UTMC - the UK initiative for ITS: an update results of the first call, progress of the second call

To help address the problems arising from traffic in urban areas, the UK has developed the UTMC (urban traffic management and control) concept, framework approach for the implementation and operation of intelligent transport systems (ITS). The aim of this initiative is to bring to market open, modular systems that will support the management of transport into the 21st century. Standards are essential to achieving this aim and the approach adopted for UTMC is to develop and specify a framework of existing and emerging international and de facto standards. This paper reviews the background and aims of the UTMC initiative and the role standardisation plays. The UTMC Research programme is described and the projects resulting from the first call are presented. The progress of the second call is also reviewed. The paper concludes by looking at the immediate future for the UTMC framework approach to ITS implementation and operation.