Environment - responsive Traffic Control

This article describes some fundamentals for an environment-responsive traffic control. It starts with a brief description of the needs to consider environmental aspects in urban traffic control, focusing on noise, particular matters (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Respective current regulations by law in Europe and Germany are explained. Comparing the regulations for the improvement of air quality and for noise reduction, important similarities and differences are pointed out. In the next section, the idea of a dynamic traffic control is introduced, which takes into account not only the traffic situation, but also the current environmental situation. Systematically, the different options of dynamic measures to influence traffic volumes and traffic flow are being analyzed and assessed for their general potential to improve the environmental situation while avoiding unnecessary restrictions for motorized traffic. An overview on measures is given which have been applied so far to improve the environmental situation, concentrating on traffic control measures. E.g. this includes approaches to optimize traffic signal control, restrictions for heavy vehicles to pass certain parts of the network, “environmental zones” (Umweltzonen), and speed limits. Furthermore, different methods to assess the potential of traffic control measures as a basis for a situation-dependent selection of measures are described, especially regarding the quality of their results (accuracy, time resolution, and spatial transferability). Concluding, research and development needs are outlined. mobil.TUM 2009 International Scientific Conference on Mobility and Transport ITS for larger Cities. 12&13 May 2009, Munich