Advanced Traffic Management System
Encyclopedia
The Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) field is a primary subfield within the Intelligent Transportation System
(ITS) domain. The ATMS view is a top-down management perspective that integrates technology primarily to improve the flow of vehicle traffic and improve safety. Real-time traffic data from cameras, speed sensors, etc. flows into a Transportation Management Center (TMC) where it is integrated and processed (e.g. for incident detection), and may result in actions taken (e.g. traffic routing, DMS
messages) with the goal of improving traffic flow. The National ITS Architecture
defines the following primary goals and
metrics for ITS:
(Caltrans) in October 1986 to discuss technology applied to future advanced highways. In June 1988 in Washington, DC, the group formalized its structure and chose the name Mobility 2000. In 1990, Mobility 2000 morphed into ITS America
, the main ITS advocacy and policy group in the US. The initial name of ITS America was IVHS America and was changed in 1994
to reflect a broader intermodal perspective. The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
(ISTEA) was the first post-build-out transportation act. It initiated a new approach focused on efficiency, intelligence, and intermodalism. It had a primary goal of providing “the foundation for the nation to compete in the global economy”. This new mixture of infrastructure and technology was identified as an Intelligent Transportation System
(ITS) and was the centerpiece of the 1991 ISTEA act. ITS
is loosely defined as “the application of computers, communications, and sensor technology to surface transportation”. Subsequent surface transportation bills have continued ITS funding and development. In 2005 the SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) surface transportation spending bill was signed
into law.
Intelligent transportation system
The term intelligent transportation systems refers to information and communication technology that improve transport outcomes such as transport safety, transport productivity, travel reliability, informed travel choices, social equity, environmental performance and network operation...
(ITS) domain. The ATMS view is a top-down management perspective that integrates technology primarily to improve the flow of vehicle traffic and improve safety. Real-time traffic data from cameras, speed sensors, etc. flows into a Transportation Management Center (TMC) where it is integrated and processed (e.g. for incident detection), and may result in actions taken (e.g. traffic routing, DMS
DMS
DMS may refer to:* Degree-Minute-Second, a method of writing angles * DMS Derivatives Market Specialist, professional designation...
messages) with the goal of improving traffic flow. The National ITS Architecture
National ITS Architecture
The National ITS Architecture is a guideline of the United States Government, for future transportation systems. It was established in 1994 by the United States Department of Transportation. It was funded at a cost of $20 million. The main goal was the definition of a standard national...
defines the following primary goals and
metrics for ITS:
- Increase transportation system efficiency,
- Enhance mobility,
- Improve safety,
- Reduce fuel consumption and environmental cost,
- Increase economic productivity, and
- Create an environment for an ITS market.
ATMS History
In 1956, the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act initiated a 35-year $114 billion program that designed and constructed the Interstate highway system. This hugely successful program was mostly complete by 1991, and the era of build-out was over. In the mid to late 1980s transportation officials from Federal and State governments, the private sector, and universities began a series of informal meetings discussing the future of transportation. This included meetings held by the California Department of TransportationCalifornia Department of Transportation
The California Department of Transportation is a government department in the U.S. state of California. Its mission is to improve mobility across the state. It manages the state highway system and is actively involved with public transportation systems throughout the state...
(Caltrans) in October 1986 to discuss technology applied to future advanced highways. In June 1988 in Washington, DC, the group formalized its structure and chose the name Mobility 2000. In 1990, Mobility 2000 morphed into ITS America
ITS America
Intelligent Transportation Society of America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies in surface transportation systems...
, the main ITS advocacy and policy group in the US. The initial name of ITS America was IVHS America and was changed in 1994
to reflect a broader intermodal perspective. The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is a United States federal law that posed a major change to transportation planning and policy, as the first U.S. federal legislation on the subject in the post-Interstate Highway System era...
(ISTEA) was the first post-build-out transportation act. It initiated a new approach focused on efficiency, intelligence, and intermodalism. It had a primary goal of providing “the foundation for the nation to compete in the global economy”. This new mixture of infrastructure and technology was identified as an Intelligent Transportation System
Intelligent transportation system
The term intelligent transportation systems refers to information and communication technology that improve transport outcomes such as transport safety, transport productivity, travel reliability, informed travel choices, social equity, environmental performance and network operation...
(ITS) and was the centerpiece of the 1991 ISTEA act. ITS
is loosely defined as “the application of computers, communications, and sensor technology to surface transportation”. Subsequent surface transportation bills have continued ITS funding and development. In 2005 the SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) surface transportation spending bill was signed
into law.
ATMS Functional Areas
- Real-time traffic monitoring
- Dynamic message sign monitoring and control
- Incident monitoring
- Traffic cameraTraffic cameraA traffic camera is a video camera which observes vehicular traffic on a road. Typically, these are put along major roads such as highways, freeways, motorways, autoroutes and expressways, as well as arterial roads, and are connected with optical fibers buried alongside or even under the road,...
monitoring and control - Active Traffic ManagementActive Traffic ManagementActive traffic management , also known as managed lanes or smart lanes, is a scheme for improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on motorways. It has been implemented in several countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States...
(ATM) - Chain control
- Ramp meterRamp meterA ramp meter, ramp signal or metering light is a device, usually a basic traffic light or a two-section signal light together with a signal controller, that regulates the flow of traffic entering freeways according to current traffic conditions...
monitoring and control - Arterial management
- Traffic signal monitoring and control
- Automated warning systems
- Road Weather Information System (RWIS) monitoring
- Highway advisory radioHighway advisory radioTravelers Information Radio Stations , are sometimes also called Highway Advisory Radio Stations by Departments of Transportation in the United States. These radio stations are licensed low-power AM radio stations set up by local transport departments to provide bulletins to motorists and other...
- Urban Traffic Management and ControlUrban Traffic Management and ControlThe Urban Traffic Management Control or UTMC programme is the main initiative of the UK Department for Transport for the development of a more open approach to Intelligent Transport Systems or ITS in urban areas....
ATMS Systems
- IRIS open-source ATMS ProjectIRIS (transportation software)IRIS is an open-source Advanced Traffic Management System software project developed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It is used by transportation agencies to monitor and manage interstate and highway traffic...
- Georgia NavigatorGeorgia NavigatorGeorgia Navigator is an Advanced Traffic Management System used in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is operated by the Georgia Department of Transportation , and was first activated in April 1996, just before the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.Most of the system is installed in metro Atlanta, where...
See also
- Traffic optimizationTraffic optimization- Need for traffic optimization :Texas Transportation Institute estimates travel delays of 220,000,000 hours all over the U.S. and between 17–55 hours of delay per person relating to congestion on the streets. Traffic device optimization hence becomes a significant aspect of operations.-...
- Speed limit: Variable speed limits
- Variable-message sign