Photovoltaics as an Element of Intelligent Transport System Development

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) means advanced applications aiming at providing innovative services related to different means of transport and traffic management as well as providing important information to traffic participants. Currently, ITS is applied within the areas of large cities. It is inevitable that the system should be applied in all locations where it may contribute to road safety improvement or streamlining the traffic. Application of photovoltaics as the renewable energy source for necessary devices (information signs, warning signs, variable contents signs, monitoring and lighting) is an opportunity for common application of ITS. Photovoltaics can be used practically in every location and, first of all, locations difficult to access to power grid. Based on the example of the Region of Warmia and Mazury in north-eastern Poland the current use of photovoltaics for providing power for road infrastructure was identified. Information concerning use of photovoltaic panels in marking of the national roads in the region was obtained from the General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA), branch in Olsztyn. GIS tools were used for identification of the existing road signs supplied by photovoltaics. The MapInfo Professional application was applied for development of the appropriate subject map. According to the opinion of the authors the need exists for development of the pan-European GIS system containing information on the existing ITS and indicating key locations in which such a system should be implemented. Photovoltaics is the element facilitating ITS implementation in new difficult to access locations outside urban areas.