Advanced Traffic Control Systems

Advanced traffic management systems (ATMS) seek to reduce, or at least contain, traffic congestion in urban environments by improving the efficiency of utilization of existing infrastructures. These systems typically seek solutions to congestion problems occurring on urban freeways and surface streets through the deployment of state-of-the-art sensing, communications, and data-processing technologies. Problems considered include both congestion caused by regular traffic patterns (congestion management systems) and traffic problems caused by stalled vehicles or other unpredictable incidents (incident management systems).

ATMS typically attempt to take advantage of information that can be provided by roadside traffic sensors. These systems typically attempt to use available traffic information to develop optimal traffic control strategies addressing traffic needs at a single intersection, along an arterial or freeway, along a given corridor, or throughout a given area. Real-time solutions capable of automatically adjusting to changes in traffic conditions are often sought. These systems also frequently rely on variable message signs or other information dissemination technologies to provide relevant traffic information and travel recommendations to travelers.