As already announced by Mayor Boris Johnson, SCOOT (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique) is playing a major role in reducing traffic delays across London, helping to improve Journey Time Reliability (JTR). TRL, in collaboration with UK traffic systems suppliers, developed the SCOOT urban traffic control system which is now co-owned by Peek Traffic Ltd, TRL and Siemens Traffic Controls Ltd.
The latest SCOOT MMX Service Pack 1 provides a facility to assist with improving the Journey Time Reliability (JTR) along critical routes. This was originally developed for Transport for London (TfL), where it is called JTR – GOLD (Journey Time Reliability – Games Operation Led Development), to assist them in controlling the journey along key corridors in London. Its first intended application was within the Olympic route network.
For many authorities, JTR is a key performance outcome along these corridors. There are many contributing components to JTR including planned interventions (such as roadworks and events) and unplanned occurrences (such as accidents).
To assist engineers in maintaining JTR, a facility has been developed to help them control the SCOOT link saturation level more effectively. It will be possible to specify a maximum level of saturation for a link or series of links (e.g. 80%) and SCOOT will attempt to maintain the degree of saturation at or below the specified level. This should provide a more outcome-based version of SCOOT.
Peek and Siemen’s are now integrating SCOOT MMX into their urban traffic control systems and they, along with TRL would like to acknowledge and thank their fellow SCOOT Steering Group Member, TfL, for investing in SCOOT to make this development a possibility.
TRL is at this year’s Intertraffic where visitors will be able to find out more about this latest SCOOT development including the new JTR functionality which is playing such a crucial role in keeping London moving. Visit stand 11.619
