The ATMA-MODeRN project (Advanced Traffic MAnagement -Multi-Objective Decision aid for Regional Networks) is about the development of a decision support tool for advanced traffic management on a network level. This Transumo project has a close relationship with Transumo project VM04.031 ‘ATMO’

Main goal of the project is to develop a management support tool for all types of networks and on a multi-objective basis. The purpose of the traffic management system is not only to reduce congestion, or improve throughput, but also to enlarge traffic safety, reduce environmental impact and improve reliability. As a result a number of more fundamental research subprojects are included. The research subprojects deal with the development and application of a traffic management system for different types of networks, or with a management approach as such. Decision support is developed for a medium sized town (Almelo), for a region (province of Brabant) and for a large metropolitan area (Beijing). The areas were chosen because of their different nature and because data availability was ensured. In Almelo data from vehicle actuated signal control is used, in Brabant data from traditional dual loop detectors and mobile phones are used and in Beijing data from dual and single loop detectors are used. In a subproject predictive control for the different locations is implemented and evaluated. The aim is to contribute to the development of the first version of the prototype decision aid tool.

Three subprojects address questions regarding the objectives, i.e. how can the concept of reliability be made operational on a network level, and how can traffic management measures improve reliability, and what is the impact of traffic management on traffic safety. Another more fundamental research subproject deals with the question if and how traffic management can be combined with different pricing measures, such as parking policy, area charging, congestion pricing, toll lanes etc. Finally the 5th subproject deals with the very important question whether to organize the management system centralized or rather decentralized. The research plan is that the prototype DSS is constantly under revision from the input of the fundamental research subprojects, e.g. new insights on reliability are included in the prototype.

The project contains several innovative aspects. A DSS for traffic management in itself is not new, yet, a multi-objective approach is. Relatively little is known about the impact of management on safety, further both the concept of reliability and how it can be improved are areas that are hardly researched. Pricing measures are studied vastly, yet almost always in a specific isolated way and seldom as a part of a larger management scheme. For instance willingness to pay was studied extensively, but seldom in relation with many other measures. Finally decentralized control is a relatively new area of research, especially the multi-agent approach that was chosen in this project.

This Transumo project aims to envisage that road authorities have the possibility to implement a decision aid system on traffic management in order to achieve a faster, cleaner, safer and more reliable network. Also it is better understood to what extent the different objectives are conflicting or consistent.

Participants
Univerity Twente, TRAIL, Free University, SWOV, TNO, Stadsgewest Haaglanden, Gem. Delft, Gem. Rotterdam, Gem. Almelo, Province Zuid-Holland, Vialis, LogicaCMG, Siemens, ARS, DHV, Goudappel Coffeng.

Projectmanager
University of Twente: Prof.dr.ir. E. van Berkum

For more information, please contact Transumo at info@transumo.nl, +31 79 3470950