Intelligent Transport Systems
TTR has carried out the following projects within the area of ITS:
European ITS Projects
TTR develops and manages travel information system projects which are part of European Commission funding programmes. These include:
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ITISS (Intermodal Traveller Information Systems) was a three year research and development project to improve the content of and access to traveller information services in five partner cities/regions for a wide range of travellers. This also included a study into the scope for the development of a European Travel Information Web (ETIW) to extend the ITISS concepts and applications throughout Europe . (2004 - 2007).
PARTNER was a transnational project relevant to cities and regions throughout the Atlantic Area. The objectives of PARTNER was to make it easy for people to travel to, from and around the Atlantic Area using a combination of local transport and inter-regional transport services. Project actions included a web portal for planning transnational journeys; and development of the INTEGRA concept and brand to assist travellers during travel, both to save time and to increase the convenience of using public transport. (2004 - 2007). |
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Usability Research
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TTR carried out an assessment for the Highways Agency on the value of Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) for providing information to drivers. This involved Focus Groups with commercial and non-commercial drivers to determine opinion and monetary value of driver information displayed in terms of reduced stress; improved driver behaviour; and improved driver experience. The research was used to help develop business cases models for the installation of VMS at the roadside. (2009) |
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TTR carried out an assessment on behalf of a private traffic technology company, to gain a greater understanding on how transportation users of South Yorkshire will get best value from interacting with their intelligent transport system once it is developed. There are two primary ways users interact with the system. The first is when a user makes first contact (going on the website/sending a SMS text). The second is when based on a profile the user has predetermined (the system sends them a SMS text). Information from focus group analysis was used to inform the development of an intelligent transport system with a simple, user friendly front end. The aim was to enable road users in South Yorkshire to make informed travel decisions to avoid congestion hotspots. (2007) |
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TTR was commissioned by Lancashire County Council to review current good practice in the design and delivery of web-based travel information, thereby enabling development in the aesthetics of a state-of-the-art site. The study included an assessment of previous studies in this area, drawing out the key principles regarding design and functionality. These principles were used to appraise a number of current travel information websites, in order that examples of state-of-the-art features and presentation can be demonstrated. The presentation of the study enabled Lancashire County Council to take steps towards the development of a website that delivers transport information according to current good practice. (2006 - 2009) |
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Database Management, Design & Build
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TTR had an ongoing contract with Transport Direct, the national UK journey planning portal for the provision of specialists as required to undertake various assignments. These tasks include working closely with civil servants, consultants, suppliers, travelines, local authorities and others in order to secure improvements in the quantity and quality of data available to Transport Direct. (2005-2011)
TTR managed the National Codes Project for Transport Direct which was designed to address some of the previous gaps in the public transport data chain to help enable the provision of a single national data onset for bus timetables. This includes (1) a national operator code database, (2) a national serviced organisation database, (3) related operational term dates and (4) public holidays. The project included research, stakeholder consultation, data build activity and the provision of a final set of reports with recommendations for ongoing management. (2009 - 2010) |
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TTR provided technical support to staff from Portsmouth City Council in the relaunch of the bus real time information project in Portsmouth (PORTAL). Tasks included assessing the suitability of the exisiting data management processes, in terms of their fitness for the purpose of maintaining up-to-date information about services and schedules for the RTI system and producing recommendations for a new data management process that would deliver the required information in an accurate and timely manner. (2007) |
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System Specification
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TTR assisted Traveline East Midlands and Traveline East Anglia with the procurement of new contracts for their respective Enquiry Management Systems. The support given to EAPTIS & EMTIS included reviewing and finalising the specification used in the procurement of the new systems, and advising the clients during the evaluation, negotiation and selection process. (2007 - 2009) |
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Risk Assessment
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TTR were commissioned by the Highways Agency to assist them with the introduction of pictograms and mixed case text on the Motorway Signal Mark (MS4) Variable Message Signs (VMS). TTR completed a comprehensive risk assessment for the introduction of pictograms and mixed case text on MS4 including a review of documentary evidence and a consultation exercise with key stakeholders in each of the HA Directorates. The risk assessment recommended a phased implementation of pictograms and then mixed case text so that the performance of each format could be evaluated. (2008 - 2009) |
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ITS Networking
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TTR co-ordinates the CIVINET UK & Ireland network of local authorities. One of the network's key features is as forum for the exchange of ITS implementation experience. |
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Database Quality Assessment
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TTR was commissioned by WestTrans to analyse and review the outputs of the TRAVL (Trip Rate Assessment Valid for London ) database. TRAVL is a multi modal trip generation database which is used on projects across Greater London to estimate the effect of proposed changes in land use on transport patterns and, in particular, on the amount of road traffic in an area. TTR consulted with stakeholders, analysed the outputs of TRAVL and providing recommendations for change to align TRAVL and Travel Planning. (2009) |
