border wait time system buffalo-niagara region - maritime region - stephanie...border wait time...
TRANSCRIPT
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BORDER WAIT TIME REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE:
Border Wait Time
System
Buffalo-Niagara Region
Stephanie Dafoe Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
Manager of Human Resources, Agency Relations and Security
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Project concept and benefits…
Project Scope
Use Bluetooth technology to automatically calculate border wait
times at Niagara crossings
Benefits
Greater accuracy, more current data, eliminate human variable, same data used by all agencies
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How does it work?
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What is currently in place and how it got there…
Peace Bridge
Queenston/Lewiston
= Bluetooth reader
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Type of data produced and its users Users of the system data include:
PBA, NFBC, NITTEC, CBP, CBSA, NY511
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Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…
Problem Solution
Improper placement of readers
• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)
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Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…
Problem Solution
Improper placement of readers
• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)
Improper configuration of readers and links
• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data
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Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…
Problem Solution
Improper placement of readers
• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)
Improper configuration of readers and links
• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data
Separating distinct vehicle types
• Directional antennas to detect certain areas of traffic separately from others (ex. NEXUS lanes)
• “Tagging” of vehicles – record an ID and classify it as car or truck for future visits. Currently a 34.7% repeat use rate.
• Queue mode versus cumulative mode wait times
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Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…
Problem Solution
Improper placement of readers
• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)
Improper configuration of readers and links
• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data
Separating distinct vehicle types
• Directional antennas to detect certain areas of traffic separately from others (ex. NEXUS lanes)
• “Tagging” of vehicles – record an ID and classify it as car or truck for future visits. Currently a 34.7% repeat use rate.
• Queue mode versus cumulative mode wait times
Wait time lag (slow to show changes in delay)
• Shorter distances between links • Queue mode helps
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Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…
Problem Solution
Improper placement of readers
• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)
Improper configuration of readers and links
• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data
Separating distinct vehicle types
• Directional antennas to detect certain areas of traffic separately from others (ex. NEXUS lanes)
• “Tagging” of vehicles – record an ID and classify it as car or truck for future visits. Currently a 34.7% repeat use rate.
• Queue mode versus cumulative mode wait times
Wait time lag (slow to show changes in delay)
• Shorter distances between links • Queue mode helps
Cellular internet communication issues near the border
• Hardwiring readers into existing networks where possible • Switching to a private cellular network versus the public
network
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What is cumulative mode…
6 14
25 14
15 20
1 20
Wait in minutes Link threshold
Cumulative Auto Wait
Cumulative Truck Wait
25+15+1 = 41 min. 6+15+1 = 22 min.
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What is queue mode…
6 14
25 14
15 20
1 20
Wait in minutes Link threshold
Cumulative Auto Wait
Cumulative Truck Wait
Queue Mode Auto Wait
Queue Mode Truck Wait
25+15+1 = 41 min. 6+15+1 = 22 min. 25+15 = 40 min. 6 min.
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System Calibration
Most can be done via user friendly web interface by system owner/user
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Maintenance Tasks
Generally very infrequent but can include:
• Settings adjustments due to anomalies/inaccuracies
• Manually cycling power to a reader
• Troubleshooting network connectivity to hardwired readers
• Adjusting attenuation
• Replacing a broken reader
Bluetooth Reader
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Flexibility to Changing Operations
YES!
If there is physical separation between cars and trucks at some point upon approaching the crossing. Peace Bridge and
Queenston/Lewiston bridge have this US bound.
NO!
If lanes are constantly changing from one type to another without some early upstream vehicle type classification.
BUT…
The system would then require notification of these changes. Various methods could then be implemented to allow for
operational changes on the fly.
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Upfront and Recurring Costs (12 reader example)
Upfront Costs
BT Readers = $4,500 each
Software license =
$200/reader
Software Configuration =
140 hours
Approximated Total
$75,000
Recurring costs
Cloud server = $300/month
Cellular data costs =
$50/reader/month
Maintenance = $300/month
Setting Edits = $300/month
Approximated Total
$1,500/m (with cell data)
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Next steps…
Possible integration/addition of Wi-Fi, E-ZPass or license plate data feeds into the existing software solution
Monitor the volume of Bluetooth data available to the system
Live data feeds to highway signs in Canada and USA (NITTEC/MTO)
More users of the data (MTO/Ontario 511 service)
Outfit Rainbow Bridge with Bluetooth readers
Hardwire power and data to all readers where possible
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Questions?