Special traffic control system for events at the Memorial Center, and how it performed
M. Kitazawa · 2003
The purpose of this control system is to prevent and solve various problems accompanying a temporary increase of traffic around the Memorial Center Museum in Gifu Prefecture upon starting and ending the event. When an event is held, visitors are transported by special bus (shuttle bus) between the event museum and temporary parking lots and between the museum and Gifu Station. To operate shuttle buses smoothly, special bus lanes are designated for the occasion and the buses are regulated in various ways including the use of information signboards to control and guide the buses in the special lanes, and the control of traffic signals to prevent traffic jams of ordinary vehicles, as well as the shuttle buses. When regulating the special bus lanes, information on traffic regulation (guidance) is given to drivers automatically several hours before beginning regulation using traffic information signboards. To prevent and solve traffic congestion near the museum before and after an event traffic signals are controlled according to congestion conditions to ensure smooth traffic flows on the routes of the shuttle buses, and satisfactory effects have been obtained so far.