Skip to main content

PTV manages Strasbourg’s traffic flow to improve air quality

PTV Group's signal control system has helped Strasbourg’s Eurométropole reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 8% and particulate matter by 9% in a project which set out to slash emissions by decreasing stop-and-go traffic along one of the city’s main arterial roads. The simulation also cut vehicle stops by 9%. Called PTV Epics, the software tool controlled the waiting times for all road users at the traffic lights, reducing 85% of all cases to 45 seconds, which would otherwise only apply to 35% of road
February 21, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
3264 PTV Group's signal control system has helped Strasbourg’s Eurométropole reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 8% and particulate matter by 9% in a project which set out to slash emissions by decreasing stop-and-go traffic along one of the city’s main arterial roads. The simulation also cut vehicle stops by 9%.


Called PTV Epics, the software tool controlled the waiting times for all road users at the traffic lights, reducing 85% of all cases to 45 seconds, which would otherwise only apply to 35% of road users.

Frédéric Reutenauer, project officer and vice president project management & services at PTV Group, said: “PTV software helps optimize signal control programs in order to minimize waiting times at traffic lights and thus reduce the number of stop-and-go waves. We used the traffic simulation software PTV Vissim to visualize the effect on traffic by analysing the traffic flow at six signalized intersections of Avenue de Colmar located south of Strasbourg.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Dundee trial offers insight into delivering MaaS in smaller urban and rural areas
    March 27, 2018
    A MaaS trial in Scotland will evaluate the attraction of such services for young people living in small cities and rural areas. Colin Sowman reports. It is often said that Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is fine in big cities - but what about smaller towns and rural areas? Well, the city of Dundee in Scotland has only around 150,000 people but is set to provide some answers with its trial of NaviGoGo, a MaaS operation aimed at 16-25 year olds – be they students, working or unemployed. By population, Dundee
  • Radar reinforces detection efficiency
    March 16, 2016
    Radar can have distinct advantages in some transport-related situations as Colin Sowman found out during a visit to Navtech Radar. Despite tremendous advances in machine vision techniques, the accuracy and reliability of camera-based detection systems suffer during periods of poor visibility where other technologies may offer an alternative. Radar is one such technology. It too has seen significant development in recent years and according to Navtech Radar, the technology can often fulfil detection and moni
  • Integrating traffic systems improves management and control
    April 25, 2012
    Following a successful trial in 2007, VicRoads has adopted Streams Motorway Management from Transmax as its primary traffic management and control system Throughout the world, the avoidable social cost of traffic congestion continues to rise each year with increased motorisation, urbanisation and population growth. Traffic congestion is responsible for an increase in travel times, vehicle operating costs and carbon emissions. In 2007, VicRoads commissioned Streams Motorway Management for the M1 Monash Freew
  • Helsinki’s residents trial MaaS as alternative to private cars
    August 21, 2018
    Would you give up your own car? Helsinki implemented MaaS late last year and Colin Sowman discovers that the initial reaction has been positive What would it take for you to give up your own car? That is the question posed by Sampo Hietanen, the so-called ‘father’ of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and CEO of MaaS Global. And he is about to discover if MaaS really will convince the people of Helsinki to do the unthinkable. MaaS Global introduced a fledgling version of its Whim app in the city in late 2016