Opening a window [traffic control database]

The Desktop Services (DTS) provides the Highways Agency (HA) with a window on the ´state of the network´ as recorded by the Traffic Control Centre (TCC) database. Through this window the HA can view real-time traffic conditions and events graphically on a map, replay recorded data and view the results on the map, view all current events on the network and what is being done to manage them and generate ad hoc queries on the database to produce a wealth of real data to use in network simulations and models. Opening this window has been a long process. Collecting the requirements, prototyping the user interface and the technology to deliver the service have taken a long time but have resulted in a smart, user-friendly application that supplies a variety of information in an efficient manner. The paper tracks the development of the Desktop Services. The facilities provided by the application are shown, the problems associated with providing them are described along with the methods used to overcome them. A demonstration of the system is also included.