Signals, Signs and Minds

This spring all traffic signals and signs lead the way to Amsterdam for Intertraffic 2000, the international trade fair for the design, management and maintenance of traffic and transport infrastructures.

This year marks the 15th occasion that Amsterdam RAI has hosted the event, which takes place April 11-14 in the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre. The theme of the show, which is held every two years, is "Signalling the Future."

Preceding the trade fair will be a major two-day congress in the RAI Congress Centre, organized by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). In addition, the construction and project development trade fair BouwRAI 2000 will run simultaneously with Intertraffic Amsterdam 2000. Attendees can visit both trade fairs with the same entrance pass.

The success of the show in recent years has enabled show organizers to significantly enhance its international profile. Some 500 exhibitors, an increase of roughly 10% in comparison with 1998, are traveling from all parts of the world to put the latest technologies and equipment on display at the show.

Intertraffic is expected to attract an estimated 23,000 visitors, around 40% of whom will be coming from abroad. According to surveys, topping the list of areas of most interest to attendees were traffic information systems, closely followed by traffic control systems and road signs.

The first Intertraffic of the new millennium will give a clear indication of the extent to which the traffic and transport sectors have developed, including the growing role of electronics and ICT technologies as tools for steering traffic and transport in the right direction.

The show will comprehensively highlight the current state of affairs with regard to the management of moving and stationary traffic. Relevant program aspects include traffic signaling, road marking, traffic planning and urban development, inspection systems and equipment, and vehicle detection. Other items on the agenda include road construction and maintenance, street furniture, public lighting, infrastructure management systems, automation, ice and snow detection, parking systems, emergency services, public transport facilities and traffic information.

The exhibition will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. On Friday, the exhibition will be open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The unique Fipavo Pavilion will devote special attention to bicycle parking facilities—adding a typical Dutch flavor to an international trade fair. In addition, a number of foreign exhibitors have once again grouped themselves in seven national pavilions—France, Italy, Latin America, Spain, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Switzerland.

Intertraffic is more than just a trade fair. By organizing a parallel program of congresses and seminars, in addition to the exhibition program, the event as a whole has developed into an international platform for communication and exchanging know-how. A prime example of this strategy in action at Intertraffic 2000 is the two-day congress being held by the U.S.-based ITE. Other examples are the presentations by the European Parking Association.

According to show organizers, experience demonstrates that Intertraffic is especially well-attended by people actively working in the traffic and transport sector. Attendees come from advice bureaus, water boards, research and development institutes, transport companies and educational institutes, as well as governmental and semi-state controlled organizations, trade/industry and road construction.

In addition to the events outlined above, attention also will be given to daily practice. The road show to the Amsterdam ArenA Transferium focuses on a range of factors concerned with traffic technology and planning. Visitors will be able to experience in a daily environment those aspects that cannot be exhibited at the fair itself, allowing them to form their own opinions in the process. Put another way, this road show makes the "Transferium" concept tangible.

For more information, the Intertraffic website at www.intertraffic.com has again been organized to facilitate the exchange of information. The site contains details on both the exhibitors and the parallel program of congresses and seminars.