An ITS for accident prevention

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An ITS for accident prevention

Esplugues, Enrique Belda / Lopez, Vicente Ramon Tomas

The evolution of the technology has made possible the application of more sophisticated systems and knowledge models to traffic control and management, the Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS). The Intelligent Transport Systems can be grouped basically in three big sets, as the systems in charge of the road data capture information, including not only real time traffic parameters (density, speed, flow rates, etc) but also weather conditions and its influence in the traffic behavior (snow, wind, visibility, etc). Second, the systems in charge of the management, monitoring and integrating of traffic information with the data obtained by the group above. Third, the Information systems including Ontrip information (Variable Message Signs, RDS-TMC, SMS alerts, WAP, etc) and Pre-trip information (Internet, information points, teletext, etc). The evolution of the technology has made possible the application of more sophisticated systems to traffic engineering, the Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS). These systems allow organizations in charge of traffic control and management not only improve traffic flows but also road safety. This paper presents an ITS system developed by Direccion General de Trafico DGT. DGT is the Spanish organization in charge of traffic management and control. The system is a preventive system that forecast dangerous situations between vehicles. The results obtained once the system was installed have been positives and the accidents decreased in the area of system coverage.