ROMANCE in the Upper High Street - TrustNews June 2008
Romance in the Upper High Street? Hard to believe, isn't it? But ROMANSE? Yes. If you don't know what lurks behind the discreet plate on the door of number 5, you will be no wiser but a small group of Trust Council members were privileged to visit the Romanse control room recently and get the inside story.
Romanse stands for "Road Management System for Europe" which began as a research project, funded by the EU, initially based in Southampton and later also established in Winchester by Hampshire County Council. Behind that discreet door is a hi-tech control room, equipped with computers video walls and communication desks overseen by two controllers. The screens show not just the roads in and around Winchester but across Hampshire and further afield. Here they monitor traffic flows at many locations and respond to problems and incidents.
The Romanse unit's work covers three main areas, traffic and traffic signal monitoring, information for drivers, and public transport information. The staff work closely with the police, the local radio stations and the Highways Agency to ensure that up to date information is available to the public through radio, TV, variable message signs, commercial information systems like Traffic Master and websites. The car park occupancy signs and the bus stop information signs are also managed from this control room.
Every set of traffic signals is connected to the centre and even if one bulb goes out an alarm sounds straight away. If problems arise such as an accident or broken down vehicle the signal phasing can be overridden to suit. Of particular interest to the Trust members was how the traffic signals are phased. The group was given an explanation of how the UTC (Urban Traffic Control) computer links the signals and optimises the demands of traffic and pedestrians. Inevitably neither drivers nor pedestrians get the priority they desire but it was explained that the primary function of signals is road safety rather than simply maximising traffic flow.
The group found the visit very enlightening and it may be possible to arrange another visit for Trust members in the future. If you are interested please contact the Secretary at the Heritage Centre.
Further information about Romanse and live traffic information can be found at http://www.romanse.org.uk/winchester.htm