TARGETING TROUBLE
Page 48
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* Traffic management on the core roads network of England is due to pass from the police and into the hands of a private company.
• The £100m contract, due to be signed in the next few weeks, is for the 10-year development of a high-tech solution to congested roads.
• A single, national traffic control centre will control the flow of all data relating to traffic conditions and offer advice and guidance to drivers through a system of variable message signs, radio broadcasts, the Internet and a telephone not line.
• Only a few drivers will need to be influenced to alter their route or time of travel to make a real difference to congestion levels.
• The nationwide view of traffic is
designed to enable the Tcc to offer alternative routes many miles from the scene of an incident,
* Planned predictive computer software will eventually be able to provide warnings of congestion even before tt has occurred.
• Close liaison with the police is expected to ensure that there is no dilution in the provision of emergency roadside assistance.
• The national network of about 350 . 1 VMS sites is expected to be complete within two years. These and othe media will provide up-to-the-second information on traffic conditions.
• Computer-generated messages will ensure that the information displayed is current and relevant.
• The contract with the preferred bidder is expected to be signed in July for a 10-year period. In about February 2001. the TCC company is due to begin a two-year implementation period before the system becomes Fully operational early in 2003,