The future of traffic control devices - some fundamental issues

We have now reached a stage where developments in information technology offer a wide range of new options for traffic control strategies. If the potential benefits are to be realised, it is essential that the traffic engineering and safety community quickly come to a consensus about what these systems should do. The alternative is the introduction of automated enforcement systems which have a minimal impact in reducing collisions, and the rapid growth of in vehicle information systems in directions which it will be very difficult to control. Many of these systems are likely to be less than optimal, and difficult to integrate with systems provided as part of the road infrastructure. Any consensus arrived at must, of course, take into account an assessment of the cost effectiveness and public acceptability of the proposed systems.