Digital kerbside Finding the gap Sarah Juggins finds out more about developments in the world of digital traffic regulation orders verstretched local authorities, limited resources and skill gaps in specialist areas, combined with an increasingly complex use of the kerbside has created a perfect storm when it comes to creating, mapping and keeping traffic regulation orders (TROs) and moving traffic orders (MTOs) up to date. We recognised there was a gap in the market, says Annette Lowe, director at RTA Associates. We were digitising all these TROs and we found that people werent keeping their digital records up to date. So we decided to do something about it. The we was a team that included: a programmer; a GIS cartographer; Annette, whose expertise lies in accountancy and project management; and Peter Lowe the other director at RTA and Annettes husband using his background as a traffic engineer, combined with an encyclopaedic knowledge of parking regulations and order writing. The end result was RTA OrderPro: a managed service in which the team looks after the data on the clients behalf. A client will send information about a change they wish to see made and RTA Associates will support each stage of the process from mapping through to implementation. O TROs are very complex, so what we do is unwrap the layers, says Annette. We have made each stage of the order-making process as simple as possible for our clients. For instance, the drawing tools on the interactive map are very simple or you can upload a CAD file or similar, or a very basic sketch, and we will turn it into a professional, digitised map. Parking smarter Connectivity of autonomous vehicles (AVs) features highly in Annette and Peters crystal ball. By installing a chip that links to the TRO mapping software, an AV can be directed to park in permissible areas. While AVs are some way from becoming commonplace, it is this forward thinking that RTA Associates is employing to ensure that smarter parking has all the support it needs to actually be smart. Of course, nothing might happen for 10 years, says Peter Lowe. But that is the vision, so we are keeping an eye open to what the future may hold. The advent and development of the National Parking Platform (NPP), combined with other transport developments, such as the proposals for pavement parking bans in Wales, Scotland and England, increasing numbers of cycle paths across the UK, and a reimagining of kerbside use are all providing opportunities for future-savvy companies to explore how they can contribute. We will be ready for the National Parking Platform as it rolls out, but we can work with other systems too, says Peter. The portal allows anyone working on a TRO/ MTO to log in and make their own proposed amendments, with every stage logged. The TRO/MTO data is also available to the public, via the local authoritys website, to view from consultation stage onwards. What is crucial is to make things as simple as possible for the clients and the public, he adds. By taking a step back and identifying gaps, we are providing the elements of the service that local authorities do not have the resources to do. We were digitising all these TROs and we found that people werent keeping their digital records up to date. So we decided to do something about it 26 PN Nov 2022 pp26-27 RTA.indd 26 26/10/2022 16:36