Selective vehicle priority - a new approach

Abstract

Within the UK traffic signals under the control of fixed time urban traffic control (UTC) still outnumber SCOOT controlled sites, and yet public transport priority facilities based on selective detection (SV priority facilities) are not yet generally available to users of fixed time UTC. Common practice currently is to undertake a conversion to SCOOT to make use of its priority facilities-but should SV priority always necessitate an investment in general traffic detection? The paper describes from a user's perspective, intervention control strategies that the authors consider could be beneficial in designing for SV priority within a fixed time environment, and a new facility that will enable UTC engineers to develop their own strategies tailored to their own local circumstances. Ultimately, similar interventions might be translated across to a dynamic control environment. The paper is presented by UTC practitioners who have canvassed users and found that there is enthusiastic support for such an approach. The approach described in the paper emerged during the course of a research project, UTMCO1, within the UTMC (Urban Traffic Management and Control) programme funded by the UK's Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. The project has investigated the state of the art and user needs for selective vehicle priority, developed an SV priority application using the UTMC open architecture approach, and will test and trial the application in networks in Leeds and Sheffield.