Traffic management involves the efficient and safe distribution of vehicles over limited space and time. DTV Consultants does this by analysing and processing the available information and then presenting the result to users in a way that influences traffic.
The number of cars on the roads is still increasing, which means: congestion, parking problems and negative environmental impact. Adding a traffic light here and there is not enough to resolve all the traffic problems. However, a clever combination of traffic measures or traffic tools and instruments can help considerably. DTV Consultants knows what instruments can be applied in what situations. We have already used many instruments to manage and influence traffic at regional and local level, and at national level, too, we are becoming increasingly important in the field of traffic management.
Mobility management
Traffic management is closely related to mobility management. Where traffic management is about influencing traffic, mobility management is about choosing how to travel from A to B. In other words, mobility management tries to distribute the transport demand over different modes of transport and time. By bicycle? Or by car? And when to leave? In order to make these choices, transport users gather information, about traffic jams or public transport timetables, for example. Traffic management ensures that this information is available. And once the user has made a choice and gets into the car, he or she has become the subject of traffic management.
Van A naar Beter-Prijs (From A to Better Award)
The fact that DTV Consultants is an innovative and important player in this field was proved by our winning the Van A naar Beter-Prijs (From A to Better Award) 2006 for ODYSA®, an individual green wave. ODYSA® incorporates everything about traffic management: the instrument measures and processes data, and presents information to the individual road user, enabling him/her to continue uninterrupted through the next traffic light. ODYSA® not only improves the traffic flow, it also reduces the impact on the environment. With ODYSA®, the motorist can travel at a steady speed, which is more environmentally friendly than continually braking and accelerating.
Because of the increasing importance of the environment in traffic, it is also a crucial aspect for DTV Consultants in traffic measures. This is why we are involved in CROW’s SOLVE programme (Fast Solutions for Air and Traffic), that studies how traffic lights can be adjusted to promote optimum air quality.
Traffic lights
The traditional traffic light is still an important instrument in traffic management because it still is an important tool for influencing traffic. DTV Consultants has an excellent and acknowledged reputation when it comes to traffic lights. With the right traffic light adjustment, we can ensure that traffic lights not only improve traffic flow and air quality, but also improve traffic safety. An important aspect here is the software and traffic light technology. We at DTV Consultants are familiar with all the technical options, and we apply them in traffic control.
Dynamics
But traffic lights are not the only way to influence traffic; other instruments are also available, such as a parking route guidance systems or dynamic route information panels. A traffic instrument only falls under traffic management if the instrument is dynamic: it must be adjustable depending on the circumstances. For example, a roundabout is not a traffic management measure. Once the roundabout has been constructed and has been in operation for a number of years, there is little one can do to change it. Lane marking is not traffic management either, expect when this marking consists of lights that can be switched on and off to enable for instance flexible lane allocation, tidal flows, or exit changes.
Fixed pattern
To determine the right package of traffic instruments, DTV Consultants works along a certain pattern. We study traffic on the existing infrastructure, gather information, use that information to create solutions and share the resulting knowledge.
Traffic management begins with research. DTV Consultants goes in search of the question behind the question. What does the client really want done? What is the real problem? In order to find out, we organise meetings with all the parties involved. Furthermore, we manage the process. Step by step, we identify the actual problems, possible solution directions and the ultimate goal. We use simulation studies to determine the solution directions, which enable us to establish what measure will have what effect.
Once a solution has been found for a problem, the engineers and programmers at DTV Consultants get to work. They incorporate the data acquired into hardware and software which will help achieve the goals. They develop the required technology to inform, guide and control the traffic. The technology and associated software produce an instrument which will resolve the traffic problem.
Transfer of knowledge is important to DTV Consultants. The process doesn’t stop with developing the instrument. We realise that the acquired knowledge can also help resolve traffic problems in other situations. We therefore share our knowledge about the instruments and measures taken. We organise various training programmes relating to traffic control technology and traffic design. Traffic management is not just about influencing traffic in a certain situation; it is about all traffic. This is the only way to reduce traffic congestion, parking problems and environmental impact. And that is the ultimate goal of traffic management.