelers who choose not to drive including to those
who are mobility or sight impaired. ITS also will help make it easier to pay
for transport services. The future will include a single electronic payment
mechanism to pay for fuel, tolls, public transport fares, parking and a variety
of other charges. ITS will convey the needs and interest of transport system
customers to the people who manage the system customers to the people who
manage the system, helping to ensure a transport system that is responsive to
those needs and interests. Management of transport system for safer services
and simultaneously available for motorist, cyclists, pedestrians, and users of
public transport can be gained with ITS.

3.5 The Environment

ITS can help to make the transport faster and smoother, eliminates
unnecessary travel, and reduces time caught in traffic congestions. This is
because, the ITS will help to keep traffic flowing in urban freeways, on tolls
roads at commercial vehicle checkpoints and elsewhere. Reducing delays due
to congestions and incidents means that energy waste, wear and tear, and the
pollution caused by stop and go driving are also reduced. ITS will help
vehicles operate more efficiently. ITS will provide location specific
information about the whether and road conditions. Vehicles can anticipate
danger spots and hills and to smoothly adopt appropriate speeds.
Preparation of plan efficient routes and guiding the drivers along these routes
can be done with the ITS that help to reduce consumption and emissions.
Public transport can be more reliable, effective, attractive, providing better

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information on schedule and connections, and stay in touch with their

employers and their families while in transit.

3.6 A Transport System for All

ITS affects the way everyone lives, works and plays and its benefits will
increase in the future and helping to make transport services available and
affordable for everyone, getting people and goods to their destination safely
and efficiently. Customer satisfaction can be improved with transport and
help make it more environmentally friendly and more secure. People can
manage and operate the transport system to provide better, safer and more
responsive service to all its users while helping to safeguards the
environment. ITS has been demonstrating its value for over 10years and it is
now beginning to mature and meeting its promise to make real difference to
society as a whole.

4.0 THE BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING MITS

The benefits of implementing MITS is reduced lag and congestion, fair and efficient
treatment of traffic, increased safety, improved planning capability and maintenance
for
municipalities and overall improved traffic flow. MITS provides the ability to
monitor and control traffic light controllers from a control center. However, it was
designed such that individual traffic control is still contained at the intersection
controller allowing distributed intelligence to provide reliable operation even when
communication fails. The MITS control center workstation communicates with
controllers, detectors and signs passing control messages, generating control data,
collecting and analyzing responses from the controllers and analyzes fault
information. Among the main features of MITS are remote real time monitoring and
control, data collection, report generation and special features. Provides features
such as intersection operation status, current active phase, actual running green time,
alarm status, vehicle actuation mode, multiplan mode, online clock and date settings,
green wave link monitoring, police control and remote activation. Data collection

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provides features such as average green time with time stamping, fault logging data,
lamp failure detection, conflict detection, loop status, power failure and
communication failure. Report generation provides features such as current alarm
status report, historical alarm status report, average green time data, cycle time data,
green time vs transition time per cycle, traffic throughput efficiency graphs and
traffic study reports. The special features of the MITS provided are customized to
individual traffic layout interface, responsive local support, designed for maximum
technology transfer, continuous development opportunity, repetitive training
programs and remote online diagnostic

5.0 BENEFITS OF ITS INFRASTRUCTURE

5.1 Arterial Management Systems

Arterial management systems manage traffic along arterial roadways,
employing traffic detectors, traffic signals, and various means of
communicating information to travelers

5.2 Freeway Management Systems

Freeway management systems employ traffic detectors, surveillance cameras,
and other means of monitoring traffic flow on freeways to support the
implementation of traffic management strategies such as ramp meters, lane
closures, and variable speed limits (VSL).

5.3 Transit Management Systems

Transit ITS services include surveillance and communications, such as
automated vehicle location (AVL) systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD)
systems, and remote vehicle and facility surveillance cameras, which enable
transit agencies to improve the operational efficiency, safety, and security of
the nation's public transportation systems.

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5.4 Incident Management Systems

Incident management systems can reduce the effects of incident-related
congestion by decreasing the time to detect incidents, the time for responding
vehicles to arrive, and the time required for traffic to return to normal
conditions. Incident management systems make use of a variety of
surveillance technologies, often shared with freeway and arterial
management systems, as well as enhanced communications and other
technologies that facilitate coordinated response to incidents.

5.5 Emergency Management Systems

ITS applications in emergency management include hazardous materials
management, the deployment of emergency medical services, and large- and
small-scale emergency response and evacuation operations.

5.6 Electronic Payment Systems

Electronic payment systems employ various communication and electronic
technologies to facilitate commerce between travelers and transportation
agencies, typically for the purpose of paying tolls and transit fares.

5.7 Traveler Information

Traveler information applications use a variety of technologies, including
Internet websites, telephone hotlines, as well as television and radio, to allow
users to make more informed decisions regarding trip departures, routes, and
mode of travel. Ongoing implementation of the designated 511 telephone
number will improve access to traveler information across the country.

5.8 Information Management

ITS information management supports the archiving and retrieval of data
generated by other ITS applications and enables ITS applications that use
archived information. Decision support systems, predictive information, and
performance monitoring are some ITS applications enabled by ITS
information management. In addition, ITS information management systems
can assist in transportation planning, research, and safety management

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activities. As deployment of ITS information management matures,

quantitative information on the benefits of these systems should become
more readily available.

5.9 Crash Prevention & Safety

Crash prevention and safety systems make use of sensor technology and
active warning signs, including flashers, beacons, and dynamic message signs
(DMS), to warn drivers of dangerous curves, excessive speed on downhill
road segments, at-grade railroad crossings, and other dangerous conditions.

5.10 Roadway Operations & Maintenance

ITS applications in operations and maintenance focus on integrated
management of maintenance fleets, specialized service vehicles, hazardous
road conditions remediation, and work zone mobility and safety. These
applications monitor, analyze, and disseminate roadway and infrastructure
data for operational, maintenance, and managerial uses. ITS can help secure
the safety of workers and travelers in a work zone while facilitating traffic
flow through and around the construction area. This is often achieved
through the temporary deployment of other ITS services, such as elements of
traffic management and incident management programs.

5.11 Road Weather Management

Road weather management activities include road weather information
systems (RWIS), winter maintenance technologies, and coordination of
operations within and between state DOTs. ITS applications assist with the
monitoring and forecasting of roadway and atmospheric conditions,
dissemination of weather-related information to travelers, weather-related
traffic control measures such as variable speed limits, and both fixed and
mobile winter maintenance activities.

5.12 Commercial Vehicle Operations

ITS applications for commercial vehicle operations are designed to enhance
communication between motor carriers and regulatory agencies. Examples

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include electronic registration and permitting programs, electronic exchange

of inspection data between regulating agencies for better inspection targeting,
electronic screening systems, and several applications to assist operators with
fleet operations and security.

5.13 Intermodal Freight

ITS can facilitate the safe, efficient, secure, and seamless movement of freight.
Applications being deployed provide for tracking of freight and carrier assets
such as containers and chassis, and improve the efficiency of freight terminal
processes, drayage operations, and international border crossings.

5.14 Collision Warning System

To improve the ability of drivers to avoid accidents, vehicle-mounted
collision warning systems (CWS) continue to be tested and deployed. These
applications use a variety of sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings
and alert the driver of conditions that could lead to a collision. Examples
include forward collision warning, obstacle detection systems, and road
departure warning systems.

5.15 Driver Assistance Systems

Numerous intelligent vehicle technologies exist to assist the driver in
operating the vehicle safely. Systems are available to aid with navigation,
while others, such as vision enhancement and speed control systems, are
intended to facilitate safe driving during adverse conditions. Other systems
assist with difficult driving tasks such as transit and commercial vehicle
docking.

5.16 Collision Notification Systems

In an effort to improve response times and save lives, collision notification
systems have been designed to detect and report the location and severity of
incidents to agencies and services responsible for coordinating appropriate
emergency response actions. These systems can be activated manually
(Mayday), or automatically with automatic collision notification (ACN), and

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advanced systems may transmit information on the type of crash, number of

passengers, and the likelihood of injuries

6.0 BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTATION ITS IN URBAN AREAS

ITS provide a new set of tools for achieving urban local transport policies. These
systems provide services using modern computing and communications
technologies. The systems collect information about the current state of the transport
network, process that information, and either directly manage the network (e.g.
traffic signals), or allow people to decide how best to use the network (e.g. incident
detection, travel news). ITS systems have an important role to play in delivering
policy objectives, including tackling casualty reduction, traffic congestion and
pollution, as well as improving accessibility, providing integrated transport solutions
and making best use of existing infrastructure. They can deliver noticeable economic
benefits through reduced journey times and increased journey time reliability, as
well as improvements in safety and reductions in pollution. They increase the
economic viability and vitality of rural and urban areas alike, making them attractive
areas for future inward investment. The benefits of using ITS include:

• Making travel more efficient (safer, less polluting, cheaper, better informed
travel);

• Helping to achieve ‘Best Value’ within network management as a result of

greater information gathering and improved decision making;

• Simplifying public transport use by providing accurate real time information

about services;
• Reducing the effects of pollution from vehicles by better traffic management;

• Reducing the number of accidents by providing drivers with more

information about conditions on the roads they are using;

• Helping drivers find the best route to their destination, and changing that
route if major incidents occur on it;

• Improving the security of public transport passengers and staff by providing

extra communications,

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• CCTV and better information;

• Helping to monitor and evaluate network performance by automatically

collecting and analyzing data;
• Protecting vulnerable road users such as children and the disabled;
• Improving planning decisions by making more historic information available;
and

• Integrating different systems by providing a mechanism for sharing

information between systems and co-coordinating strategy across different
organizations.

An important benefit of ITS is that it can be developed/modified relatively easily.

ITS can be modified as situations or objectives change, which means that authorities
can adapt a system to a new environment at a relatively low cost, when compared to
modifying traditional infrastructure. Societal level benefits due to Travelers
Information Services will only accrue if a sufficient number of the general public uses
the service to modify their travel and hence reduce traffic congestion. However,
consumer-driven ITS technologies such as Travelers Information Services are more
likely to be affected by perceived consumer values than by any rigorous benefit-cost
analysis. The benefit-cost analyses are based on the standard monetary values society
assigns to these benefits. Whether or not these values reflect individual traveler’s
preferences is unclear. As a result, one cannot accurately forecast the consumer
response to the cost and benefits of in vehicle equipment and determine, with any
certainty, whether private benefits would be sufficient to induce vehicle owners to
equip themselves with Information Services. As only the level of public response will
determine whether the societal benefits due to Information Services are achieved
(i.e., congestion reduction with the attendant benefits of travel time savings, averted
or deferred infrastructure capital investments, reduced emissions, and decreased fuel
consumption), it is desirable that a campaign be conducted to increase public
awareness of these benefits.

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Refferences

Michigan Department of Transportation, MDOT ITS Strategic Plan: Intelligent

Transportation Systems, September 3, 2004

National Highway R&T Partnership, Highway Research And Technology: The Need
For Greater Investment, April 2002

Henry Peyrebrune and Allison L. C. de Cerreño, New York University, Security

Applications of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Reflections on
September 11 and Implications for New York State, July 2002

Ir. Dr Leong Siew Mun, Regional Architecture For Managing Transportation

System Infrastructure Resources In Klang Valley

Professor E. Matsoukis, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Patras, A

System To Reduce Congestion And Improve Travel Time Reliability-
Application In Patras, Greece

Associate Professor Dr. Hassim Bin Mat and Mr. Jamel Bin Ariffin, School Of
Housing, Building And Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Overall
Planning Towards Safety Urban Flow, September 2005

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Intelligent Transportation System,

en.wikepedia.org

United States Department of Transportation, Intelligent Transportation Systems

Benefits and Costs 2003 Update, May 2003, www.its.dot.gov

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