Implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems in an Urban Agglomeration: A Case Study

Abstract

The development of road transport requires cities to have a multi-faceted traffic management system. It is particularly true in city centers, where public transport modes (buses and trams) are also being added in addition to individual vehicles. The article is based on field research carried out, for which the case study was the city center of Szczecin. The article proposes a three-stage research methodology, consisting of an inventory of the current state of the selected infrastructure section, surveys of traffic density and travel time, and analysis of the data obtained (field research), which are the key to selecting locally appropriate ITS-class devices. The actions taken resulted in selecting ITS systems according to criteria such as improvement of traffic safety and fluidity, improvement of the overall traffic management and information system, and improvement in the functioning of public transport. As part of the work, many devices and systems were identified that can significantly improve the collective and individual mobility of the studied street section. These include intersection monitoring, accommodating signaling, a tram priority system, and passenger and parking information boards. This article aims to present the possibilities of implementing ITS systems in city centers, taking into account the specific individual road conditions and the need to improve vehicle flow management, using the example of a ready-made proposal for the city of Szczecin, using the minimum necessary equipment.