SCATS®
Urban Traffic Control
Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS®)(registered trade mark and a product of the Road and Traffic Authority of NSW) uses a responsive approach to urban traffic control by measuring current conditions and then adjusting Cycle Lengths, Splits, and Offsets.
It’s real–time response to ever changing traffic conditions ensures the most appropriate traffic signal phasing to safely direct traffic through intersections.
Using sensors implanted in the roadway, and by sending instructions to traffic signal controllers to direct signal phasing, SCATS® automatically maximises traffic throughput, minimises delays, and minimises the number of stops en route.
SCATS® does not require operator intervention for its day-to-day operation.
However, operators have instant access to road information enabling fast response times to solve traffic problems.
Developed in Sydney, Australia by the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (RTA), this Windows NT®- based solution employs a
very sophisticated and easy-to-use interface. Tyco has secured exclusive rights from the RTA to install SCATS® around the world. We can supply, support, and implement the SCATS® system, as well as provide comprehensive training.
Adaptive
SCATS® adapts itself to the demands of ever changing traffic flows. For instance, it can adopt a strategy to clear sudden and unpredictable traffic loads such as sports and concert event audiences. It also monitors the gradual daily changes that occur with the onset and finish of peak periods, continuously adjusting traffic signal controllers to optimise flow.
One of the principal purposes of SCATS® is to provide automatic coordination between traffic signals, thus ensuring minimum overall stops and delays for road users.When an incident occurs that could restrict traffic flow, SCATS® automatically determines the best response for that situation.
At the Traffic Management Centre, operations staff are responsible for monitoring the overall system. They observe traffic flow using SCATS® software and – under exceptional circumstances – can manually override traffic signals to alter traffic flow.
Flexible
SCATS® is flexible in many ways.
It’s design allows for easy expansion — whether that be modular or incremental.
Other Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) integrate into SCATS® with ease.
Allows for part or all of the system to operate on fixed time plans, while a larger or smaller part of the system can operate under an adaptive control plan.
With such flexibility and modularity SCATS® keeps up with the ever changing traffic requirements of a town or city.
Fail–safe
Should communications be lost between SCATS® and a traffic signal controller, a comprehensive fall back plan ensures the coordinated control of surrounding intersections.
Emergency Service Vehicles
Emergency Service vehicles such as Fire and Ambulance can communicate their intended route to the Traffic Management Centre. Operations staff at the Traffic Management Centre enters the ntended route into SCATS® .
The system automatically changes traffic signal phasing to provide the emergency service vehicle with a ‘green wave’ corridor so that may reach their destination sooner.
Environmentally Friendly
With over twenty–three years of operation, SCATS® is a proven system that delivers real, measurable results. Independent studies reveal that SCATS® reduces:
Exhaust emissions by up to 7%
Petrol consumption by up to 12%
Traffic delays by up to 20%
Vehicle stops by up to 40%
SCATS® is installed in over 60 cities around the world,controlling more than 14,000 intersections.
Cost-Effective
Using SCATS® can reduce operational costs because it is self-calibrating, and it does not require on-going traffic surveys and manual creation of plans to ensure optimum traffic flow. Additionally, technical specialists are not required to maintain the system.
Windows Operating Environment
The SCATS® system employs Client–Server technology under the Windows® NT environment. There are two servers:
SCATS® Regional Server – providing wide-area adaptive traffic control functions and communications with up to a maximum of 250 traffic signal controllers.
SCATS® Central Manager (SCATS® CM) – providing centralised access, database, housekeeping, and route pre-emption functions across multiple SCATS® regions.
SCATS® can oversee up to 64 regions, controlling 16,000 intersections. More than adequate for any city. Operator workstations use client programs which connect via LAN, WAN, telephone, or GSM cellular. Note: For smaller installations, it is possible to run the
servers and the client on the same computer.