UTMC programme overview: emerging results, communication standards and the demonstration projects

The urban traffic management and control (UTMC) research programme is now about half way through its five year workplan. Launched in 1997, UTMC is the DETR's main initiative for the development of a more open approach to intelligent transport systems (ITS) in urban areas. The research projects to date have focused on key areas of the technical specification for UTMC systems. Much of that research is, or is close to being, complete. The results provide the basis for conclusions about UTMC standards in key areas, notably communications, and these are presented in this paper. The results are also being drawn together in the current Call 4 for large demonstration projects. These projects will implement aspects of complete UTMC functionality enabling the performance and benefits of the UTMC approach to be evaluated and demonstrated. This paper reviews progress to date leading to Call 4, describes its aims and looks ahead to the next year of activity in UTMC.