Providing real-time traffic information to the public

Background

Transport for London’s (TfL’s) aim is to ‘Keep London Moving’ by influencing the way people and goods move around the capital’s roads. Each day the 13,800km of London’s road network experiences some 21 million journeys (including 11 million car and motorcycle trips).

This volume of traffic is by itself a potential source of major congestion which can be further exacerbated by any number of planned and unplanned events including street works, accidents and other emergencies, public events, vehicle breakdowns and security alerts. 

When road users are made aware of congestion, the congestion itself eases.  Consulting Stream was commissioned by TfL to identify and implement ways in which their real time traffic information could be effectively delivered to the public.

Business Challenge

Our client faced issues of:

• Making traffic information available in an easy to understand and accessible manner to enable road users to make informed decisions about their routes and the times at which they travel
• Fulfilling its Network Management Duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which encourages traffic authorities to share information with drivers and passengers to enable them to plan their journeys more effectively
• Encouraging modal shift away from private car use

Our Approach

Consulting Stream played key roles in the design and development of TfL’s traffic information services and project managed the delivery of those services. 

We undertook an initial review of traffic information services offered by other ‘world class’ cities to set a benchmark against which any services for London should be set.  We also reviewed traffic information services within the UK in order to identify standards and interoperability requirements for the London service.

We made an assessment of available sources of real-time traffic information used operationally within TfL and their suitability for public use.  We evaluated third party software products and, after consultation with stakeholders, we project managed the in-house development the Traffic News website. 

Throughout this exercise, we worked closely with the Highways Agency (HA) with whom TfL now has reciprocal links.  This close liaison led to TfL participating in the HA’s Traffic Radio service.

Business Outcome

TfL was able to launch its Traffic News website (www.tfl.gov.uk/trafficnews) to professional road users in September 2006. Pilot implementations of the website were also developed as proof of concepts for PDA’s, mobile phones and for stand-alone kiosk displays in public areas.

TfL joined the Traffic Radio service in August 2007.  Traffic Radio is available on DAB and on the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk.

Consulting Stream worked with TfL to identify and recruit a permanent member of staff as Traffic Information Officer to whom the projects were subsequently handed over.

Service Provided:

• Market intelligence
• Service specification
• Technical assessment
• Website usability assessment
• Project management

Skills Deployed:

• Project management
• Stakeholder management
• Technical analysis
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Mobile devices
• Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)

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