VaTIS: A Travel Information Service for the City of Valletta, Malta

Abstract

This paper highlights the concepts behind the Valletta Travel Information Service VaTIS Project, an intelligent information system capable of harvesting data from a road pricing system using automatic number plate recognition ANPR technology and low cost sensors installed throughout the city of Valletta, Malta. In this paper, we describe the different elements of VaTIS and report on the first phase of the system, which has already been implemented using data from the camera system in place in Valletta and secondary data on travel behaviour to the city. Both authors act as observers, having been involved in the design and subsequent operational procedures of the road pricing system. The initial evaluation of phase 1 shows the potential benefits of smart applications and sensors for the management of travel demand and effective use of limited infrastructure and provides opportunity for further development of such applications to include user engagement and potential behaviour change.