Integrating the Traffic Management Applications of ITS: An Overview of the UTMC Programme in the UK

Abstract

Launched in 1997, the Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) research programme is the UK DETR's main initiative for the development of a more open approach to intelligent transport systems (ITS) in urban areas. This five-year programme supports the research and development of open standards and new applications for urban traffic management with the aim of seeing the market develop for the supply and use of UTMC systems. UTMC systems are defined by their Technical Specifications and associated documents. The research projects to date have focused on key areas of the Technical Specification and much of that research is, or is close to being, complete. The results provide the basis for conclusions about UTMC standards in key areas, notably communications. These are presented here. The results are also being drawn together in the current Call 4 for large demonstration projects. We summarise the aims and approach to Call 4 below.