The traffic and transport authorities united voluntary forum for providing integrated TTI services. Forum subscriptions are used to fund joint initiatives, which are implemented in stages by securing small achievable improvements in the context of longer term plans for common systems and flexible architectures.
The TRAFIKINFO forum members are the main public authorities and organisations concerned with traffic and travel in the city of Copenhagen. From an informal start in 1986, the group has continuously formalised its commitments and in 2001 agreed a common vision, and created an action plan for 2001 -2006. The largest of the projects is the TRAFIKINFO project, named after the forum, which involves demonstrating the effects of a range of ITS systems and services on the east-west corridor which connects the city centre, the suburbs, and the Trans-European road network route to Sweden.
The TRAFIKINFO forum aims to encourage more informed travel decisions and better use of infrastructure through integrated TTI services. The objectives are to improve the joint use and co- ordination of traffic information and services, and to be the forum for discussing and implementing joint activities and projects. The group has agreed a long-term vision.
The TRAFIKINFO project plan for 2002 -2006 involves developing small effective improvements and larger joint projects, all on one corridor.
The forum's activities cover a range of information services and the facilities and architectures to support them. The Internet site www.trafikinfo.dk provides dynamic traffic information and journey planning. The quality of traffic and travel information services and broadcasting have been improved through standardisation and co-ordination. Information on events and roadworks is co-ordinated on the web site. Users can obtain maps and a free subscription e-mail service tailored to individual routes. Traffic management services are also developing.
Transport decision makers set up the forum, seeking the benefits of collaboration. The forum is funded from members' subscriptions.
Private service providers will pay for any information they use. The forum is more successful now than it was initially, when the focus tended to be on individual interest at the expense of collaboration.
Individual forum members retain ownership of data and infrastructure. Services are free to the public. The role of the private sector is still limited, but Public-Private Partnerships are being investigated for infrastructure finance or added-value services.
TRAFIKINFO has stimulated service quality improvements and the development of new services based on a flexible data platform. The scope and scale of the work of the forum have increased dramatically since it was formed.
The motivation and commitment of individual decision-makers in the various transport authorities in the city have been key to setting up the forum and achieving improvements. Success has been attained by working in small stages which were easy for organisations to work with. Voluntary collaboration, securing support at all levels in the member organisations, and a common vision have all been key success factors.
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Keywords: traffic management, transport integration
