Navigation and service

HinweisCookies

This website uses cookies. These are used for intermediate storage during ordering or registration processes. Data such as frequency of use or behaviour are not recorded. Here you can find out more about data protection and possibilities for contradiction.

OK

Traffic management systems on Federal Highways

The picture shows a section management system

Traffic management systems are use on federal highways for the purpose of increasing traffic safety and improving traffic flow. By preventing congestion, traffic management systems also contribute to reducing both the environmental pollution caused by road traffic and losses of time and energy.

For this purpose, various types of systems are used that – depending on the location used or the area of operation – can be divided into:

• Network management systems
• Section management systems
• Systems for the temporary release of hard shoulder for traffic
• Node management systems
• Ramp control systems
• Local, cross-section-based systems

Network management systems

Network management systems are used in the event of congestion on the main route to direct the traffic on to less congested alternative routes in the network. Car drivers receive this information via variable direction signs, which display a detour recommendation. Variable direction signs containing dynamic road signs with integrated information on congestion (known by the initials dWiSta, for short) have been available for several years, and – in addition to diversion recommendations – can be used to display additional information on the type of problem causing the congestion and the length of the congestion. Variable direction signs are currently used on some 200 motorway junctions or interchanges for the purpose of network management.

Section management systems

Section management systems consist of dynamic road traffic signs, which warn of dangers such as congestion, accidents or restrictions caused by the weather and prescribe variable speed restrictions adapted to the situation or bans on overtaking as well as provide information on lane closures and re-openings. By this means, traffic flow can be harmonised and the development of congestion prevented. The systems are controlled on the basis of automatically recorded traffic and road-related data (for example traffic flow and weather data). Some 9% of motorways (with an approx. length of 2,280 kilometres) are currently controlled by means of section management systems.

Systems for the temporary release of hard shoulder for traffic

Systems for the temporary release of hard shoulder for traffic can be used on regularly congested motorways in order to enable the use of the hard shoulder in peak periods, thus making an additional road lane available when required. Although the release of hard shoulder for traffic is usually combined with route guidance systems, they can also be set up as separate systems. At the present time, some 210 kilometres of hard shoulder can be used with this system.

Node management systems

Node management systems allow the prevention of congestion at heavily used junctions. At motorway junctions, for example, the individual road lanes can be allocated to the strongest flows – depending on the actual situation. In this manner, it is possible not only to improve the traffic flow but also reduce the number of lane changes necessary for drivers and thus the risk of accidents.

Ramp control systems

Ramp control systems at interchanges represent another form of junction guidance system. The use of traffic light systems in the motorway approach roads enables the traffic flow to be controlled so that only one or two vehicles at a time can drive onto the motorway, while other vehicles follow in a sufficient interval. This facilitates the merging of vehicles onto the motorway as well as making the traffic flow on the main route more uniform. Ramp control systems are currently in operation at some 100 locations.

Local, cross-section-based systems

Included in local, cross-section-based systems are speed warning systems and congestion warning systems. These are used to a limited extent in front of particularly dangerous sections of road on a temporary or permanent basis.

Road transport telematics project plan

The picture shows a map Project Plan for Road Traffic Telematics 2015, date: 31/08/2012

The realisation of further traffic control systems ensues as part of the "2015 Road transport telematics project plan", set up in 2011, which envisages the installation of a further 90 network management systems, 1,000 kilometres of section management systems, 350 kilometres of hard shoulder released for traffic as well as 30 ramp control systems by 2015.

Project realisation will also depend on – amongst other things – the planning progress as well as on whether particular consideration shall be given to noise reduction.