The city of Stockholm has adopted BlipTrack queue and flow measurement technology from Denmark-based BLIP Systems. The system provides the city with travel times and flow data to help alleviate congestion and provide road users with real-time traffic information.
It is a passive form of traffic management; in essence, while driving around Stockholm with a switched-on Bluetooth or WiFi device, the driver is automatically funneling information into the pool.
Stockholm has now joined a host of other major cities, including Bangkok, Zürich, Auckland and Copenhagen, in using BlipTrack sensors to measure how road users travel and use the city´s roads.
Otto Astrand, traffic analyst at Trafik Stockholm, explained, “We use the collected data to display live travel times via Trafiken.nu, which is our traffic information hub, and on several VMS-signs placed around the city. The travel times help road users to make informed decisions about their journey, both in real-time and for those planning their daily commute.”
Travel times are continuously updated, in line with the actual behavior of road users; therefore, considering their route and the time they depart, motorists themselves are helping to reduce bottlenecks and keep the traffic moving.
The city has recently expanded the system to cover major roads north of Stockholm, as well.
