Provision of real time traffic and travel information (RTTI)

FACT SHEET NO.: Cat-No.7 / Subcat-No.7.3-2

7. Research and innovation

7.3 Technology: transport information systems, management & services

Provision of real time traffic and travel information (RTTI)

Traffic participants are more and more confronted with traffic problems like congestion, delays, road works and accidents. The mobility of people and goods is growing and the rising demand cannot be fully supported by transport infrastructure investments. Furthermore, road works, traffic accidents and congestion hamper traffic flows cause delays which lead to significant extra costs for transport operators and society. In order to meet future mobility demands it will be crucial to find new ways to improve the current traffic network. Increase efficiency, by distributing traffic participants on the basis of real time mobility network loads, can fulfil traffic participants in their need to travel, without substantial investments in new transport infrastructure. This TPM, on the provision of real time traffic and travel information (RTTI), is designed to do so. [4]
Currently, transport users and transport operators do not have the ability of making truly informed decisions before and during their journey. This TPM focuses on decision making just before and during a journey. This means, that e.g. the purchase of a vehicle will not be taken into account. The availability of real time traffic and travel information will not solely lead to changes (in travel behaviour); furthermore user behaviour plays a determing role in the success or failure of RTTI [1] [5] [6] [7] [9].
Basically, there are two kinds of RTTI:
1. Informing transport users before making their journey. This so-called pre-trip information will help traffic participants to choose between different transport modes (or combinations of transport modes) and avoid possible delays (and therefore be able to better predict travel times). Whether traffic participants will switch between transport modes is doubtful and requires significant changes in behaviour and preferences [7].
2. Provide information during a journey. On-trip information informs traffic participants on the latest traffic conditions (accidents, congestion, weather, departure times, etc.). A fully functional on-trip information system demands a flexible attitude of traffic participants. Real time information will lead to less delays, but this can only be achieved by last-minute switching of routes and transport modes [1] [4].

- The National Data Warehouse for Traffic Information (NDW) is a partnership between several Dutch authorities (mostly local governments), which are working closely together to develop a traffic database and aim to effectively use this data for traffic management and traffic information [2].
- DATEX II aims to provide a standardised way of communicating and exchanging traffic information between service providers, traffic centres, traffic operators and media partners [3].

The main objectives of the TPM are:
- Promote environmental friendly behaviour under transport users. Information on carbon- and environmental footprint of transport services and journeys enables passengers and transport operators to make more environmental friendly choices.
- Meet future mobility demands without huge investments in additional transport infrastructure. When the entire mobility network is being used more efficiently by distributing traffic between different modes and routes, mobility demands can be fulfilled without major investments on traditional (road) infrastructure.
- Promote multimodality by increasing the awareness on the availability of alternative modes and possible combinations of modes for single routes.
- Increase safety by allocating traffic to less loaded parts of the network. Congestion and overloaded roads increase the possibility of accidents which can be reduced by distributing traffic flows. [1]

Multimodal transport will become more attractive, but is uncertain whether this will encourage people to switch between transport modes [6] [7] [9].

Will be more flexible and can be changed last-minute due to RTTI.

No key changes. Pre-trip information will not lead to different (daily) timing, but can generate changes in hourly timing.

Indirect impact: Energy efficient modes of transport will become more visible and energy use of transportation will be transparant for all users and operators.

[1] European Commission (2011): Commission Staff Working document . Accompanying the White Paper - Roadmap to a single European transport area. SEC(2011)391. Brussels
[2] National Data Warehouse for Traffic Information (2012): The database – explained, Utrecht: NDW
[3] European Commission (2011): DATEX II - CEN TS 16157 - The key to successful information exchange, Brussels
[4] SafetyForum (2007): Report of the eSafety Working Group on Real-Time Traffic and Travel Information (RTTI), Brussels
[5] Gärtner, A. (2005): Study on the effectiveness of Directive 1999/94/EC relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars, München: ADAC e.V.
[6] Steg, L., Gifford, R. (2005): Sustainable transportation and quality of life, Journal of Transport Geography 13: 59–69
[7] Litman, T. (2011): Mobility As A Positional Good - Implications for Transport Policy and Planning, Victoria Transport Policy Institute
[8] European Commission (2008): Action Plan for the Deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe, SEC(2008) 3083, Brussels
[9] Steg, L. (2005): Car Use: Lust And Must. Instrumental, Symbolic And Affective Motives For Car Use, Transportation Research A, Vol. 39