Fact Sheet 24 - Intelligent transport systems

The National Road Safety Strategy estimated that a 2% reduction in Australia’s road fatality rate per 100,000 population by 2010 could be achieved through new technology to reduce human error (Australian Transport Council 2003).

"Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) improve road safety through the design and manufacture of vehicles and the road environment. This includes information processing, communications, sensing and computer control technologies" (Queensland Transport 2006, p14).

The use of technology to reduce the role of human error in road crashes is ever increasing, particularly at the prestige end of the vehicle market. The good news is that many of these technologies filter down into the rest of the new vehicle range over time, e.g., electronic stability control.

A range of intelligent vehicle applications, such as distance warning systems, collision warning systems, black box recording systems, seatbelt warning and alcohol ignition interlock devices, as well as other safety technologies, are currently available and these technologies may spread to more new vehicles over coming years.

One major development in intelligent transport systems is intelligent speed assistance (ISA), which "refers to a collection of technologies which assist the driver in the task of speed control. At its core is the principle that the vehicle is aware of the prevailing speed limit and gives the driver feedback, and in some cases restrict[s] engine throttle control, to keep the vehicle at or under the speed limit" (European Transport Safety Council 2008, p12). European research suggests that ISA could be one of the best value in-vehicle road safety technologies in terms of life-saving potential, second only to alcohol ignition interlocks (European Transport Safety Council 2008, p13).

However, at the same time as technologies that have the potential to reduce road trauma are being developed, so too are other technologies that provide in-vehicle entertainment and information for drivers.

While a range of technological advancements will be available in the future, the impact that these may have on the driver in terms of distraction is emerging as another area of concern among road safety practitioners.

Appropriate Australian guidelines and design rules will be needed to ensure that in-vehicle devices in new cars do not have a negative effect on road safety. With all of the in-vehicle safety devices that require driver interaction it is important that motorists are not distracted from their primary task of driving safely.

Over recent years road users have become used to having access to information about hazards, congestion and other traffic and safety issues through radio and variable message signs. Technology is now developing to the extent that in-vehicle devices can be updated with up-to-the-minute information on hazards, traffic conditions and/or delays from subscription services before or while the driver is en route.

While there have been trials of many safety systems, such as intelligent speed signs and warnings, their wider application depends on government investment in, and commitment to, using ITS technologies with proven road safety benefits.

A number of motorways in Queensland (the first being the Gateway Motorway in 2009) will soon make use of a concept for variable speed limits and lane control similar to European practice, with signs installed over carriageways or on gantries showing speed limits for open lanes and red crosses for closed lanes (International Standards Organization Technical Committee 204 2008, p3). This system should help to manage operating speed and traffic flow rates, reduce the risk and severity of crashes, and manage speed during poor weather (International Standards Organization Technical Committee 204 2008, p3).

Queensland is also trialling gas bubble detectors to check water level height on flood-prone sections of Bruce Highway between Mackay and Proserpine and activate warning signs in conjunction with radio/SMS messages (International Standards Organization Technical Committee 204 2008, p6).

Importantly, however, as more technologically advanced communication and information systems are being introduced to our vehicles and roads, authorities and drivers must take care to avoid introducing more sources of distraction either inside or outside the vehicle.

Priorities: Intelligent transport systems

1. Ensure that Australian guidelines and design rules developed for in-vehicle ITS devices have a positive impact on driver performance and road safety.
   
   
2. Fast-track proven ITS technology that informs motorists about prevailing road and traffic conditions, e.g., early detection of hazards, navigation, incident management, travel time updates.
   
   
3. Require all after-market and original equipment GPS/navigation systems to mark and display warnings for all railway level crossings.
   
   
4. Fast-track the use of proven ITS technology in vehicles to monitor and assist drivers, e.g., intelligent speed adaptation, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, approach of emergency vehicles warnings, alcohol and seatbelt interlocks.
   
   
5. Ensure that road and vehicle-based ITS are mutually compatible.
   
   
6. Educate road users on how to use ITS devices and systems safely.
   
   
7. Continue research into new intelligent transport systems with potential road safety benefits.

References

European Transport Safety Council 2008, ShLOW! Show me How Slow: Reducing Excessive and Inappropriate Speed Now: a Toolkit, European Transport Safety Council, Brussels, Belgium.

International Standards Organization Technical Committee 204 2008, Working Group 9 Meeting: 10& 11 November 2008, Ottawa Canada: Australian Report 204WG9N0062, Vicroads, Kew, Victoria, Australia.

Queensland Transport 2006, Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2006-2007: safe4life, Queensland Government, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Contact

For more information contact RACQ Traffic and Safety on 1300 853 658 or 07 3872 8925, or email traffic@racq.com.au.