ABSTRACT

Today, many cities in the world are facing serious land transport challenges. Increasing traffic congestion has brought with it environmental, social and economic implications. With the proportion of the worlds population residing in urban areas projected to increase to more than two-thirds over the next 20 years or so, and with rising car ownership, more cities will find themselves facing the potentially crippling problems of traffic congestion. Many major cities in Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and others are currently facing serious transport problems as other big cities of the world. Traffic congestion remains one of the biggest problems in urban areas. Congestion can be easily recognized: roads filled with cars, trucks, buses, sidewalks filled with pedestrians. Congestion results from various sources on the road system. The interaction between these multiple sources is complex and varies greatly from day-to-day and road-to-road. The sources of congestion also produce another effect: variability in travel time. The latter is defined in terms of how travel times vary over time e.g. hour-to-hour, day-to-day. The increasing demand for travel by highway and public transit is causing the transportation system to reach the limits of its existing capacity. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can help ease this strain through the application of modern information technology and communications. ITS is a global phenomenon attracting worldwide interest from transportation professionals the automotive industry and political decision makers. Phenomenal growth in road traffic and vehicle population of National Highways have stretched the capacity of the arterial system almost to the limit. ITS provide policy makers, government, operators, industry and the general public with tool that will help them to meet their objectives more efficiently, cost effectively and safely.

1. INTRODUCTION
Infrastructure can be defined as the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function. The term typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, water supply, sewers, power grids, telecommunication, and so forth. Thus transportation contributes to economic, industrial, social and cultural development of a country. Transportation is vital for economic development of any region since every commodity produced whether it is food, clothing, industrial products or medicine needs transport at all stages from production to distribution. But with the increase in population, change in population density, motorization and urbanization, traffic volumes on roads have increased considerably. Congestion reduces utilization of transport infrastructure and increases travel times, energy consumption, air pollution and accidents. There Intelligent Transport System (ITS) comes into picture it holds the promise of sustainability. Intelligent Transport System is the name given to the application of computer and communication technologies along with the transportation management to transportation problems. Intelligent Transport Systems intend to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of surface transportation systems through advanced technologies in information systems, communications, sensors and intelligent vehicles. Intelligent Transport Systems provide the technology to enable people to make smart travel choices. Intelligent Transport Systems encompass a broad range of wireless and wire line communications-based information and electronics technologies. When integrated into the transportation systems infrastructure and in vehicles themselves, these technologies relieve congestion, improve safety and enhance productivity. Users want real-time information to help them to select the best route to take at any given time. They need to know the traffic speeds, incidents (accidents or land closures) and road conditions. With Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) driver make informed decisions and are better equipped to plan their route and estimate their travel time. Thus ATIS provide several benefits to road users like reduced travel time, reduction in stress levels, the avoidance of congestion as well as the avoidance of unsafe driving conditions. Advanced information and communication technologies are required for ITS. These include Data Storage &

Processing Equipment, Wire line and Wireless Communication Systems, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Sensors, Smart Vehicles, etc. In addition to the above technologies, institutional and market factor plays an important role in successful ITS deployment. Interest in ITS comes from the problems caused by traffic congestion worldwide and a synergy of new information technologies for simulation, real-time control and communications networks. Traffic congestion has been increasing worldwide as a result of increased motorization, urbanization, population growth and changes in population density. Congestion reduces efficiency of transportation infrastructure and increases travel time, air pollution and fuel consumption. The goal of ITS is to improve the transportation system to make it more effective, efficient, and safe. Building new transportation infrastructure is expensive and can be detrimental to the environment. In most urban areas where more capacity is needed, it is becoming physically impossible to build enough new roads or new lanes to meet transportation demand. By applying the latest technological advances to system, ITS can help meet increasing demand our transportation for transportation by

improving the quality, safety, and effective capacity of our existing infrastructure. ITS represents a wide collection of applications, from advanced traffic signal control systems, to electronic transit fare payment systems, to ramp meters, to collision warning systems. In order to apply ITS services most effectively, it is important to understand their benefits and costs. Some applications provide more cost-effective benefits than others, and as technology evolve, the choices available change. Often, several technologies are combined in a single integrated system, providing a higher level of benefits than any single technology. The costs of these technology investments not only the first-time, initial costs, but the costs to operate and maintain them are of interest to transportation agencies. In 2000 alone, traffic congestion cost motorists a staggering $67.5 billion in wasted time in 75 large urban areas of USA. This situation has resulted in innovative shift of infrastructure management through advanced technologies, to ensure efficient and environment friendly user services. Development of vehicle detection and information technologies on top of communication technologies has offered ways to collect the real time traffic data for processing at a central facility. Processed information is used for various management purposes such as control, traveller information, incident detection and response. ITS have thus addressed the need for working towards regionally

integrated transportation systems. The goal of I T S is to improve the transportation system to make it more efficient and safer by use of information, communications and control technologies.

2. DEFINITION OF ITS
Traffic control has been an issue since humans put the first wheels on the first cart. The modern world demands mobility. Cars represent the main method of mobility, but todays congested highways and city streets dont move fast, and sometimes they dont move at all. Intelligent traffic systems (ITS), sometimes called intelligent transportation systems, apply communications and information technology to provide solutions to this congestion as well as other traffic control issues. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) represent a major transition in transportation on many dimensions. ITS is an international program intended to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of surface transportation systems through advanced technologies in information systems, communications, and sensors. ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) is a system which is designed to promote advance technology, to ensure that the Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC) is effective and to support safe driving. With this system, people, roads, and vehicles use the latest information communication technology. The intelligent transport system (ITS) takes the first step towards meeting this challenge by providing effective, reliable and meaningful knowledge to motorists in time. Problems like high traffic congestion, low transportation efficiency, low safety and endangered environment can be solved through innovative and sophisticated ways of handling latest techniques that have emerged in recent years in integrating information technology, electronics and telecommunication with roads and traffic management. Intelligent transportation systems, or ITS, encompass a broad range of wireless and wireline communications-based information, control and electronics technologies. When integrated into the transportation system infrastructure, and in vehicles themselves, these technologies help monitor and manage traffic flow, reduce congestion, provide alternate routes to travelers, enhance productivity, and save lives, time and money. Intelligent transportation systems provide the tools for skilled transportation professionals to collect, analyze, and archive data about the performance of the system during the hours of peak use. Having this data enhances

traffic operators' ability to respond to incidents, adverse weather or other capacity constricting events. The term ITS refers to efforts to add information and communications technology to transport infrastructure and vehicles in an effort to manage factors that typically are at odds with each other, such as vehicles, loads, and routes to improve safety and reduce vehicle wear, transportation times and fuel consumption. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have been defined as: 'the application of advanced sensor, computer, electronics, and communication technologies and management strategiesin an integrated mannerto improve the safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system'. As defined by the United States Department of Transportation, Intelligent Transportation apply well-established Systems (ITS) technologies in communications, control, electronics and

computer hardware and software to improve surface transportation system performance. ITS activities are four categories of technologies: 1. Sensing the ability to note the position and speed of vehicles using infrastructure (e.g. rail lines, roadways, bridges, tunnels); 2. Communicating the ability to send and receive information, between vehicles, between vehicles and infrastructure, and between infrastructure and centralized transportation operations and management centers; 3. Computing the ability to process large amounts of data collected and communicated so that conclusions can be drawn and assessments made; and, 4. Algorithms computer programs which process information gathered by ITS and develop operating strategies for transportation facilities. the

3. NEED FOR ITS

Transportation is a driving force behind development and the well being of all people around the world. Modern life demands growing mobility, frequently it is secured through ever-increasing use of private cars. The resulting burdens on the transport infrastructure, that is already heavily stretched, are multiplying. Despite major expenditures on new road infrastructures, traffic congestion continues to rise. Past gains in road safety and environmental improvements are decreasing. It is unlikely that these problems can be solved simply by building more roads or by relying on past approaches. Innovative efforts are clearly needed on broad front. Among this is the concept, and the practice, of intelligent transport

systems (ITS) which can open up new ways of achieving sustainable mobility in our communications and information society. ITS are transport systems that apply information, communications, and the control technologies to improve the operation of transport networks. ITS tools are based on three core featuresinformation, communications and integrations-that help operators and travellers make better and coordinated decisions. Through improvement of operations, ITS tools are used to save time and lives, to enhance the quality of life and the environment, and to improve the productivity of commercial activities. An ITS includes both technical and institutional components: Since the ITS components work synergistically with each other, their formal relationship can be depicted by architecture. In the world over, there is a shift to providing timely and reliable information within the confines of existing infrastructure. In the future, we have to expect dense road traffic in cities. In a macroscopic view, this will lead to longer travel time and high fuel consumption due to more congestion on roads. Experience has shown that congestion grows three to five times than mileage. In this context, route guidance has to improve the efficiency of road transport by supporting better planning taking into account average traffic conditions. For the same reason, it has to support navigation by avoiding delayed and blocked roads. In the future, the static data of the network has to be complemented by dynamic traffic information for appropriate reaction to the current situation. This is possible only through innovative and sophisticated technologies. The ITS takes the first step towards meeting this challenge by providing timely, effective, reliable and meaningful knowledge to road users. The need for ITS can be summarized as following points: Provides novel applications by smart technology. Systematically employs advanced technologies in the field of transportation to enhance benefits for road users. Improves the existing transportation services through interconnected embedded technologies. The mean speed can be increased by efficiently monitoring the vehicle speeds. Reduction in road crashes. Provides system to avoid collision, accidents, and improves night vision and road alertness. Enables the rapid arrival of emergency vehicles during accidents to transfer the

victims to trauma care centers within the golden hour through incident management systems.

Improve vehicle highway system operation and management techniques. Optimal use of existing infrastructure. Reduce congestion. Coordination of traffic movement. Ease drivers frustration. Check environmental degradation. Check stress related accidents.

4. MAJOR ITS SERVICES

4.1 Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) Advanced transportation management systems allow transportation agencies to maintain safe travel through their facilities by identifying unauthorized stopped vehicles, monitoring critical structure areas, and responding rapidly to emergency situations with real-time decision support tools. ATMS ensures optimal usage and safe passage on critical roadways, both under normal conditions and during periods when planned events or unexpected adverse conditions such as inclement weather, lane closure, vehicular incident / accidents and heavy volume can impact the normal flow of traffic. This system can benefit the public with improved traffic and public safety, by monitoring the flow of traffic and making appropriate decisions in a timely manner. Additional benefits include less fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact. They employ a variety of relatively inexpensive detectors, cameras, and communication systems to monitor traffic, optimize signal timings on major arterials, and control the flow of traffic. The main goals of ATMS are to improve the flow of traffic and to make better use of available infrastructure. ATMS features:

Vehicle detection and traffic monitoring Automatic incident detection Integrated video management Real-time decision support Stopped vehicle detection Motorist advisory information through VMS, HAT, telephone, and the Internet Integrated real-time travel time advisories Integrated dispatch communications Ramp metering Automatic emergency and maintenance vehicle location, reporting and dispatch Integrated roadway weather information Dynamic gate control, scheduled HOV and reversible roadways Supervisory control of traffic signalization systems Closed loop control of ventilation systems Integrated bridge and tunnel facility lighting, standpipe and electrical controls Interface to site access, security and fire protection systems

4.2 Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) The function of ATIS is to assist the travelers with planning, perception, analysis and decision making to improve the convenience and efficiency of travel. ATIS technologies include:

On-board display of maps and road way signs. On-board route guidance systems On-board traffic hazard warning system. This provide drivers with information and congestion, alternate routes, to find

the closest facility, to find the optimum route between many points, to find the most direct path between two points, to build service areas, to find out drive time analysis, to find out the actual location and status of the vehicle and roadway condition through audio and visual means in the vehicle. They work even better with inclusion of geographic tourist guides and yellow pages that enable travelers to select destinations

based on proximity to other places. Traveler information applications use a variety of technologies, including Internet websites, telephone hotlines, as well as television and radio, to allow users to make more informed decisions regarding trip departures, routes, and mode of travel.

4.3 Advanced Public Transport Systems (APTS) Users: -Public transport passengers. Services: - Public transport operation - Public transport management - Optimal utilization (buses, light rails) APTS technologies are a collection of technologies that increase the efficiency and safety of public transportation systems and offer users greater access to information on system operations. The implementation of APTS technologies is transforming the way public transportation systems operate, and changing the nature of the transportation services that can be offered by public transportation systems. The main goal is to provide public transportation decisionmakers more information to make effective decisions on systems and operations and to increase travelers convenience and rider ship. The other goals are to improve the operational characteristics of transit fleet, maintenance of transit fleets, revenue control, security of drivers and passengers etc. APTS technologies can be organized into three broad categories that describe the technologies relevance to transit applications. Each category is comprised needs while increasing safety and efficiency. 4.4 Commercial Vehicle Operation (CVO) Users: of a variety of technology choices that are available to help transport agencies and organizations meet travelers service

-Transporters Commercial Vehicle Operations is an application of ITS for trucks. A typical system would be purchased by the managers of a trucking company. It would have a satellite navigation system, a small computer and a digital radio in each truck. Every fifteen minutes the computer transmits where the truck has been. The digital radio service forwards the data to the central office of the trucking company. A computer system in the central office manages the fleet in real time under control of a team of dispatchers. A good system lets the computer, dispatcher and driver collaborate on finding a good route, or a method to move the load. One special value is that the computer can automatically eliminate routes over roads that cannot take the weight of the truck, or that have overhead obstructions. Services: -Fleet Administration -Electronic Clearance -Commercial Vehicle Administrative Processes -International Border Crossing Clearance -Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) -Roadside CVO Safety -On-Board Safety Monitoring -CVO Fleet Maintenance -Hazardous Material Planning and Incident Response -Freight In-Transit Monitoring -Freight Terminal Management The benefits of CVO include Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Improved safety monitoring

 Paperwork reduction Revenue collection improvement Electronic Screening/Weigh-In-Motion Stop only high-risk drivers/carriers/vehicles Simplify/speed up/reduce roadside inspections Electronic one-stop shopping Tax payments, licenses, and permits Rover Vans Perform safety inspections anywhere Portable computers simplify inspections In-vehicle systems: Equipment malfunction warning systems Other: Electronic toll collection keeps vehicles moving
Cost-effectiveness

4.5 Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS) To increase the capacity a highway is able to carry, a concept of platooning has been developed. This is the idea that cars can travel in organized groups, much more compactly than they would do if individual drivers had complete control of their car. They achieve this by controlling individual cars using magnets on the road and sensors in the cars to control left to right movement, and radar systems in the car to control forward and backward movement and maintain consistent and safe vehicle spacing. Visual sensors are also being developed to assist with more complicated things like lane changes or merging into traffic.

Services: -Route guidance -Destination related information -Automatic safety driving -Collision avoidance system. -Adaptive light control -Automatic parking -Traffic sign recognition -Automated highway system -Route guidance for emergency vehicles 4.6 Advanced Rural Highway Management Systems (ARHMS) Users: -Long distance drivers -Highway agencies Services: -Automated highway -Assistance for safe driving -Incident management -Real time network information The main goal of ARHMS is to provide cost effective solutions for rural problems not associated with peak period congestion. It is actually a combination of ATMS, APTS, ATIS, EMS aimed specifically at rural applications. Here often a larger area is covered and involves less cost. 4.7 Electronic Toll Collection Electronic toll collection (ETC), aims to eliminate the delay on toll roads by collecting tolls electronically. It is thus a technological implementation of a road

pricing concept. It determines whether the cars passing are enrolled in the program, alerts enforcers for those that are not, and electronically debits the accounts of registered car owners without requiring them to stop. Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is used in cordoned urban areas, over bridges, in tunnels, in High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, on toll roads, or through turnpikes. Toll charges are generally based on mileage, maintenance requirements, or congestion levels. Benefits:

A 2005 study found that Electronic toll collection systems reduce environmentally harmful emissions 16 to 63% at toll plazas. Increase in toll lane capacity Reduction in motorist waiting time Convenience for toll payers Fuel savings and a decrease in mobile emissions by reducing or eliminating waiting times Reduction in toll collection costs. Greatly enhances the possibility to implement congestion pricing by breaking technical barriers: non-intrusive toll collection requires much less infrastructure, automatic vehicle counting and classification and automated accounting systems.

Digital license plate recognition devices can accurately and efficiently identify toll violators. ETC systems are emerging as a very cost-effective and efficient manner of implementing traffic surveillance. GPS-based ETC may emerge as a more efficient manner of implementing surveillance for a host of reasons. ETC is based on vehicle roadside communication system; more precisely, it

is an application of electronic signature detection to passenger and commercial vehicle traffic for the purpose of collecting tolls. Here is how it works: when a vehicle passes through the toll gate, a microwave tag (non-contact IC card) exchanges information both ways between the gate and the vehicle to automatically subtract the toll from, for example, a prepaid card or a bank account. This method offers a huge increase in efficiency compared to manual toll collection, and should reduce traffic congestion at toll-booths, save energy, and reduce exhaust emissions. ETC

(Electronic Toll Collection System) is a system by which drivers can pay tolls without having to stop at a tollbooth. The collection of fees is performed electronically by way of equipment installed in the vehicle and sensors at the toll location 4.8 Incident Management System Intelligent transportation systems offer many types of information. They may offer real-time information about traffic conditions, such as variable message signs (Fig:2) to warn of accidents or other delays. ITS controls the flow of traffic via traffic signals, or by opening and closing special gated lanes that allow commuters to access additional traffic lanes in one direction or the other, depending on the time of day, and the direction of the heaviest commuter traffic flow. Some applications provide fog sensors that activate road lights in areas where heavy fog can occur and cause extremely hazardous driving conditions. These fog sensors may also be used to send a message to a variable message sign located before the foggy section to warn motorists of the upcoming hazard. They provide traffic operators with the tools to allow quick and efficient response to accidents, hazardous spills, and other emergencies. There are major corridors where traffic flows are very heavy. Any small incident obstructs the flow, resulting in huge losses in terms of fuel and time. Consequently, conducting surveillance on corridors and identifying useful in saving economic incidents causing problems can be losses. Surveillance systems are based on

electronically operated cameras or loop detectors embedded in pavements. Enables authorities to identify and to respond to vehicle crashes or breakdowns with the most appropriate and timely emergency services, thereby minimizing recovery times. Incident management systems can reduce the effects of incidentrelated congestion by decreasing the time to detect incidents, the time for responding vehicles to arrive, and the time required for traffic to return to normal conditions. Incident as well management as enhanced systems make use and of a variety of surveillance technologies, often shared with freeway and arterial management systems, communications other technologies that facilitate coordinated response to incidents. 4.9 Emergency Management Systems

ITS applications in emergency management scale emergency response and evacuation operations. 4.10 Archived Data User Services (ADUS)

include hazardous materials

management, the deployment of emergency medical services, and large and small-

The main goals of ADUS are to store and use data generated by ITS systems to improve the operation of those systems and for the management of the transportation system. Management is not possible if you dont know what is happening. You cant manage what you dont measure. ITS generates the data needed to determine what is happening. ADUS Stores it Analyzes it, and Reports it

5. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES

Intelligent transport systems vary in technologies applied, from basic management systems such as car navigation; traffic signal control systems; container management systems; variable message signs; automatic number plate recognition or speed cameras to monitor applications, such as security CCTV systems; and to more advanced applications that integrate live data and feedback from a number of other sources, such as parking guidance and information systems; weather information; bridge deicing systems; and the like. Additionally, predictive techniques are being developed to allow advanced modeling and comparison with historical baseline data. Some of the constituent technologies typically implemented in ITS are described in the following sections: 5.1 Wireless Communications Various forms of wireless communications technologies have been proposed for intelligent transportation systems. Radio modem communication on UHF and VHF frequencies are widely used for short and long range communication within ITS. Short-range communications (less than 500 yards) can be accomplished using IEEE

802.11 protocols, specifically WAVE or the Dedicated Short Range Communications standard being promoted by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America and the United States Department of Transportation. Theoretically, the range of these protocols can be extended using Mobile ad-hoc networks or Mesh networking. Longer range communications have been proposed using infrastructure networks such as WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), or 3G. Long-range communications using these methods are well established, but, unlike the short-range protocols, these methods require extensive and very expensive infrastructure deployment. There is lack of consensus as to what business model should support this infrastructure. 5.2 Computational Technologies Recent advances in vehicle electronics have led to a move toward fewer, more capable computer processors on a vehicle. A typical vehicle in the early 2000s would have between 20 and 100 individual networked microcontroller/Programmable logic controller modules with non-real-time operating systems. The current trend is toward fewer, more costly microprocessor modules with hardware memory management and Real-Time Operating Systems. The new embedded system platforms allow for more sophisticated software applications to be implemented, including model-based process control, artificial intelligence, and ubiquitous computing. Perhaps the most important of these for Intelligent Transportation Systems is artificial intelligence. 5.3 Floating Car Data/Floating Cellular Data "Floating car" or "probe" data collection is a set of relatively low-cost methods for obtaining travel time and speed data for vehicles traveling along streets, highways, freeways, and other transportation routes. Broadly speaking, three methods have been used to obtain the raw data: 5.3.1 Triangulation method In developed countries a high proportion of cars contain one or more mobile phones. The phones periodically transmit their presence information to the mobile phone network, even when no voice connection is established. In the mid 2000s,

attempts were made to use mobile phones as anonymous traffic probes. As a car moves, so does the signal of any mobile phones that are inside the vehicle. By measuring and analyzing network data using triangulation, pattern matching or cellsector statistics (in an anonymous format), the data was converted into traffic flow information. With more congestion, there are more cars, more phones, and thus, more probes. In metropolitan areas, the distance between antennas is shorter and in theory accuracy increases. An advantage of this method is that no infrastructure needs to be built along the road; only the mobile phone network is leveraged. But in practice the triangulation method can be complicated, especially in areas where the same mobile phone towers serve two or more parallel routes (such as a freeway with a frontage road, a freeway and a commuter rail line, two or more parallel streets, or a street that is also a bus line). By the early 2010s, the popularity of the triangulation method was declining. 5.3.2 Vehicle re-identification Vehicle re-identification methods require sets of detectors mounted along the road. In this technique, a unique serial number for a device in the vehicle is detected at one location and then detected again (re-identified) further down the road. Travel times and speed are calculated by comparing the time at which a specific device is detected by pairs of sensors. This can be done using the MAC (Machine Access Control) addresses from Bluetooth devices, or using the RFID serial numbers from Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) transponders (also called "toll tags"). 5.3.3 GPS based methods

An increasing number of vehicles are equipped with in-vehicle GPS (satellite navigation) systems that have two-way communication with a traffic data provider. Position readings from these vehicles are used to compute vehicle speeds. Floating car data technology provides advantages over other methods of traffic measurement:

Less expensive than sensors or cameras More coverage (potentially including all locations and streets)

Faster to set up and less maintenance Works in all weather conditions, including heavy rain

5.4 Sensing Technologies Technological advances in telecommunications and information technology, coupled with state-of-the-art microchip, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and inexpensive intelligent beacon sensing technologies, have enhanced the technical capabilities that will facilitate motorist safety benefits for intelligent transportation systems globally. Sensing systems for ITS are vehicle- and infrastructure-based networked systems, i.e., Intelligent vehicle technologies. Infrastructure sensors are indestructible (such as in-road reflectors) devices that are installed or embedded in the road or surrounding the road (e.g., on buildings, posts, and signs), as required, and may be manually disseminated during preventive road construction maintenance or by sensor injection machinery for rapid deployment. Vehicle-sensing systems include deployment of infrastructure-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure electronic beacons for identification communications and may also employ video automatic number plate recognition or vehicle magnetic signature detection technologies at desired intervals to increase sustained monitoring of vehicles operating in critical zones. 5.5 Inductive Loop Detection Inductive loops can be placed in a roadbed to detect vehicles as they pass through the loop's magnetic field. The simplest detectors simply count the number of vehicles during a unit of time (typically 60 seconds in the United States) that pass over the loop, while more sophisticated sensors estimate the speed, length, and weight of vehicles and the distance between them. Loops can be placed in a single lane or across multiple lanes, and they work with very slow or stopped vehicles as well as vehicles moving at high-speed. 5.6 Video Vehicle Detection Traffic flow measurement and automatic incident detection using video cameras is another form of vehicle detection. Since video detection systems such as

those used in automatic number plate recognition do not involve installing any components directly into the road surface or roadbed, this type of system is known as a "non-intrusive" method of traffic detection. Video from black-and-white or color cameras is fed into processors that analyze the changing characteristics of the video image as vehicles pass. The cameras are typically mounted on poles or structures above or adjacent to the roadway. Most video detection systems require some initial configuration to "teach" the processor the baseline background image. This usually involves inputting known measurements such as the distance between lane lines or the height of the camera above the roadway. A single video detection processor can detect traffic simultaneously from one to eight cameras, depending on the brand and model. The typical output from a video detection system is lane-by-lane vehicle speeds, counts, and lane occupancy readings. Some systems provide additional outputs including gap, headway, stopped-vehicle detection, and wrong-way vehicle alarms. 5.7 Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Automatic vehicle location (AVL) is a computer-based system used for tracking vehicles, primarily transit buses but also fleets of trucks (see freight) and automobiles. For transit, the actual real-time position of each vehicle is determined and relayed to a control center. Transit agencies often incorporate AVL with other operational functions such as computer-aided dispatch, mobile data terminals and emergency alarms. Increasingly, transit agencies are also using AVL for services that directly benefit riders such as

Real-time passenger information Automatic passenger counters Automated fare payment systems

Other components that may be integrated with AVL systems include

Automatic stop announcements Automated destination signs Vehicle component monitoring Traffic signal priority

AVL systems are computer-based vehicle tracking systems that function by measuring the real-time position of each vehicle and relaying the information back to central location. They are used most frequently to identify the location coordination of vehicles in order to better satisfy demand. They also serve to provide location coordinates to respond to emergency situations. The location technologies found on AVL systems are usually one of the following, but can also be used in combination: Global Positioning System (GPS); Signpost and Odometer interpolation, both active and passive; Ground-Based Radio, such as Loran c; and Dead Reckoning The benefits of AVL include: Improved dispatch and operational efficiency; Improved overall reliability of service; Quicker responses to disruptions in service, such as vehicle failure or unexpected congestions; Quicker response to threats of criminal activity (via silent alarm activation by the driver); and Extensive information provided at a lower cost for future planning purposes. 5.8 Automated Highway Systems (AHS) An automated highway system (AHS) or Smart Road is a proposed ITS technology designed to provide for driverless cars on specific rights-of-way. It is most often touted as a means of traffic congestion relief, since it drastically reduces following distances and thus allows more cars to occupy a given stretch of road. In one scheme, the roadway has magnetized stainless-steel spikes driven one meter apart in its center. The car senses the spikes to measure its speed and locate the center of the lane. Furthermore, the spikes can have either magnetic north or magnetic south facing up. The roadway thus has small amounts of digital data describing interchanges, recommended speeds, etc. The cars have power steering and automatic speed controls, which are controlled by a computer. The cars organize themselves into

platoons of eight to twenty-five cars. The platoons drive themselves a meter apart, so that air resistance is minimized. The distance between platoons is the conventional breaking distance. If anything goes wrong, the maximum number of harmed cars should be one platoon. An automated highway system (AHS) refers to a specially equipped highway lane in which vehicles are automatically controlled; that is, the vehicles steering, brakes and throttle are controlled by the system, not the driver. Vehiclemounted sensors are used to judge the vehicles position by visual data on the lane marking. It then uses this information to steer the vehicle. The system keeps the vehicle in the same lane provided it senses no obstacles in the road ahead. If it detects a slow-moving vehicle ahead, it directs the vehicle to change lanes, provided the way is clear. Once it has overtaken the obstacle, the system returns the vehicle to the original lane. If the next lane is occupied, the system slows the vehicle to maintain a safe braking distance. If a vehicle ahead has come to a stop, the vehicle is smoothly brought to a stop. The AHS lanes and the vehicles that operate on them are likely to have special sensors, computers and communications devices to permit the automated control. To travel on an AHS, a driver of an AHS-equipped vehicle might pull into the designated lanes, perhaps similar to some of todays high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. 5.9 Global Positioning System (GPS) The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based radio navigation system that provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to civilian users on a continuous worldwide basis -- freely available to all. For anyone with a GPS receiver, the system will provide location and time. GPS provides accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather, day and night, anywhere in the world. The GPS is made up of three parts: satellites orbiting the Earth; control and monitoring stations on Earth; and the GPS receivers owned by users. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers. Each GPS receiver then provides three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus the time. Equipped with these GPS receivers, users can accurately locate

where they are and easily navigate to where they want to go. GPS enables automatic vehicle location and in-vehicle navigation systems that are widely used throughout the world today. By combining GPS position technology with systems that can display geographic information or with systems that can automatically transmit data to display screens or computers, a new dimension in surface transportation is realized. A geographic information system (GIS) stores, analyzes, and displays geographically referenced information provided in large part by GPS. Today GIS is used to monitor vehicle location, making possible effective strategies that can keep transit vehicles on schedule and inform passengers of precise arrival times. 5.10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides a current, spatial, visual representation of transit operations. It is a special type of computerized database management system in which geographic databases are related to one via a common set of location coordinates. This allows information to be developed and displayed to assist operators, dispatchers, and street supervisors to make on the spot decisions, and to assist planners in service assessment, restructuring and development. GIS is most often used for: Transportation planning and modelling; Demographic analysis; Route planning, analysis and restructuring; Bus dispatch and scheduling; Bus stop and facility inventory; Ridership analysis; AVL and monitoring; Para transit scheduling and routing; and Accident reporting and analysis. 5.11 Traffic Surveillance Traffic surveillance technologies play an essential role in incident detection, traffic management, and travel time collection. There are two basic types of traffic

surveillance systems: road-based and vehicle-based. Road-based detection systems like inductive loop detectors have been a principal element of freeway surveillance and incident detection for many years. Similarly, video image detection and other roadside detection technologies have been used extensively to measure high-volume traffic conditions. However, advances in vehicle sensors and detection algorithms have given transportation authorities the opportunity to implement or enhance vehicle-based surveillance systems. Vehicle-based traffic surveillance systems involve probe vehicles equipped with tracking devices, such as transponders, that allow the vehicles to be tracked by a central computer facility. Though not yet in wide use, these systems show promise of providing rich data on travel times and as a means to detect incidents. Surveillance of intersections, ramps and tunnels, incident detection or verification, and replacement of traffic signal loop sensors is an increasingly popular ITS tool. Lately, communities have been installing cameras on traffic signals to record the license plates of cars whose drivers run a red light. All of these applications require distance between the site where the information is collected and the location where the information gets stored. Video transmission that incorporates 2-way data has grown as an ITS application. Vehicles with speed violations can be captured along with registration numbers using this system at places like mid block, junctions, etc. Automatic detection of unauthorized vehicles on restricted corridors and parking areas are possible, which improves the traffic control and safety. These are some of the applications of this system. 5.12 Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) & Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC) The automatic vehicle identification (AVI) component of an electronic toll collection (ETC) system determines vehicle ownership for charging purposes. Generally, tolls are differentiated by vehicle class. A vehicles class can be determined by the physical attributes of the vehicle, the number of occupants in the vehicle, the vehicles emissions, and the purpose for which the vehicle is being used at the time of classification (or some combination of these determinants). Some toll

agencies use as many as 15 or more vehicle classes to assess tolls, although for ETC applications. Announcing stops, transfer possibilities, based on the vehicle's location, route, and direction of travel. Information via variable message signs placed at one or more locations in the bus. motivated by support for the disabled, helpful for those unfamiliar with the route, when the bus is crowded, and when it is difficult to see outside the vehicle. Provides news and weather, video clips, and other travel related information on a flat panel display. To classify a vehicle, a variety of vehicle sensors are used. Treadles count the number of axles as a vehicle passes over them. Light-curtains and laser profilers record the shape of the vehicle, which can help distinguish trucks and trailers. Advanced Inductive Loop sensors embedded in the road surface can determine length, speed, and number of axles of vehicles at highway speeds. 5.13 Automatic Number Plate recognition (ANPR) Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is sometimes known by various other terms: automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), automatic vehicle identification (AVI), car plate recognition (CPR), license plate recognition (LPR), or electronic number plate (ENP) recognition. ANPR is used for ETC enforcement as well as identification-for-tollingpurposes. ANPR uses optical character recognition (OCR) on to read images taken of vehicle license plates. The cameras used can include existing road-rule enforcement or closed-circuit television cameras as well as mobile units which are usually attached to vehicles. Some systems use infrared cameras to take a clearer image of the plates. Some license plate arrangements use variations in font sizes and positioning ANPR systems must be able to cope with such differences in order to be truly effective. More complicated systems can cope with international variants, though many programs are individually tailored to each country.

6. APPLICATIONS OF ITS
6.1 Emergency Vehicle Notification Systems The in-vehicle eCall is an emergency call generated either manually by the vehicle occupants or automatically via activation of in-vehicle sensors after an accident. When activated, the in-vehicle eCall device will establish an emergency call carrying both voice and data directly to the nearest emergency point (normally the nearest E1-1-2 Public-safety answering point, PSAP). The voice call enables the vehicle occupant to communicate with the trained eCall operator. At the same time, a minimum set of data will be sent to the eCall operator receiving the voice call. The minimum set of data contains information about the incident, including time, precise location, the direction the vehicle was traveling, and vehicle identification. The pan-European eCall aims to be operative for all new type-approved vehicles as a standard option. Depending on the manufacturer of the eCall system, it could be mobile phone based (Bluetooth connection to an in-vehicle interface), an integrated eCall device, or a functionality of a broader system like navigation, Telematics device, or tolling device. eCall is expected to be offered, at earliest, by the end of 2010, pending standardization by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute and commitment from large EU member states such as France and the United Kingdom. 6.2 Automatic Road Enforcement A traffic enforcement camera system, consisting of a camera and a vehiclemonitoring device, is used to detect and identify vehicles disobeying a speed limit or some other road legal requirement and automatically ticket offenders based on the license plate number. Traffic tickets are sent by mail. Applications include:

Speed cameras that identify vehicles traveling over the legal speed limit. Many such devices use radar to detect a vehicle's speed or electromagnetic loops buried in each lane of the road.

Red light cameras that detect vehicles that cross a stop line or designated stopping place while a red traffic light is showing. Bus lane cameras that identify vehicles traveling in lanes reserved for buses. In some jurisdictions, bus lanes can also be used by taxis or vehicles engaged in car pooling.

Level crossing cameras that identify vehicles crossing railways at grade Double white line cameras that identify vehicles crossing these lines.

illegally.

High-occupancy vehicle lane cameras for that identify vehicles violating HOV requirements. Turn cameras at intersections where specific turns are prohibited on red. This type of camera is mostly used in cities or heavy populated areas.

6.3 Variable Speed Limits Recently some jurisdictions have begun experimenting with variable speed limits that change with road congestion and other factors. Typically such speed limits only change to decline during poor conditions, rather than being improved in good ones. One example is on Britain's M25 motorway, which circumnavigates London. On the most heavily-traveled 14-mile (23 km) section (junction 10 to 16) of the M25 variable speed limits combined with automated enforcement have been in force since 1995. Initial results indicated savings in journey times, smoother-flowing traffic, and a fall in the number of accidents, so the implementation was made permanent in 1997. Further trials on the M25 have been thus far proved inconclusive. 6.4 Collision Avoidance Systems Japan has installed sensors on its highways to notify motorists that a car is stalled ahead. To improve the ability of drivers to avoid accidents, vehicle-mounted collision warning systems (CWS) continue to be tested and deployed. These applications use a variety of sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings and alert

the driver of conditions that could lead to a collision. Examples include forward collision warning, obstacle detection, and road departure warning systems. 6.5 Dynamic Traffic Light Sequence Intelligent RFID traffic control has been developed for dynamic traffic light sequence. It circumvents or avoids problems that usually arise with systems that use image processing and beam interruption techniques. RFID technology with appropriate algorithm and database were applied to a multi vehicle, multi lane and multi road junction area to provide an efficient time management scheme. A dynamic time schedule was worked out for the passage of each column. The simulation has shown that, the dynamic sequence algorithm has the ability to intelligently adjust itself even with the presence of some extreme cases. The real time operation of the system able to emulate the judgment of a traffic policeman on duty, by considering the number of vehicles in each column and the routing proprieties. 6.6 Roadway Operations And Maintenance ITS applications in operations and maintenance focus on integrated management of maintenance fleets, specialized service vehicles, hazardous road conditions remediation, and work zone mobility and safety. These applications monitor, analyze, and disseminate roadway and infrastructure data for operational, maintenance, and managerial uses. ITS can help secure the safety of workers and travelers in a work zone while facilitating traffic flow through and around the construction area. This is often achieved through the temporary deployment of other ITS services, such as elements of traffic management and incident management programs. 6.7 Road Weather Management Road weather management activities include road weather information systems (RWIS), winter maintenance technologies, and coordination of operations within and between state DOTs. ITS applications assist with the monitoring and forecasting of roadway and atmospheric conditions, dissemination of weather-

related information to travelers, weather-related traffic control measures such as variable speed limits, and both fixed and mobile winter maintenance activities. 6.8 Intermodal Freight ITS can facilitate the safe, efficient, secure, and seamless movement of freight. Applications being deployed provide for tracking of freight and carrier assets such as containers and chassis, and improve the efficiency of freight terminal processes, drayage operations, and international border crossings. 6.9 Driver Assistance Systems Numerous intelligent vehicle technologies exist to assist the driver in operating the vehicle safely. Systems are available to aid with navigation, while others, such as vision enhancement and speed control systems, are intended to facilitate safe driving during adverse conditions. Other systems assist with difficult driving tasks such as transit and commercial vehicle docking. 6.10 Collision Notification System In an effort to improve response times and save lives, collision notification systems have been designed to detect and report the location and severity of incidents to agencies and services responsible for coordinating appropriate emergency response actions. These systems can be activated manually (Mayday), or automatically with automatic collision notification (ACN), and advanced systems may transmit information on the type of crash, number of passengers, and the likelihood of injuries.

7. BENEFITS OF ITS
ITS initiatives in industrialized countries have clearly identified a number of benefits associated with such projects. Even though ITS projects are implemented with specific objectives with specific benefits in mind, the overall benefits to the society may prove to be quite substantial in many cases. For example, Torontos COMPASS Freeway Traffic Management System, one of the first and successful ITS projects in the world has been subjected to a great deal of scrutiny to evaluate its

benefits. COMPASS has been found to reduce the incident response times from 86 minutes to 30 minutes, the overall vehicle delay by 5.3 million vehicle-hours per year, the overall emission by 3,100 tones per year and the operating costs of commercial vehicles by $55 million per year. Cities in the United States have reported a reduction in travel times by 25% after implementing appropriate ITS initiatives. The following is a list of identified benefits of ITS projects: Reduced rush hour congestion and delay Increased safety and personal security Time savings and operation efficiencies Reduced fuel consumption and emissions Improved customer service and reduced frustration Reduced road accidents and fatalities and Enhanced economic productivity Improved energy efficiency and reduced impacts on the environment Less government, traveller, and operator costs Instance tracking of any vehicle Identification and location of any vehicles involved in crimes, tax default vehicles, accident involved vehicles and stolen vehicles Message to any number of vehicles in almost no time Easy traffic diversion Effective enforcement with less manpower and cheaper enforcement cost 100% accurate tool collection Easy instant toll payment Easy border crossing Safety requirements and anti-collision devices integration Fleet management at low cost Anti-theft systems Greater user acceptance Better travel information Better planning information

The European ITS applications have quantified a number of benefits. Some of them are: 30% reduction accidents 25% reduction in travel time for all vehicle users 21% increase in motorway speeds 12% improvement in car survival rates 10% reduction in CO2 emission 70% of road users were satisfied with the services 90% of the drivers reported improved comfort and reduced stress

8. DISADVANTAGES OF ITS
Some of the limitations of ITS are: Difficult to use in mixed traffic Preliminary difficulties in understanding ITS equipments are costly The control system software could be hacked by hackers

9. ITS IN INDIA
In India, not much development in ITS has taken place so far. The very first equipment to be used in Indian environment was electronic toll collection along the newly created expressways viz., Delhi-Noida, Ahmedabad-Mehasana, Mumbai-pune, expressways which is functioning satisfactorily. Initiatives are being taken in this field of transportation in India to make the system fast, reliable and safe. Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) are being implemented in NH between Kotputli-Jaipur and Jaipur-Kishangarh and Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Other proposed roads are Ahmadabad-Vadodara Expressway, Agra-Gwalior section of NH-3, TambaramTindivanam section of NH-45 and Nellore-Chilkaluripet of NH-5. But all these initiatives are for a particular road but very little advancements are being done when it comes to a city or town where the problem is more persistent. Thus for cities, there can be a modification in the way traffic lights perform. Bus probes and taxi data

should be studied to see their fisibility to improve estimates of inner-urban travel times. Taxi data become an increasingly popular source of real-time traffic data to provide the general public with travel time estimates. Bus data are an alternative source that provide potentially more regular information but are limited to specific routes. The information from buses and taxies can be received at headquarters and sent back on the road through ATMS and ATIS or display board to enable drivers take suitable paths. This requires GPS receiver in buses and taxis only. So this can be a cheap solution rather than going for implementing GPS system in each vehicle. There is however a vast potential for its use for improvement of traffic flow and safety on our roads. What we need for the present day in India is to save the lives of innocent people from onslaught of accidents, which is termed as murder on wheels. This is because every year more than rupees 7000 crores are being spent as compensation from authorities. Using ITS, it is possible to save the lives of the victims by transferring them to trauma care centers within the golden hour. Almost, more than 1% of GDP is just paid as compensation. In developed countries, a portion of this type of amount is spent in advance to improve road, traffic and other related conditions to prevent accidents beforehand, which are termed as import cost. In India, accidents are allowed to take place and compensation is paid later which amounts to a greater magnitude, which is termed as export cost. In this direction, number of technically advanced systems are available in the developed countries, whereas this is always a question mark in developing countries particularly in India.What is needed in the present context is the mindset of policy and decision makers to use for Indian highways and problematic locations of urban areas. What ultimately is expected is co-operation from end user and the adaptation to the new system.

10. STANDARD ORGANIZATIONS FOR ITS

Some of the organizations which produce standards on ITS are: AASHTO(American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) ANSI (American National Standards Institute) APTA (American Public Transportation Association) ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)

11. CONCLUSION
With respect to the current traffic situation that world is facing today, ITS can be an effective and efficient solution. With the advancement of technologies and traffic and transportation management, ITS have shown its promise and many countries such as USA, Japan, Australia, Canada and many countries of Europe have embarked upon ITS. Statistics have shown that with the implementation of ITS in those countries, accident rates have decreased considerably and there is a great reduction of travel time as well. Moreover it has proved to be environment friendly. But these countries dont have lack of funds. Considering the fact, India needs a system, which is cost effective and efficient at the same time is also compatible with the present level of development in the country in related areas. ITS proved to be the optimal As in seen solution from to the enigma of has been and building

operating transport systems to meet expeditiously growing urban travel demand in developed countries. innovations information whether utilization the of preceding data sections, technological processing or the domain collection,

has been providing the impetus for ITS development.

Accompanying the benefits of better performance and cost effectiveness, these technological innovations give rise to the challenges of implementation (integration), support and funding. Scalability and adaptability to current and future local user needs are seen as the key factors influencing selection of the appropriate technology. The potential of ITS technologies in improving the efficiency of transportation sector in India appears to be very promising based on the experience of other countries. It is understood that a national strategic ITS plan for India is needed

for the effective development and deployment of ITS initiatives in India. A broad framework of such a plan is presented here to generate a discussion on the topic among transportation professionals and policy makers in India. The importance of professional cooperation in the area of ITS between the public and private sectors and the academia is also identified and a preliminary organizational set-up towards this end is presented in the form of ITS India.In India many infrastructural projects are under construction and some are still in planning stage. Some of the ITS technologies like AWS, ETC, fleet management, incident management can be applied to achieve an efficient transport system. Public transport that is almost monopolized in Indian cities can utilize ITS based technologies for their effective operation. Since ITS technology is as old 20 years in the world, India will have to pick up this for its updating and on par with developed countries in modern transportation requirements.