Both partners seemed more than pleased when Dr. Deweis - the CEO of the ASFiNAG Verkehrstelematik GmbH (Austria) - signed the acceptance test documents for the IT & centre technology component of the VMIS system.

The VMIS Traffic Management and Information System of ASFiNAG rates amongst the most innovative traffic management systems in Europe. During the remaining project duration until 2010, a step-by-step deployment of the system on the whole road network of ASFiNAG is planned.

Even in this early stage, the system can already quote unique features. Regional active traffic management (ATM) systems are complemented with country wide traffic monitoring. No other centre can claim a comparable level of integration of traffic management and traffic information services, provided by a single system.

Heusch/Boesefeldt's role in the VMIS project had been to develop the kernel software and the user interface for the traffic management and information centre VMIZ in Vienna, plus the Sub-Control Centre systems deployed regionally for active traffic management. There are four of these SCC systems connected to the VMIZ centre by now. The most recent one is the system on the A7 near Linz that has been taking into trial operations on 1 August 2007.

During the course oft the VMIS project, nine further SCC systems for ATM will be deployed and connected to the VMIZ centre.

The success of this system can be underpinned by figures. An evaluation during trial operations of the ATM system in the Tyrol region has revealed that there was not a single accident due to vehicles hitting the tail end of congestion, drivers on the wrong carriageway or subsequent accidents after accidents or broken down vehicles because the system signalled the incident to motorists approaching the affected area. Accidents in general could be proven to have decreased by 40% (source: ASFiNAG).

On our way towards an "intelligent road" we see for the first time a system that goes beyond mere improvement of traffic safety and flow, by actively reducing environmental impact of traffic by reducing emissions and noise. Those readers interested in active traffic management measures for environmental friendly traffic will find more details on ASFiNAG's website.