Article
citation information:
Gorzelanczyk, P., Seweryn, B. Analysis of telematics
techniques in logistic transport management in cities. Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series
Transport. 2021, 112, 63-73. ISSN:
0209-3324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20858/sjsutst.2021.112.5.
Piotr
GORZELANCZYK[1], Bartlomiej SEWERYN[2]
ANALYSIS
OF TELEMATICS TECHNIQUES IN LOGISTIC TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT IN CITIES
Summary. The rapid increase in
the number of vehicles in cities and the intensity of their movement
necessitates the use of appropriate transport management solutions. Various
telematics techniques are used in logistics transport management in cities,
which are the basis for the functioning of telematics systems. This article
analyses selected telematics techniques used in logistics transport management
in cities and presents the developed concept of changes in logistics transport
management in the city of Piła, including the use of appropriate
telematics techniques. The existing telematics system in the city of Piła
and the proposed solutions were subjected to appropriate examination. This
study aimed to verify the quality of the current state of the system and learn
opinions on the proposed solutions that could be implemented in Piła,
considering the effects that could be achieved as a result of improving the
existing system. The survey method was used to obtain relevant information. The
questionnaire developed, containing the elements assumed in this study, was
addressed to respondents residing in Piła and its environs. The survey was
conducted in December 2020 and January 2021.
Keywords: telematics systems, transport management, city
of Piła
1. INTRODUCTION
Telematics techniques used in
logistics transport management in cities are becoming extremely important.
During the increasing demand for various types of transport and easier access
to means of transport, difficulties related to smooth movement increase. Huge
amounts of vehicles cause congestion, especially in the centres of large
cities. In addition, there is a limited number of parking spaces, which also
affects this condition, as drivers searching for free parking spaces often
drive vehicles around the city for a long time. This, of course, affects fuel
consumption, and thus, the operating costs of vehicles and the amount of
pollution they generate. Given this scenario, it is hard not to notice the
sense of using telematics techniques in the construction and operation of
telematics systems that significantly reduce the phenomenon of congestion,
travel time and have a positive impact on the behaviour and safety of road
users.
2. TELEMATIC SYSTEMS USED IN LOGISTIC TRANSPORT
MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED CITIES
Telematics systems used in logistics
transport management in cities are used not only abroad, but also in Poland. Of
particular interest are those that meet the requirements of intelligent
transport systems. Systems of this type used in Polish cities were analysed in
the study [16]. This problem was similarly raised in the following publications
[2, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 24].
One of such systems is the
Integrated Traffic Management System TRISTAR used in the Tri-City. This system
manages urban traffic using, among other systems: Road Traffic Control, Video
Surveillance, Measurement of Meteorological Parameters, Monitoring and
Supervision of Vehicle Traffic and Parking Information, as well as public
transport using the systems: Information for Passengers of Public Transport and
Traffic Management of Public Transport Vehicles [3, 9].
As part of this system, there are
variable message boards with important information for road users, boards
informing about the number of free parking spaces and boards at public transport
stops. In this system, collective transport has been given priority in traffic
lights at intersections [16].
Systems used in Szczecin are another
example of such solutions. There is a Traffic Management System (TMS)
consisting of a Traffic Management Centre and from the subsystems: Travel
Information, Motion Detection or Mobile Information, as well as the Central
System of Urban Transport Management (CUTMS), which includes, among other
systems: Fleet Management, Dynamic Passenger Information, Video Monitoring in
Vehicles, Counting Passenger Streams, Optimisation of Communication Network,
Location and Monitoring of Technical Vehicles Serving "Winter Action"
and Transport on Demand [1].
As part of TMS, variable content
boards present complex messages, road signs and diagrams to road users, while
variable content signs similarly present road signs and short information as
well [16]. CUTMS includes, among others, passenger information boards at stops,
an internet information system for mobile phones and multimedia information for
passengers in vehicles [1].
Further deliberations on telematics
in transport can be found in the following publications: [10, 13, 20-23].
3. TELEMATIC
TECHNIQUES USED IN THE LOGISTICS TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF PIŁA
The city's location on a national scale means that important
intersections of communication routes occur in it. Roads from the north of the
country to the south, to Poznań, Gorzów and further towards
Germany, and from Szczecin to Bydgoszcz and Warsaw intersect here [4]. There
are four categories of public roads in Piła: national roads, voivodship
roads, poviat roads and commune roads [5]. One of the most important elements
in the road infrastructure of the city of Piła is the beltway. In 2019,
the city had about 73,139 inhabitants [6].
Piła is a dynamically
developing centre. Due to its dynamic urbanisation, there is a visible increase
in the number of vehicles moving on the streets, causing congestion on city
streets, noise, and air quality. Appropriate traffic management in the city is,
therefore, a challenge for local authorities to tackle, in particular, ensuring
a smooth movement for residents, encouraging them to use public transport. In
the context of the "smart city" concept, an intelligent and
innovative city is also associated with intelligent and innovative urban
transport.
Negative results of the increase in
the number of passenger cars can be mitigated by efficient public transport,
which uses intelligent solutions. The city of Piła is currently
implementing a project of building and implementing a Dynamic Passenger
Information System (DPIS) in the city. This system will use GPS modules
installed in city buses, due to which it will be able to monitor their current
position. The elements that make up this system include [18]: 45 double-sided
electronic information boards, 5 info kiosks, DPIS on-board devices installed
in 46 MZK Piła buses, Data Centre equipment and Traffic Control Centre in
the depot, equipment for the position of an employee of municipal services
located in the Municipal Guard headquarters, a wireless communication system,
as well as a mobile application and a website presenting dynamic passenger
information.
The essence of an intelligent city is
the integration of its elements and the functions it offers. In line with this,
a project was initiated to create an Integrated Interchange Centre in Piła
(ITC). It will be located in the city centre by the VIVO gallery. This facility
will be located near the train and bus stations, besides, many public transport
lines connect at this point. ITC will be equipped with a bicycle shelter and
roofed bus stands, illuminated and heated by solar energy. The establishment of
ITC is to make it easier for residents and guests coming to the city to travel
by various means of transport while respecting the natural environment. The key
word for the implementation of this investment is "integrity", which
is why public, suburban and transit bus timetables will be merged, allowing
travellers to move smoothly. Interactive information kiosks and information
boards connected with DPIS [7] will support the devices, thereby supporting the
implementation of the assumed goals. A view of the planned Integrated
Interchange Centre is presented in Figure 1.
The aforementioned solutions were
preceded by the commissioning of the Video Monitoring Centre (VMC) in 2018,
constituting the first stage of the construction of the Integrated City
Management System (ICMS) [8].
As part of the second stage of the
ICMS construction, a system integrating signals and information for analysis,
processing and management will be built from the following subsystems:
intelligent traffic control system and traffic lights, two-way communication
with the "Traffic Engineer", Park & Ride and Bike & Ride
buffer car parks and intelligent street lighting and squares. With such a
system configuration, information about DPIS and ITC [8].
Fig. 1. View of the planned Integrated
Interchange Centre
Source: [7]
4. THE CONCEPT OF CHANGES IN THE LOGISTICS TRANSPORT
MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF SAW, CONSIDERING THE USE OF APPROPRIATE TELEMATIC
TECHNIQUES
One of the solutions that could be
implemented in Piła under this concept is the creation of a parking lot on
Staszica Square. The location of this car park is shown in Figure 2.
Fig. 2. Parking
location at Staszica Square in Piła
Source: authors’
study based on [17]
Of course, this would not be a
permanent solution as the square is for residents and not only a place where
various mass events take place. However, the square is empty during most days
of the year, providing a good base for parking in the city centre. Next to it
is the town hall, close by is also a train and bus station, VIVO gallery, two
large shopping points, and soon, the ITC. A square turned into a parking lot
would operate for a specified period. The character of the square remains
unchanged as it would perform its current function in the event of mass events.
However, in the remaining period, it would be possible to park on the square.
Such an opportunity to use the free space in such an attractive location would
significantly reduce the problems associated with the lack of parking spaces in
the city centre.
Another proposal associated with
parking spaces would be the use of variable content signs informing about the
number of free parking spaces. Such a solution could be in the centre of the
city, informing about free parking spaces located in the car parks at ITC, VIVO
gallery, Shopping Park and Plac Staszica. Visualisation of the use of variable
content signs informing about the number of free parking spaces together with
suggestions for the location of these signs is shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Fig. 3. Visualisation
of the variable content sign indicating the number of free parking spaces - the
sign is located on Staszica Square
Source: authors’ study based on [17]
Fig. 4. Visualisation
of the variable content sign indicating the number of free parking spaces - the
sign is located at Zygmunta street
Source: authors’
study based on [17]
The use of variable content signs
indicating the number of free parking spaces would contribute to limiting the
"circulation" of vehicles in the city by drivers to find a free
parking space. This would reduce the number of congestion generated in the
centre by drivers looking for a free parking space as they would receive
information on which parking lot they will find one. In addition, this
information would be transferred to mobile devices in the form of applications
and would be on the website of the transport management system in Piła.
Appropriate system configuration
would make it possible to use current and new solutions to implement
Intelligent Motion Control. It would be based on video detectors already
present in the city, located at intersections, monitoring and GPS transmitters
located in public transport buses, from which the obtained data on the exact
location of buses would be used not only to determine the exact time of their
arrival at the stop but also would send signals to the nearest intersections to
allow these buses run smoothly through the road junction. Undoubtedly, the use
of such a solution would reduce travel time, which would increase the
attractiveness of using public transport in the city.
By creating additional algorithms,
one could get a traffic light control system that would adapt to the current
road happenings in real-time. Thanks to such solutions, it would be possible to
create the green wave, which consists of smoothly covering the road by
maintaining a constant, prescribed speed. The system would optimise the
capacity of intersections and strive to minimise the number of stops and the
loss of time. It would analyse the situation at a given intersection on an
ongoing basis and at the moment when the given entrance to the intersection
would be more loaded, a green signal would be given to it, enabling
"discharging" of the piston. This solution could be implemented on
several streets in Piła.
The last interesting solution that
could be used in the city is to install time displays at intersections,
indicating the time left to change the light. The use of such a solution would
improve the safety of road users.
5. RESEARCH CONCERNING EXISTING AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
IN THE FIELD OF LOGISTIC TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF PIŁA
The survey method was used to obtain
relevant information. A survey questionnaire containing 17 questions was
prepared, including closed questions regarding basic information about the
respondent as well as other closed questions and one open question about the
studied issues. These were mainly questions with 'yes' or 'no' answers and the
scale of answers. A small-scale pilot study was made for the prepared
questionnaire to verify the correctness of the questionnaire preparation. After
minor modifications, the questionnaire was presented to individual respondents,
asking for a written answer. It was directed to respondents residing in the
city of Piła and its environs. The method of testing incidental
communities was used to select respondents. The survey was conducted in
December 2020 and January 2021. A total of 70 respondents participated in it.
The study aimed to verify the quality of the current state of the system and
learn about the respondents' opinions on the proposed solutions in the field of
logistic transport management that could be implemented in Piła. The
results of the survey were developed and presented on many charts.
Among the respondents participating
in the survey, 52.9% were women and 47.1% were men. The respondents were
divided into five age groups: under 18, 18-25, 26-35, 36-50
and over 50. The largest group consisted of people aged 18-25. The smallest
group were people under 18 years of age. The distribution of respondents in
individual age groups is shown in Figure 5.
Among the respondents participating in the survey, most live in
Piła, the rest were people living in the vicinity of Piła. The
distribution of respondents in terms of place of residence is shown in Figure
6.
Fig. 5. Distribution of respondents in individual
age groups
Source: authors’ study
Fig. 6. Distribution of respondents in terms
of place of residence
Source: authors’ study
In answer to the question: What type
of transport do you mainly use? most respondents said
a passenger car. This shows that a significant proportion of them use their own
means of transport. Public transport buses were another means of transport used
by the respondents. The distribution of answers to this question is shown in
Figure 7.
Fig. 7. Distribution of answers to the
question:
What type of transport do you mainly use?
Source: authors’ study
Since public transport plays an
important role in ensuring the mobility of residents, the question was asked:
Do you use public transport in Piła? The answers show that more than half
of the respondents do not use public transport (52.9%).
Telematics solutions are closely
related to road infrastructure, which is why the question was asked: How do you
assess the current road infrastructure in Piła? Concerning this question,
respondents had the opportunity to choose answers on a scale of 1 to 10, where
1 meant - weakly, while 10 - very good. Usually, the respondents indicated the
answer 8. The distribution of answers to this question is shown in Figure 8.
Fig. 8. Distribution of answers to the question:
How do you assess the current road infrastructure in Piła?
Source: authors’ study
In answer to the next question: Do
you think that the number of parking spaces in Piła is sufficient? most respondents stated that the number of parking spaces in
Piła is too small (75.7%).
Considering the solutions that can
be used in the city of Piła with the current infrastructure, the question
was asked: Do you think that the creation of the Park & Ride solution at
Staszica Square (Park & Ride - drivers leave their vehicles in designated
places and then change to public transport) will reduce the problems associated
with congestion in the city centre? The answers show that less than half of the
respondents believe that this solution will reduce these problems (48.6%).
To the question: Do you think that
the introduction of variable content signs indicating the number of free
parking spaces will contribute to reducing the phenomenon of crowded roads in
the city? The majority of the respondents responded positively (80%).
In connection with the DPIS
introduced in the city for public transport and the proposed extension of its
capabilities, the question was asked: Do you think that the introduction of
intelligent traffic control (the use of video detection to improve the passage
of emergency vehicles and public transport vehicles) will reduce congestion on
roads in Piła? A majority of the respondents answered this question
positively (87.1%).
Telematics solutions present a range
of possibilities to be used to fluidise traffic, which is why the question was
asked: Do you think that the introduction of a traffic light control system at
successive intersections to maintain smooth driving (green wave) would be a good
solution? The answers show that almost all the respondents believe that this
would be a good solution (97.1%).
The question was also asked: How do
you assess the degree of congestion in Piła? Regarding this question, the
respondents had the opportunity to choose answers on a scale of 1 to 10, where
1 was low and 10 was high. Most of the answers ranged from 5 to 8. The
distribution of answers to this question is shown in Figure 9.
Fig. 9. Distribution of answers to the
question:
How do you assess the degree of congestion in Piła?
Source: authors’ study
An important aspect is the safety of
road users, therefore, the question was asked: Do you think that the current
road layout and infrastructure in Piła provides a sufficient level of
safety for road users? The answers shows that the respondents have a different
opinion on this topic (52.9%).
An interesting idea becoming an
increasingly common solution is the introduction of time displays at
intersections informing drivers of a change in light colour, hence the question
was asked: Do you think that the introduction of time displays at intersections
(indicates how much time left to change the light) will improve the level
safety of road users? The answers show that most respondents believe that this
solution will improve the level of safety of road users (90%).
Following sustainable development,
an important element for the inhabitants of Piła is the natural
environment, therefore, the question was asked: Do you think that the phenomenon
of congested roads at peak times plays a significant role in the air quality in
Piła? The answers show that a significant proportion of respondents
believe that this phenomenon plays a significant role in the quality of air in
the city (77.1%).
It is not possible to introduce changes without the
proper actions of the local government, which aims to improve the road
situation in the city, therefore, the question was asked: Do you think that the
activities of the local government towards the proposed telematics solutions in
Piła (DPIS, ITC) will contribute to improving the traffic situation in the
city? Based on the answers, it can be stated that the majority of the
respondents believe that the current activities of the local government in
Piła will contribute to improving this situation (77.1%).
The last question was: Do you have
any comments about current / proposed telematics solutions? It was an open
question, to which respondents were to answer themselves, however, none of them
indicated any comments on the current / proposed telematics solutions presented
in the survey.
6. CONCLUSION
From the
content presented in this article, it appears that various telematics
techniques are used in logistic transport management in various cities. Aiming
to obtain the best possible telematics system in the given city, it is
necessary to verify the quality of the existing system and propose new
solutions. Of course, it is desirable to include in this process, the
recipients of the effects of such a system, that is, above all, the city's
residents and other people who may have contact with this system to learn their
opinions on this topic. This was done too. Accordingly, surveys were carried
out and the results of these studies were presented in the article. On this basis,
it can be concluded that a significant proportion of the respondents expressed
positive opinions on most of the proposed solutions that will contribute to
reducing the phenomenon of congestion, improving the safety of road users and
improving the air quality in the city of Piła.
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Received 18.04.2021; accepted in revised form 28.06.2021
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