Advanced Highway Management Systems

Abstract

Abstract Advanced highway management systems (AHMS) belong to the established instruments of road transport telematics. They aim for improving the safety and mobility of travelers. Through the provision of of travel and roadway condition information and use of traffic control strategies at junctions and sections (supply management), their aim is to optimize the flow of traffic and use of the roadways cross section influencing the traffic demand in space and time (demand management) on the basis of current and projected traffic, roadway and weather conditions. The article deals first with the structure and objectives of advanced highway management systems. Following a brief introduction into traffic flow on highways, general approaches of demand and supply management followed by the range of operational strategies and the supporting AHMS functions are described. One focus is on the integrated and cross‐system‐related active traffic management approaches and the potential benefits of sharing basic safety messages and related information between connected vehicles and AHMS's. This requires agencies to establish and provide the resources to establish the strategic vision, policies, procedures, systems and strategies to implement and actively manage and operate roadways. Information is also provided for system planning and implementation, quality management, and recent developments and innovations in the field of AHMS.