ROMANSE Public Transport Information Systems

ROMANSE - Road Management System for Europe - is a multi-million pound pilot project based in Southampton, UK. It aims to use advanced transport telematics (ATT) to develop the city as a model for transport management systems across Europe. ROMANSE achieves this by providing real-time traffic and travel information to influence travel behaviour, increase the use of public transport, maximize the efficiency of the transport system and provide high-quality information for use in strategic policy decisions. The systems are still in their infancy and they are currently being expanded from pilot to demonstration status to enable the further dissemination of information to the travelling public. The ROMANSE project and associated initiatives are being developed to encompass all modes of transport of which only those specifically for public transport are mentioned in this paper. However, in its innovative use of new technology, it is managing to harness information and raise the quality of service for transport users. By presenting an up-market image for public transport, a clear signal can be shown that buses are not just for those who do not have access to private vehicles.