Essex Travel Information
Provided by the
Essex Traffic
Control Centre
Systems
The systems used are:
- Siemens COMET (Central Office Management for integrated Traffic)
- ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition)
- OCTV and CCTV
- Variable Message Signs
- Car Park Guidance
- Count Detectors/Scoot Loops
- TRIPS (Travel Real-Time Information and Priority System)
Siemens COMET (Central Office Management for integrated Traffic)
The COMET system acts as a ‘front-end’ interface for other systems. They feed into COMET to give the Operators statistical figures, such as Journey times for identified busy routes into towns. It is also used to log all incidents reported to the centre, so as to enable statistical reports to be obtained.
ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition)
Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology provides a new and accurate tool for monitoring journey times. The data is collected to calculate the time it takes for a vehicle to travel between two points on the road network. Two or more ANPR cameras are placed at either end of a route, using a vehicle’s number plate to calculate the time taken. In this application, the number plate information is scrambled and only used for journey time information. This information can then be used by the staff within the Essex traffic Control Centre to monitor traffic flows and examine the reliability of journey times between locations. ANPR systems are currently located across Essex and we are expanding the network all the time, to provide more information about travel on our roads.
NOTE: The Essex Traffic Control Centre is unable to track individual vehicles and the system cannot be used for any traffic enforcement purposes.
OCTV and CCTV
OCTV (Mobile Cameras) and CCTV (Closed Circuit) are used to confirm any traffic patterns the Operators need to report upon. OCTV has the advantage that it is mobile and therefore can be ‘lifted and shifted’ to new major roadwork schemes.
Variable Message Signs
Variable Message Signs are electronic signs, located in strategic places around Essex so the operators can inform the public as soon as possible about potential delays. The signs are placed at some of the key decision points along the Essex road network, such as the A127, A130, A138 Parkway and the A414. These are only a few examples of an ongoing expansion programme throughout Essex.
Car Park Guidance
The Car Park Guidance system allows the public to see what spaces are available in each town centre car park via an electronic sign located at the major inbound routes towards the towns. This allows the driver to make an early decision on what car parks to use and which to avoid, as they are full, which results in less queuing and less congestion on our roads. This system is currently used in Chelmsford and Basildon, but will be spread out to other towns of Essex.
Count Detectors/Scoot Loops
Journey Time information is derived from data off scoot loops that are inserted in the ground at Traffic Signal junction locations. These record the amount of traffic passing through that junction and at what speed. Count detectors are also used, giving the same data as scoot loops, but are not linked to traffic signals. From this the ETCC Operators can see if traffic is flowing at a normal rate for the time of day or is congested.
TRIPS (Travel Real-time Information and Priority System)
TRIPS is a real-time passenger information and bus priority system, developed as a joint project between Essex County Council, Southend on Sea Borough Council and Thurrock Council, with close co-operation from local bus operators.
It gives the public real-time information via the electronic signs at the bus stops, accurate, up to the minute information about bus departures and provides late running buses with priority at signalised junctions.
The information is shown on the signs as a minute countdown. If an actual time is displayed then this is the service time-table time. For TRIPS to give real-time information we rely on bus drivers to log onto an On-Bus Unit giving details of the service (or route) they are running on.
The ETCC Operators monitor the correct operation of the system to maximise the amount of real-time information displayed. The information relayed from buses may also provide indication of congestion to be investigated by ETCC staff. Finally, any significant network disruptions can be disseminated from the centre through special messages on the bus-stop signs.