Framework for Future Telematics Solutions
Requirements and General Framework
The general level of telematics implementation is low, especially in Latvia and Estonia. In terms of basic technical infrastructure (level of communication and computerisation) for telematics uptake, only countries like Czech Republic, Slovenia and Lithuania have a sufficient standard. The existence of local private sector suppliers, support and services has improved. Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania and Estonia are those countries with a satisfactory standard in this respect. The technical expertise on telematics applications needs improvement in almost all countries. Training sessions on telematics applications are either not existing or are organised only very rarely.A key condition for better transport telematics uptake is seen in the improvement of the overall management and co-operation between the transport authorities. In order to ensure well-managed and effective investments in transport infrastructure, the responsibilities of the institutions involved must be regulated and all strategic and financial decisions must be better co-ordinated. Many countries see the demand to develop a national programme for telematics (see Section 2.3.4 which summarises some of the existing initiatives).
Moreover, it is considered essential to provide and institutionalise education and training in telematics and technology management and to encourage information sharing and know-how transfer between all levels of transport organisations.
Another very important task authorities face is providing for appropriate technical, commercial and legal frameworks for public-private partnerships (PPP).
When strategies for better transport telematics uptake are developed, pilot projects should be implemented so that the cost and benefits of different telematics applications can be clearly demonstrated. Partners from locally managing organisations should be involved in the early stages and during the implementation of the projects and information dissemination.
Central and east European authorities are becoming more and more aware
of the need for an integrated transport policy and its importance for ensuring
a better quality of life, including environmental improvements. In order
to find the appropriate solutions of traffic management, CEE authorities
are starting to realise, that they have to consider the behaviour of transport
network users and the multi-faceted sources of urban traffic problems.
Obstacles to Telematics Uptake
Obstacles to telematics uptake are quite similar in all CEE countries. The major obstacle to the more widespread use of telematics applications is perceived to be the lack of funding. The limited funds for transport infrastructure in central and east European states are mainly needed for the reconstruction, improvement and maintenance of basic transport infrastructure (roads and railways), for new vehicles or for subsidies to cover operating costs. Awareness of the advantages of advanced information and communication technologies for the transport field is limited due to the fact, that the effects and benefits of telematics use is difficult to measure in short term. Technological solutions are often considered to be expensive and ineffective. As a result, investments in telematics applications are not seen as a priority.Other important obstacles are the lack of qualified staff and institutional
problems. The low incomes in public administrations has led to a "brain
drain" of young and qualified staff to the private sector. As a consequence
there is a lower level of expertise at technical and management executive
level in public institutions. The implementation of modern information
technologies is often hindered by inefficient co-ordination of the institutions
involved.
Priority Systems and Applications
CEE authorities however conceive the growing importance of modern technologies in all fields of transport planning and management. Telematics is increasingly seen as a useful tool to support the analysis of actual conditions of road and public transport networks and to develop scenarios of how to improve these networks in the most effective way. Telematics is considered to be a key factor for better control and management of traffic flows. However, clear ideas on the major future priorities for telematics use usually do not formally exist.A number of cities would like to improve their data collection systems. A key element for collective and individual traffic control systems is the implementation of traffic data collection systems and centralised data bases. These systems shall include records from road inspectors, information about ongoing and expected road works, police accident records, traffic signal and sign inventory data. Furthermore they should comprise information on traffic intensity, speed, congestion and pollution as well as data on public transport vehicles in traffic streams and actual vs. scheduled position. A modern traffic data collection system should also provide for better traffic management and control and for transport and urban planning. Additionally, cities intend to provide real-time information on car traffic and public transport flow and the wider implementation of GIS technology for traffic monitoring often is a high priority.
The highest demand of transport telematics systems in the next years might arise for some basic applications of traffic management. For many cities there seems to be a clear demand for centralised and flexible traffic signal control systems, which allow the introduction of "green-wave sequences" or "priorities for public transportation modes." For road safety reasons and in order to reduce congestion, a number of cities are interested in using VMS which can provide real-time information on traffic incidents and speed limits. With respect to the increasing parking problems in cities, the interest for telematics systems for managing parking spaces is very likely to increase in future. In a few cities, a discussion about the implementation of electronic fee collection systems for entering or parking in a limited zone has started.
Moreover many cities seem to have a high demand for applications in the area of public transport vehicle control and monitoring. The benefit of telematics arising from improvement of public transport scheduling and provision of real-time information at stops and stations is considered to be very high.
The use of modern technologies for electronic ticketing and fare collection
is seen to be very effective, but the implementation of smart cards is
not of high priority, due to perceived high costs.
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
