The increasing digitalisation of transport offers many ways to sustainably enhance the user journey – reducing network congestion, improving safety and enhancing our ability to plan trips.

Through a connected ecosystem from highway signage to in-vehicle communications, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) deliver real-time information that creates more seamless journeys in a safer highway network. Arup’s transport specialists and digital consultants helped Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) plan and implement a country-wide ITS strategy. 

Across the five-year project, Arup’s specialists explored the interactions between transport, people, the environment and technology to ensure the sustainable management of the national 100,000km road network. We designed TII’s ITS deployment and procurement strategies while developing pilots and trials, as well as providing strategic and technical advice on capital projects.

Beyond the obvious user benefits, the data generated through the connected ITS ecosystem is also a key asset management tool, optimising operations and creating further value for asset owners and operators. TII, Ireland’s roads and light rail agency, adopted an integrated approach to ITS focused on strategy design alongside implementation plans, capitalising on the opportunities unlocked by evolving tech. The traffic data captured by ITS technology will assist with decision making for any requisite upgrades to create a future-ready transport network, making roads last longer by optimising travel routes and alleviating traffic congestion. 

Technology operations and project management 

Arup’s transport advisory consultants worked closely with TII to future-proof the road network by planning for emerging technologies, like Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) and Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM). Aligned with the EU’s ITS initiatives, Ireland’s ITS strategy will ensure that the transport network is well-equipped for future developments.  

In addition to boosting the efficiency and resilience of the transport network, road safety is another key outcome. Using technology to share data across Ireland’s extensive Variable Message Signs (VMS) network about collisions, congestion, speed warnings and weather conditions creates benefits for road users, operators and maintenance staff.  

Traffic sign in Ireland at night

To ensure that traffic information is presented clearly and consistently, our digital advisors and transport engineers helped TII to develop policy guidelines for Variable Message Signs (VMS).

Based on traffic conditions, VMS messages can provide information or direct drivers to change travel speed, lanes or divert to different routes. Take managing incidents as an example, where having the ability to direct vehicles to alternative routes reduces the likelihood of secondary incidents, as well as improving the efficiency of incident response. 

To ensure that traffic information is presented clearly and consistently, our digital advisors and transport engineers helped TII to develop policy guidelines for VMS messaging, with a focus on inclusive design regarding character sizes, colour and number of phrases. 

These guidelines will make it easier for traffic control centre operators to effectively communicate with road users, while helping drivers to quickly and safely respond to the information provided. 

As well as sharing information with the public, ITS gather vast amounts of data from the network using equipment including CCTV, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and Automatic Traffic Counter (ATC) sites. The information captured provides day-to-day benefits like calculating a number plate’s journey time between ANPR cameras at motorway junctions to share real-time estimates with road users, while also informing long-term transport planning. 

As C-ITS continues to develop, digital connectivity between vehicles or between vehicles and transport infrastructure will deliver greater safety benefits, including accident prevention, while optimising the road network through interventions including lane management, variable speed limits or issuing alternative travel routes. 

Arup is helping TII to prepare Ireland’s transport network to meet road users’ evolving needs. Developing both an ITS strategy and implementation plan provides a clear sustainable roadmap to enhance our transport infrastructure, which will improve people’s lives and support economic growth.

Pat Maher

Director of Network Management, Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Providing asset management support

Increasing the quantity of ITS equipment and expanding the range of systems deployed is key to sustainably managing the country’s road network. Arup’s transport specialists provided detailed design services on multiple capital projects, including on Cork’s N40 national road, where our digital and civil engineers advised on the optimal location for the equipment and managed the installation onsite. 

Helping TII to engage with stakeholders, including local authorities and the general public, has also been instrumental to the successful roll-out of ITS equipment nationwide. 

Combining preventative and reactive equipment maintenance is essential to the success of the ITS strategy. Arup’s transport and procurement experts helped TII to manage the existing equipment maintenance contract, including liaising with the maintenance contractor, tracking maintenance activities and providing updates on ITS equipment availability. 

With the aim of simplifying the maintenance process and ensuring value for money, Arup is also working with TII to manage the procurement process for a new maintenance contract, including mobilisation and transition.