Decision details

To inform and seek support on the progression of the Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy within the Council's Local Transport Plan.

1          That the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Strategy Implementation Plan be approved.

2          That the associated action plan (Annex 1) to the associated report be noted.

3          That the progression of ITS would be subject to the availability of associated funding and its approval as part of the Council’s budget process be noted..

The Borough’s current and future transport requirements place a significant reliance on ITS technology to ensure that the highway network can be managed effectively and is capable of accommodating the traffic growth associated with new development.  ITS expansion is key to the delivery of the Council’s transport objectives, and network management duties, around the delivery of highway capacity and congestion reduction.

The transport assessment work which supported the planning application for Bracknell Town Centre regeneration assumes the increased use of Urban Traffic Control (UTC), Real Time Information (RTI) and Variable Message (car park) Systems (VMS) described in this report.  Capital funding and commuted maintenance funding for their establishment and operation is included within the S106 agreement, which is subject to further negotiation.  The effective operation of Bracknell’s transport network will rely upon these systems to facilitate travel to the improved centre.  Progress towards implementing these systems is predominantly linked to the progress of town centre regeneration and some steps are already in place, however, opportunities for accelerated progress will continue to be explored given the resultant benefits of ITS.  As a result, it is now time to map out a path towards providing the necessary framework for further development in a proper strategy and action plan.

Not to progress the Borough’s ITS capability would compromise the delivery of key transport objectives, with consequential impacts on projects such as town centre regeneration and new housing site allocations.

None.