com-wavetronix-pulse.s3.amazonaws.com · keep your ﬁ nger on pulse download the latest issue of...

US EDITION • VOl 9 NO 1 PULSE.WAVETRONIX.COM

TOTALLY WICKED 2 More unique solutions to wicked traffic problems, p. 14

PAY IT FORWARDITS funding issues, p. 7//////////

MODERN MARVELModernizing intersections in Clark County, WA, p. 18

US EDITION • VOl 9 NO 1

EDITORIAl

PUBLISHERDavid [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDon [email protected]

MANAGING EDITORSteve [email protected]

ART & PRODUCTIONCREATIVE DIRECTORChris [email protected]

ART DIRECTORSJeremy Christensen, Brad Hayes, Zac Richins

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSJennifer Clark, Josh Huntsman

VIDEO PRODUCTIONSteven BillsSubscriptions

SUBSCRIPTION MANAGERDan [email protected]

WEB SITEPULSE.WAVETRONIX.COM

PUBlISHED BYWAVETRONIX LLC78 E 1700 SProvo, UT 84606

For more information about Wavetronix products:Web: www.wavetronix.comEmail: [email protected] ©2015 Wavetronix LLC. No part of this publication may be re-produced without the express permission of the publishers. Printed in the USA by Press Media.

07 18

TOTALLY

COVER STORY

07 Pay it ForwardPETE GOlDIN

ITS has certainly come a long way, but paying for innovation continues to be the greatest obstacle to full implementation. Will funding issues stand in the way of safer, more efficient roads?

FEATURE ARTIClES

14 Totally Wicked 2JOSH HUNTSMAN

In Part 2 of our series, Pulse Magazine looks at three more wicked transportation problems and the unique ways agencies are using SmartSensor to combat them.

18 Modern MarvelJENNIFER ClARK

Washington State’s Clark County has been aggressive in its efforts to modernize its intersections, and SmartSensors Advance and Matrix are playing an important role.

Apple, the Apple logo and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Keep your fi nger on Pulse

Download the latest issue of Pulse Magazine, part of the new Wavetronix App.

Keep in touch with industry experts, current events and the latest topics in tra� c detection technology, now on your tablet.

Download fromWindows StoreDownload fromWindows Store

DEPARTMENTS

04 News & EventsSee what’s happening in the

ITS industry near you.

22 Case StudyDiscover effective traffic

applications around the world.

29 How-To8 Advantages to Using

SmartSensor HD in Work Zones

34 DistributorsFind a dealer in your area

14

PUlSE.WAVETRONIX.COM 3

CONTENTS

Thomas Sheppard Application Engineer

Wavetronix UK

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Keep connected with up-to-the-minute info about Wavetronix products.twitter.com/wavetronix_llc

Get the latest news about Wavetronix trade shows and events.www.facebook.com/wavetronix

Join and collaborate with traffic professionals throughout the world.www.linkedin.com/company/wavetronix

Check out the latest Wavetronix videos. Now Showing: SmartSensor HDwww.youtube.com/wavetronix

VIETNAM

Far Data Sends HD to VietnamAn award-winning system intended to help protect the en-vironment has been introduced to the Vietnamese city of Hanoi, and the deployment marks the first installation of Wavetronix’ SmartSensor HD in the country.

Far Data Ltd. of Poland is known for creating innovative detection systems, including ENVIRO 151, which uses an array of sensors to monitor en-vironmental conditions along roadways. This system, which was awarded the 2008 Gold Medal for Innovation at the POLEKO International Trade Fair for Environmental Protection, has many installation locations throughout Poland and, in March 2015, was introduced to Hanoi in a pilot installation in cooperation with the Vietnamese company HOA PHONG E&C.

Hubert Nagorny, manager of Far Data’s sales office in Wroclaw, Poland, says the ENVIRO 151 system is designed for constant and long-term sensing of envi-ronmental conditions including sound, traffic volume, tempera-ture, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction and rainfall as well as air quality. The modular and mobile system is easy to set up and can be easily adjusted depending on individual needs.

The system utilizes HD’s dual-beam high definition radar to monitor traffic for vehicle counts, speeds, classifications and lane occupancy. Nagorny says it is important to correlate this data with other environ-mental conditions, and HD automates this process so operators don’t worry about manual counting techniques. Because it is non-intrusive, HD conforms to the system’s need to be mobile while being able to operate in weather conditions that prove to be problematic with other detection methods.

The partnership between Far Data and HOA PHONG E&C mirrors a larger relationship between the countries of Poland

and Vietnam. According to Nagorny, a large number of Vietnamese students would travel to Poland to study when Poland was a so-cialist country. Since then, both countries have gone through social and political changes and the children of former Vietnamese stu-dents continue to study in Poland.

“Most of these students returned to Vietnam and now serve as a bridge in our

relationship,” Nagorny said. “They know and appreciate our country while we appreciate their potential.”

Along with ENVIRO 151, Far Data introduced Hanoi to their platform for intelligent transportation systems called e-Con, which is fully compatible with HD, as part of a larger goal to bring ITS solutions to Vietnam.

“Vietnam’s economy is growing at an impressive rate,” Nagorny said. “We think it is a good time to find our place in the Vietnamese market.” •

HD Project ‘Highly Commended’ at HA Award CeremonyA road management project on the M25 that uses SmartSensor HD for detection has been recognized by the Highways Agency as “highly commended” for its cost-efficiency. The project was one of 118 entries considered by HA for its annual Supplier Recognition Scheme, which was held 16 January 2015 in Birmingham.

The M25 project is a joint venture between Skanska and Balfour Beatty that involves Carillion Civil Engineering and Simulation Systems Ltd. Wavetronix has supplied SmartSensor HD as one detection component of the sys-tem. According to the HA, the project was commended in the category of managing down cost and improving value,

“awarded to suppliers that have demonstrated significant achievement by delivering Highways Agency contracts in smarter, more efficient ways.”

The annual ceremony highlights contributions made by HA’s suppliers “who help it operate, maintain and improve England’s network of motorways and A roads.” This year, the HA was proud to note that a quarter of the winners were from small and medium enterprises.

For 2014, 118 entries from more than 50 companies vied for recognition in seven different categories, includ-ing the first-ever Safety, Health and Well-being category.

“Our recognition scheme received more than dou-ble the number of entries compared to last year,” says Graham Dalton, chief executive of the Highways Agency.

“That is simply fantastic. It’s also a strong indication of the steps our suppliers have made in bringing innovation into the workplace.” •

UNITED KINGDOM

UK Preserving M6 Road Surface with HDMore and more, transportation officials in the UK are discovering the benefits of utilizing SmartSensor HD for vehicle detection. The accuracy and reliability of the non-intrusive HD make it an ideal solution for replacing inductive loops on one approach to the M6 Toll Road.

The M6’s history is emblematic of the road surface issues faced by transportation depart-ments around the world. Built originally in 1958, the M6 was closed just one year later because the road surface had deteriorated due to freeze/thaw cycles. At the time, engineers chose to incorporate surface water drainage, but the problem of road surface deterioration continued to be a real concern.

Gartland O’Neill, regional sales manager for Wavetronix in the UK, says concerns about surface deterioration led EM Highways, the ASC contract holder for Area 9 in the UK, to look at alternatives to inductive loops for the M42 approach to the M6 Toll Road. In collaboration with Mway Communications Ltd, they chose SmartSensor HD for six loop replacement sites in October 2014.

“They wanted to prolong the life of the black-top surface and they see cutting loops as being detrimental to this,” O’Neill said.

SmartSensor HD was the first radar traffic sensor approved in the UK for use within the Highways Agency’s MIDAS system. In 2011, Wavetronix successfully completed the MCH-1529 process, setting a high standard for radar

vehicle detection and prov-ing that non-intrusive technologies are a vi-able replacement for loops.

Since becoming MCH-1529 certi-fied, Wavetronix has installed more than 300 HDs in the UK, a trend that corresponds with the UK’s de-sire to create smarter roadways with proven technology. Using HD in place of loops gives traffic engineers the data they need for any intelligent transportation system, while avoid-ing blacktop deterioration and other pitfalls of intrusive detection. •

Wavetronix UK Adds Technical Support Staff, Moves to New LocationThe staff at Wavetronix UK has expanded in response to increased demand for Wavetronix products, and the growth has necessitated a move to a larger office. Thomas Sheppard joined the Wavetronix team in 2014, and Wavetronix UK officially opened the new of-fice in the Gatwick area south of London in March 2015.

“The response to Wavetronix and SmartSensor HD in the United Kingdom has been tremendous, and we have already outgrown our previous space,” says Paul Flegg, Wavetronix sales manager for the UK. “This new location accommodates our team very well and provides us ample room for continued growth.”

The new office at Suite 4B Gatwick House on Peeks Brook Lane in Horley offers more space, better facilities and a dedicated conference room, something that was lacking at the office’s previous location (full contact information for Wavetronix UK is available on page 34).

The Wavetronix UK team includes Flegg; Gartland O’Neill, Sales Manager — UK; and Sheppard, who serves as an application engineer for the UK and Northern Europe. Sheppard’s responsibilities include technical training, project implementation and customer support.

“We are delighted to welcome Thomas to the UK team,” Flegg says. “This appointment reflects the commitment Wavetronix has to the success of its customers and the value we place on the relationships we’ve established with the transportation professionals in our region.”

Sheppard’s duties will allow him to assist integrators and contrac-tors as they deploy Wavetronix sensors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer systems engineering from the University of Kent and believes his experience troubleshooting and designing different tech-nologies will be a benefit to the traffic industry.

“I enjoy working on the practical application of technology, and I find the prospect of traveling and interacting with customer on-site highly appealing,” Sheppard says. “I’m also excited to work in the traffic industry, where technology is clearly the way forward in dealing with the increasing amounts of traffic on our road systems.”

Flegg says Sheppard is fully qualified to lead pilot projects and organize training for integrators and installers.

“Wavetronix works very hard to ensure that their customers receive the best detection performance possible,” Flegg says. “Thomas’ exper-tise will help to form a strong technical presence for Wavetronix in the UK and Northern Europe, and will be an important part of our growth in this market.” •

MONTANA, USA

Montana Deploys Advance Warnings at Dangerous IntersectionA dangerous intersection on Highway 2 in Montana is being equipped with ad-vance warning signs designed to inform drivers traveling at or above posted speeds that traffic is slowing ahead. The system uses SmartSensor Matrix to monitor traffic as it approaches the intersection, providing the Montana Department of Transportation with a cost effective way to improve the safety of the highway without adding more lanes of travel.

The non-signalized intersection of Highway 2 and Springcreek Road in Kalispell, Montana, has been the site of several bad crashes. The problem arises when vehicles traveling eastbound on Highway 2 need to turn left onto Springcreek Road: there is no dedicated turn-lane, so left-turning vehicles stop in the middle of the lane; due to a bend in the road, other eastbound drivers cannot see the intersection and are often unaware that vehicles have slowed or stopped ahead to make the turn.

Montana DOT, working with contractor Stillwater Electric, chose to install advance warning signs on the approach to the intersection to warn high-speed vehicles of slow-moving or stopped vehicles. Two SmartSensor Matrix units have been deployed at the intersection at the northwest and southeast corners; when Matrix detects a stopped vehicle, it triggers the advance-warning beacons and LED rimmed signs located upstream on the highway and also on Springcreek Road. These signs alert drivers to the presence of a slow or stopped vehicle, giving them enough time to slow down to avoid a collision.

The goal of the project is to improve safety at the intersection without needing to fully signalize it or build out the road and add a dedicated turn lane. MDOT ruled out these options due to the high costs and impacts to traffic. Officials believe the advance warning signs will help improve safety without the need for additional lanes; SmartSensor Matrix was selected because it is non-intrusive, easy to install, and its detection accuracy has been proven at other installations within the state. •

4 PUlSE MAGAZINE • US EDITION PUlSE.WAVETRONIX.COM 5

NEWS & EVENTS NEWS & EVENTS

Dan Vincent Application Engineer

Tennessee & Alabama

Walter Escobar Regional Application Engineer

Tennessee & Alabama

Jimmy Fountaine Sales Manager

Northern & Western Florida

Wavetronix, Iteris Settle Patent Infringement LitigationWavetronix and Iteris, Inc. have agreed to settle patent infringement litigation filed by Wavetronix.

As part of that settlement, Iteris has agreed to remove the Continuous Mode Dilemma Zone feature from its Vantage Vector product, and the parties have dismissed their respective claims. This agreement applies only to the Continuous Mode feature and does not affect the Trip Line Mode or Group Mode features of the Vantage Vector.

Neither party admits liability and the remain-ing terms of the resolution are confidential. •

//////////////

////////////////////

/////////////WAVETRONIX

Wavetronix Releases New Matrix Manager Features, UIWavetronix has released a new version of its management software

for SmartSensor Matrix, effective 25 March 2015. SmartSensor Manager Matrix version 2.0 includes several feature changes as well as an updated user interface, which the company says will be easier to use and more intuitive.

Among numerous changes, users will now be able to implement minimum and maxi-mum speed filters for the sensor’s output channels and also create small detection zones.

“Users will also now have the ability to see detection trackers in tab ‘2’ of the setup

screen,” says Ryan Lindsey, director of the product office at Wavetronix. “With trackers visible, users will be able to easily verify the accuracy of zone placement.”

Perhaps the most noticeable update will be the new user interface, which Lindsey says has been designed to improve the user experience.

“The new version of the user interface is much cleaner and much more user-friendly,” Lindsey says. “Users should be able to configure and verify the sensor even more easily than before.”

Periodically, Wavetronix releases updates that improve the func-tionality of its sensors. “At Wavetronix, our commitment to continual innovation is driven by a desire to always be on the leading edge of traffic detection technology,” Lindsey says. “As a result, we’re able to offer the best traffic detection possible. •

Wavetronix Sales Manager Receives New TerritoryWavetronix is increasing its direct sales presence in Florida, in an ef-fort to be more responsive to the growing opportunities for intelligent traffic in that state. Effective January 2015, Jimmy Fountaine, who has served as the sales manager for the eastern region of the United States, is now be responsible for the company’s activities in northern and western Florida.

Fountaine has been with Wavetronix for over three years and has successfully promoted Wavetronix radar in the eastern US. Previously, Fountaine was responsible for the company’s distri-bution channel from North Carolina to Montreal, Canada; his new territory will include direct sales activities within the Florida Department of Transportation’s districts 1, 2, 3 and 7 as well as the Tampa/Hillsborough Expressway Authority.

“While we are very busy here, there is still so much to learn and many groups to introduce ourselves to,” Fountaine says. “The opportunity here is limitless.”

Fountaine’s duties will include training contractors and users on the functionality and reliability of Wavetronix products. He will also attend tradeshows and interface with customers.

Prior to joining Wavetronix, Fountaine served as president and CEO of Global Mesh Technologies Service in Orlando, Florida. Global Mesh is a technology-driven, situational awareness and emergency manage-ment software development firm, and Fountaine gained a great deal of experience managing and training developers, sales representatives and distributors. •

Wavetronix Establishes Permanent Presence in TennesseeWavetronix has announced it is opening a new regional sales office in Nashville, Tennessee. The office will be managed by Dan Vincent and Walter Escobar and will cover the company’s direct sales activities in Tennessee and Alabama.

Vincent and Escobar both have extensive experience representing Wavetronix in the area and are recognized as experts in the benefits of true high definition radar vehicle detection. Vincent will serve as regional sales manager, with more than 28 years of experience in traffic signals and ITS. He holds IMSA Level 3 and Moderator certifications and will be directly responsible for sales, marketing, business develop-ment, customer training and support in this territory.

“Our goal is to continue building long-term relationships in our industry,” Vincent says. “We are excited to join the Wavetronix fam-ily as employees after being an authorized channel partner for the past four years.”

Escobar will serve as regional application engineer and project manager, helping customers with new projects, providing solu-tions and assisting with new installations and technical support as needed. He is IMSA Level 2 certified and has seven years of experience as an electrical engineer, including four years as a traffic technology integrations business owner.

Says Escobar, “I would like to help contribute to the improvement of traffic efficiency and safety in Tennessee and Alabama.” •

Download the Wavetronix App — Available on the App Store,

Google Play and Windows Store.


NEWS & EVENTS COVER STORY

//////

/// //

//////

///

//

//

//////

“Three obstacles are limiting deployment of ITS — money, vision and a good understanding of return on investment.” — SCOTT BELCHER, FORMER PRESIDENT

AND CEO OF ITS AMERICA

Intelligent transportation systems have finally come of age and are now considered mainstream in the transportation world. Technologies such as advanced signalization and traffic information systems are often demanded by the driving public, so ITS is now included

in the planning for many transportation projects from day one. Despite all this progress, however, ITS continues to face its greatest challenge — funding.

“Three obstacles are limiting deployment of ITS — money, vision and a good understanding of return on investment,” says Scott Belcher, former president and CEO of ITS America.

“The unrelenting competition for funds, both public and private, continues unabated. Funding is always limited, by definition. There is never enough money to go around. In addition, shifting political and societal priorities make it difficult to keep sufficient funds focused on ITS.”

PAY IT FORWARD By Pete Goldin

ITS has certainly come a long way, but paying for innovation continues to be the greatest obstacle to full

implementation. Will funding issues stand in the way of safer, more efficient roads?

Belcher notes that state highway funding has been shortchanged for so long, states are looking for any source of funding they can find to keep their systems in good repair. That does not leave much room for investments in technology.

“Funding is a fundamental issue,” adds Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation and chair at ITS America.

“We have to make trade-offs. Do I make this investment in ITS, or do I make sure three more bridges stand up? That is the biggest obstacle I see to ITS.”

Competing for DollarsThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was enacted in February 2009 to stimulate the US economy. In terms of trans-portation, the US DOT received $48.1 billion to promote short-term economic recovery, and an additional $1.5 billion in discretionary grants to invest in projects that provide long-term economic benefits.

ARRA funding helped many states fund transportation projects that would not have been possible otherwise. While some ITS projects were funded, most of the money went to construction, road repair and ex-pansion. State DOTs preferred to spend ARRA funds on construction because of the perception that those projects are “shovel-ready” and would put more people back to work, although in reality ITS could meet both of those requirements.

This competition for dollars continues to be a major hurdle for ITS today. According to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, expanding funding for ITS is the optimal use of high-way transportation funding because ITS can maximize the capacity of existing highway infrastructure. Yet states have significantly un-der-invested in ITS, preferring to fund traditional transportation investments such as new highway capacity.

“Traffic operations or ITS projects don’t always rank as high on the priority list against roadway and bridge rehabilitation or safety projects,” says Randy Iwasaki, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority in California. “Because there aren’t enough dollars to fund everything on the needs list, ITS projects often don’t get funded.”

David Fink, the director of transportation management systems for the Houston district of the Texas Department of Transportation, also cites competition for construction dollars as one of the two biggest obstacles to implementing ITS.

“The tangible effect of opening new freeway lanes is easier for the general public to see as a benefit, while technology can be less ap-preciated because it is more behind the scenes,” Fink admits. “The old saying 'you can't cut a ribbon on new technology' applies here.”


COVER STORY COVER STORY

//////////////////////////////////

///////////

//

//

//

//

Watch a video about the benefits of the Connected Vehicle pilot program on the Wavetronix App

Fink says the other obstacle to ITS is keeping up with technological advances, which also translates into a funding issue. For example, while pavement has an estimated lifespan of 50 years, with little maintenance required in the initial years, the lifespan of new technology is much shorter, requiring continual investment and upgrade.

Doug Tomlinson, P.E., the Pennsylvania Department of Trans-portation’s chief of traffic operations, explains that DOTs have many responsibilities, which include ensuring that bridges are safe and that roads are properly maintained.

“Although ITS technology is a valuable tool in the traffic operations toolbox, it needs to compete with many other types of projects for limited transportation funding,” Tomlinson observes. “As a result of the limited funding, ITS dollars are mainly focused in areas with the highest traffic congestion concerns.”

ITS Pays OffPart of the funding problem may be that ITS is still viewed by some decision-makers as conceptual rather than ‘real world.’ ITS is often categorized as research and development for the future, rather than as a very effective real-world solution that delivers an excellent return on investment today.

“On a project basis, ITS is economical for what it delivers,” Belcher explains. “One of the problems with ITS projects is they are not very sexy. You cannot go cut a ribbon when you build it out. So you have to be intentional about it. You build it into an existing project, for example.

“But if you look at the return on investment, the returns are very good and stack up well compared to some of the other potential competing investments,” he adds.

The ROI of ITS can be very impressive. According to a GAO study on traffic information in 2009, an investment of $1.2 billion in a real-time transportation system information program would generate $30.2 billion in environmental, mobility and safety benefits to the public.

The state DOTs on the front lines know this better than anyone. David Fink of TxDOT, estimates ITS ROI at 11 to one, meaning for

every $1 spent in operating and deploying ITS, the return to the general public is about $11. Similarly, an ITS manager from Colorado DOT estimated ITS ROI at 10 to one.

As one GAO study on the state of ITS deployment in the United States found, “unfortunately, information on benefits does not have a decisive impact on the final investment decisions made by state and local officials.”

One solution may be a different approach to “selling ITS” as an op-tion to decision-makers, focusing on the ROI aspects — the bottom line benefits to the public, as well as the transportation agencies — rather than the technology components.

“Communication is the key to a continual funding stream,” Fink advises. “Educating decision-makers, highlighting the value of the data to the general public to garner their support, and continual provision of accurate, high quality information is necessary.”

ITIF also recommends pressuring states to seek out the ROI inherent in ITS by judging them on performance: “Repurposing transporta-tion funds to ITS systems that have a far greater cost-benefit return would spur innovation and improve performance of the transportation system. If the federal government tied federal surface transporta-tion funding to states’ actual improvements in transportation system performance, it would encourage states to deploy the intelligent trans-portation systems delivering the greatest bang for the buck.”

Public-Private PartnershipsOne funding alternative that has had a major impact on driving ITS deployments, and may well be the key to the future, is public-private partnerships.

“An option to preserve reliable funding is the use of public-private partnerships, as business is more flexible and often has more discre-tionary funding for innovations,” says Fink.

A great example of a public-private partnership in ITS is the Connected Vehicle pilot program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and Michigan Department of Transportation, and funded by Michigan and USDOT. In addition, the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership, a research consortium of automobile manufacturers working together to develop standards for connected vehicle technology, is funded by NHTSA and other government agencies, as well as the automakers.

Similarly, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute joined forces with the Texas Department of Transportation to form the Accelerate Texas Center, a public-private collaboration working on the commercializa-tion of automated vehicle technology.

California is also exploring these types of partnerships. “In the ab-sence of dedicated funding from the federal government, the burden of finding a creative solution to implementing ITS has been placed on state and local agencies,” Iwasaki explains. “For example, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority recently announced the development of the largest secure autonomous vehicle test bed in the United States. Our partners include the City of Concord, Mercedes Benz, and the US Navy. CCTA secured all of the permits and agreements from the

US Navy, at no cost to Contra Costa taxpayers. This could not have happened without a commitment from our partners to bring new transportation technology to our county.”

Says Scott Belcher: “States like California, Michigan and Texas are pursuing innovative partnerships because they want to be shaping the future as opposed to reacting to it.”

Shaping the Future“In summary, intelligent transportation systems empower actors in the transportation system — from commuters to highway and transit authorities, even down to the actual traffic lights themselves — with actionable information (that is, intelligence) to make better-informed decisions, whether it’s choosing which route to take, when to travel, or whether to mode-shift; how to optimize traffic signals; where to build new roadways; or how to hold providers of transportation services accountable for results,” says ITIF. “That vision is now within our reach, but attaining it will require bold leadership.”

Bold leadership is exactly what we are seeing in agencies like California's Contra Costa Transportation Authority, which hosted a number of public workshops as part of updating the Countywide Transportation Plan — a 25-year look ahead at transportation needs. When CCTA polled participants, 78 percent of respondents said it was important to include funding for technology in the plan.

“In order to ensure that we stay competitive, our agency plans to invest a large sum of our future dollars into projects that utilize tech-nology to help increase mobility,” Iwasaki explains. “Ultimately, while

“An option to preserve reliable funding is the use of public-private partnerships, as business is more flexible and often has more discretionary funding for innovations.” — DAVID FINK, DIRECTOR OF

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, HOUSTON DISTRICT, TxDOT

An investment of $1.2 billion in a real-time transportation system information program would generate $30.2 billion in…benefits to the public. — GAO STUDY 2009

Going PrivateThe UK’s Highways Agency has

successfully implemented public-private partnerships for over 20

years. Now it embarks on perhaps its most ambitious endeavor.

One of the best examples of successful public-private partnerships in transportation may be found in the United Kingdom. For more than 20 years, the Highways Agency has partnered with private companies to manage the UK’s strategic road network. Now the agency is preparing to become a government-owned company in order to improve the network’s day-to-day operations and ensure stable, long-term funding.

In April 2015, the Highways Agency will be-come Highways England by act of Parliament.

Since 1994, the HA has been responsible for the 4,300 miles (6,920 kilometers) of motorways and major A roads that make up the strategic road network. Although the network only represents two percent of all roads in England by length, it carries a third of all traffic by mileage and two-thirds of all heavy goods, making it the undisputed economic backbone of the UK, according to the HA’s website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/highways-agency/about).

This strategic road network is divided into 13 operational areas, and each area is maintained by a Managing Agent; additionally, sections of roads within these areas are managed by private consortiums under contracts awarded by the Department of Transport. These consortiums provide private funding for public infrastruc-ture and assume management and maintenance responsibilities for a specified period of time.

It is believed the creation of Highways England will open access to sustainable long-term funding not currently available; it will also streamline

project costs and encourage investment. Over the next five years, Highways England expects to secure more than 11 billion BP (16.5 billion USD) in capital investments and plans to add 400 more miles of Smart Motorways while adding new capacity at key network locations.

On 12 February 2015, UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the press that Highways England will boost competition, improve the economy and benefit taxpayers.

“Good transport is fundamental in helping our economy grow, which is why the government is making record levels of investment,” Secretary McLoughlin said. “Through the creation of Highways England we expect to see savings to the taxpayer of at least 2.6 billion pounds over the next 10 years.” •

“Although ITS technology is a valuable tool in the traffic operations toolbox, it needs to compete with many other types of projects for limited transportation funding.” — DOUG TOMLINSON, CHIEF OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS PENNSYLVANIA DOT

Download the Wavetronix App to read more about the HA

10 PUlSE MAGAZINE • US EDITION

COVER STORY COVER STORY


IN OUR OPINION

Funding for FailureBy Brian HaGen, Wavetronix Coo

The future of ITS is certainly exciting, with the possibility of truly intelligent traffic seemingly within our grasp. The advancement of innova-tive technology will be the key to bringing this possibility to life. The question of how to fund these innovations is something that needs to be addressed, but the availability of fund-ing is not the only critical issue. It is equally important that we also address how funding is implemented, how innovation is rewarded and how it is protected. At Wavetronix, we believe these issues, perhaps even more than funding itself, pose the greatest threat to the goals being set for ITS.

As transportation agencies around the world struggle to secure the funding required to broadly implement intelligent systems, they are often hampered by government purchasing practices which tend to impede innovation. In the US, federal funds are fre-quently coupled with purchasing mandates that restrict agencies to specific technologies or protocols. These restrictions are almost always intended to “level the playing field,” but they interfere with fair competition and stifle innovation — what incentive is there to innovate if funding mandates will prevent anyone from benefiting from the technology?

Instead, federal funding should promote innovation and reward those agencies that want to be truly innovative by allowing them to purchase the technology that will best meet their needs. Currently, the Federal Highway Administration dispatches inspectors to evalu-ate state DOTs’ adherence to their funding mandates; can you imagine how much more we could accomplish if the FHWA chose to monitor innovative practices and then pro-vided opportunities for other agencies to follow suit?

At the same time, it is important that these innovations be protected in order to encourage companies to invest in research, development and invention. Patents were created for just this purpose — to protect in-ventors in releasing technology to market. In the US, this perspective is slowly being lost. Patent rules have recently been softened, al-lowing for patent challenges to be made far too easily. The result, unfortunately, is that far too many inventors will feel that the invest-ment in innovation is no longer worth the risk, and our forward progress in technology will be stifled.

At Wavetronix, we agree with Congressman Shuster when he says the federal government cannot afford to stifle innovation. In a free market, customers should be able to reward the innovation that benefits them the most. By encouraging innovation and protecting those who dare to innovate, we make truly intelligent systems possible. However, if we continue to restrict innovation and fail to ad-equately protect those who innovate, we risk failing to make the future of ITS a reality. •

there are significant upfront costs to development and implementation, I believe this technology will pay for itself by reducing accidents, reducing congestion and thus greenhouse gases, and improving quality of life. The market will drive ITS around the globe and increase demand for solutions utilizing ITS technology.”

The United States seems to be more committed to ITS than ever before. The US DOT's ITS Strategic Plan 2015-2019 focuses on five major ITS objectives: enabling safer vehicles and roadways; enhancing mobility; limiting environmental impacts; promoting innovation; and supporting transportation system informa-tion sharing. The question remains in 2015: how do we fund these many, varied and ambitious goals?

President Obama's 2016 budget includes a six-year, $478 billion surface trans-portation reauthorization proposal, but the focus still seems to be rebuilding infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Only a small fraction of that bud-get — $935 million over six years — has been designated for the future of intelligent transportation systems, including $158 million in FY 2016 to accelerate research on vehicle automation and vehicle-to-vehicle technology. Despite representing a small percentage of total transportation funding, however, this is an increase in ITS funding over previous years.

While this does not come close to the increase in ITS funding of $2.5 to $3 bil-lion annually called for by ITIF, the 2016 budget is progress in the right direction, and understandably has been supported by ITS America.

The reauthorization proposal would also “permanently authorize the competi-tive TIGER grant program to support projects that bring job opportunities to communities across the United States.” As part of ARRA, the TIGER grants were considered the most successful way to fund ITS projects — possibly because they were judged on a case-by-case basis in terms of factors such as expected perfor-mance — so this could present hope for funding innovative and productive ITS projects in the future.

“Helping to lay the groundwork for technology will be one of our priorities in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill,” concludes Chairman Bill Shuster of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “Finding ways to maximize the efficiency of our surface transportation system is important now and will continue to be so in the future.

“Opening the way for greater use of innovation and technology, including intel-ligent transportation systems, is one way that we can make the existing system work better and maximize capacity in the coming years,” Shuster adds. “The future of transportation is coming and the federal government can't afford to stifle innovation. The United States must be a leader in this area, and we have to be ready for the benefits and challenges that new technology will bring.” •

Pete Goldin is a freelance journalist specializing in transportation and technol-ogy. He has written for magazines such as ITS International, World Highways,

Parking World and the ITS Daily News at the ITS World Congress.

Mr. Goldin can be reached at [email protected]

“Ultimately, while there are significant upfront costs to development and implementation, I believe this technology will pay for itself by reducing accidents, reducing congestion… and improving quality of life.”

— RANDY IWASAKI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CONTRA COSTA

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY IN CALIFORNIA

//

//

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Because your decisions impact thousands …

… Wavetronix provides the world’s most accurate and reliable multi-lane radar sensor.

SmartSensor HD

To learn more visit us online atwww.wavetronix.com/pulse1402


COVER STORY


2In Part 2 of our series, Pulse Magazine looks at three more wicked transportation

problems and the unique ways agencies are using SmartSensor to combat them.

For years, the prevailing attitude in transportation circles was to build more lanes, bigger roads and more com-plex infrastructure to solve transportation problems. In hindsight, this philosophy was expensive, self-defeating and ultimately unsustainable.

Perhaps it was the economic collapse that helped change the idea that you can build your way out of transportation problems. Using existing technology in new and interesting ways to solve existing problems became the hallmark of a quality traffic engineer.

Every day, traffic engineers across the globe use the proven accuracy and dependability of Wavetronix SmartSensor radar vehicle sensors in innovative ways to create new solutions to wicked problems.

Growing Pains in a Cold CityAstana, Kazakhstan is one of the most interesting cities in the world. Since it was named the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997, its population has boomed from just fewer than 300,000 to nearly one million. As Astana grows, it has become one of the most important cultural and economic centers in central Asia. Its location in almost the exact geo-graphical center of the Euro-Asian continent makes it an important crossroad for economic and transportation activity as well.

With this tremendous growth come a few problems. First, because it is continuing to grow and evolve, Astana’s traffic patterns can be unpredictable and must evolve along with the city. Second, Astana is a cold city. With temperatures often reaching -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit) road surfaces tend to suffer.

Both of these problems make utilizing intrusive inductive loops for vehicle detection unsuitable. Because loops are literally set in stone, they are impossible to relocate in order to accommodate changing traf-fic patterns. Likewise, cold temperatures wreak havoc on road surfaces and even the smallest crack can ruin an in-road detection scheme.

Astana utilizes SmartSensor HD and Matrix because they are non-intrusive devices that are easy to move and calibrate in order to keep up with an ever-changing roadway landscape. Wavetronix radar sensors are not affected by temperature and do not rely on the stability of the roadway in order to operate. In fact, SmartSensor HD has only a 1.57 percent failure rate worldwide based on sales and qualified sensor returns.

Viktor Masalevichius, chief expert on traffic at SMEU-Astana, said the accuracy and flexibility of SmartSensor products allows Astana’s traffic infrastructure to keep up with a growing and changing popu-lation without regard to weather. “With the help of SmartSensors, we were able to eliminate the use of inductive loops in the asphalt,” Masalevichius said.

View more application-specific stories online at www.wavetronix.com/customersolutions

TOTALLY

Blind TunnelThe Oregon Department of Transportation had a problem. At the interchange between Interstate 84 and Interstate 208 east of Portland a large number of rear-end collisions were occurring.

The problem had to do with a tunnel that drivers must enter in order to merge from westbound I-85 onto southbound I-205. This tunnel features a sharp left turn just beyond the opening, creating a blind curve that often sees vehicle congestion. Motorists would enter the tunnel at full speed and would not be able to see stopped traffic around the turn, resulting in numerous collisions.

The solution the Oregon DOT came up with involved two SmartSensor Advance units and one SmartSensor Matrix unit. Advance is usually used to sense vehicles in the dilemma zone at the approach to an intersection; Matrix is used for stop bar detection. However, working with Advanced Traffic Products, an authorized Wavetronix channel partner, ODOT developed a system to use these sensors to prevent collisions at the tunnel.

Advance is able to detect speed and range of vehicles, so the two Advance units are used to sense traffic ahead and behind the problem-atic areas. The first Advance unit detects traffic backups on the merge ramp while the other faces the tunnel exit to detect traffic speeds at the turn. The Matrix sensor utilizes its patented Radar Vision to detect and stopped traffic that may be queueing behind the blind curve. If any or all of the sensors detect slowed or stopped traffic, then a flash-ing warning sign located at the tunnel’s entrance is activated warning motorists to slow down.

ODOT signal manager Doug Anderson said the innovative use of Advance and Matrix has made the problematic area much safer for drivers.

Aiming for ZeroQuestion: How many road workers should die in order to create an ef-ficient transportation system? How many should be seriously injured?

In England, the Highway’s Agency decided the answer to both of these questions should be zero. The HA created the Aiming for Zero campaign, which aspires to “eliminate all fatalities, serious injuries and long-term ill health to road workers.”

This goal is not a simple one. In the past decade, 13 workers were killed and more than a hundred were injured while working on England’s motorways and major A roads. In order to combat this, the Aiming for Zero campaign is focusing on a number of ways to keep workers safe, including a program to reduce the time workers need to spend on the actual roadway.

Traditionally, inductive loops have been used in the UK for vehicle detection. Their high accuracy makes them a favorite around the world, but the fact that they need to be installed in the road surface is problematic for many reasons. First, they are difficult to install, requiring a team of workers to close lanes and spend hours on active carriageways. Second, they have a low reliability rate, as any shift in the pavement can cause a breakdown. This means teams have to spend even more time on busy roadways for repairs. In order to keep workers out of dangerous roads, the Highways Agency decided to go with non-intrusive detection.

SmartSensor HD is the only above-the-road detection proven to provide the same data as loops with comparable accuracy. It installs in minutes on the side of the road and its proven reliability means workers seldom have to repair a sensor once it’s installed. As a result, workers spend less time on the road and in harm’s way.

It’s been proven time and again that traffic engineers are more than up to the challenge of creating solutions to some of traffic’s most trou-bling problems, but they need the right tools to do the job. Wavetronix SmartSensor products are accurate and reliable and have years of proven performance, making them the ideal detection solution for engineers who want innovative solutions to wicked problems. •

• SmartSensor HD braves the extreme cold in Astana, Kazakhstan

• SmartSensors Advance and Matrix cure blindness near Portland, Oregon • SmartSensor HD helps keep road workers out of harm's way in the UK

By JosH Huntsman


FEATURE ARTIClE FEATURE ARTIClE

The world’s most accurate and reliable multi-lane radar sensor.

SmartSensor HD

REQUEST A DEMO Contact your dealer or visit us online at Wavetronix.com

By Jennifer Clark

Washington State’s Clark County has been

aggressive in its efforts to modernize its intersections,

and SmartSensors Advance and Matrix are playing an

important role.

In July 2013, Rob Klug was at an IMSA conference in Phoenix, Arizona when a major overlay project began on one of Clark County, Washington’s principal

arterials. The road overlay project re-quired the closure of a freeway interchange and a principal arterial with several major crossings. A radar vehicle detection system was installed and operating the week be-fore the grind and overlay occurred; on the morning the roads were reopened to traffic, Klug sat drinking coffee in his hotel’s restau-rant, using the hotel’s Wi-Fi and his laptop to verify that all of the lanes were working properly. Thanks to PTZ camera footage and data from SmartSensor Matrix, Klug was able to monitor the system from more than 1,300 miles away.

This is a very different scenario than what Klug experienced when he first began working

as the traffic signals manager for Clark County Public Works. Traffic signal systems that were considered state-of-the-art in the 1980s have become dated and obsolete, and for the past several years, Klug has been on a mission to update the Clark County system by replacing older devices with more sophisticated mod-ern technology.

This has also meant a change from tra-ditional embedded loops to non-intrusive radar detection, but Klug says the change has led to improved intersection safety. In 2014, Clark County Public Works was recog-nized for its signal optimization project and the effort that has been made to make these intersections safer. To date, Clark County has seen a 30 percent reduction in collisions at updated intersections, and the improved safety and efficiency has helped the county leverage additional grant money for even more improvements.

Replacing LoopsLike many agencies, Clark County Public Works has experienced ongoing issues with loops: the manner in which loops are in-stalled in the pavement, combined with the county’s reliance on contractors for all loop installations, have resulted in long, drawn-out maintenance and replacement projects. According to Klug, the process to replace damaged loops can take up to four months in certain weather conditions in the county.

About seven years ago, Klug set out to find a reliable, non-intrusive detection system. The county first tried video detection and found traffic cameras had improved over the years but still had some problems. Then, just a year after giving cameras a try, Klug dis-covered Wavetronix radar and believed he had found the non-intrusive solution he had been searching for.

Advance DetectionThe first deployment of Wavetronix ra-dar in Clark County consisted of a single SmartSensor Advance unit installed tempo-rarily during a repaving project.

“The Wavetronix SmartSensor Advance detector looks for groups of cars coming and will keep the signal green for longer periods of time and will also look to see if any car is in a dilemma zone,” says Klug. If a vehicle is detected within a dilemma zone, the light can hold the green until the car has safely passed,

“so you won’t have that panic stop where you don’t know if you should stop or go.”

The grind and overlay project required the removal of loops from the main street’s left-turn and through lanes. In the past, when loops were removed during repaving, traffic signals would be left in maximum recall, often for several weeks, in order to compensate for the loss of detection. Max recall provides time for left turns and other movements, even when there isn’t any traffic. Klug says that, in general, leaving a major intersection in max recall for multiple detection zones would result in five to 10 calls per day from highly aggravated drivers who did not like waiting so long at a red light.

SmartSensor Advance allowed Klug to place the signal in minimum recall for the main street’s protected left-turn and through lanes. “We worked extensively with the Advance software to set up multiple zones and speed traps to trick the signal into holding the left and through movements to make the signal work,” Klug says. The signal worked so well, Klug and his team received absolutely no calls complaining about the signal during the entire three-week project.

“If I do my job right, nobody knows I exist,” Klug says.

Stop Bar HeroThat early Advance installation proved to be very successful, so when Klug was first intro-duced to SmartSensor Matrix, opting to try it out was an easy decision to make. In early 2011, Matrix was installed at three temporary, span-wire traffic signals as part of a major construction project, which included major

modifications to one intersection — effectively doubling it in size and raising the entire inter-section by four feet in elevation. Matrix was installed parallel to video detection systems to allow for movement of detection zones as construction phasing altered the position of the lanes of travel.

Klug was able to communicate with each sensor from the county’s internal network via cellular data modems. At one point during the project, Klug was visiting family in Idaho when he received a work call from the con-struction inspector who notified him that the detectors at the intersection were not work-ing properly. The inspector requested that the problem be fixed as quickly as possible, so Klug opened his laptop, connected to the local 3G network, and within three minutes was communicating with the Matrix sensors at the intersection in question.

Klug could quickly see that the contractor had moved traffic 30 feet to the right of where it had been the last time he had looked at the intersection. Klug confirmed with the inspec-tor that the shift in traffic had occurred earlier that same day. Within seconds of moving the detection zones and reconfiguring the sensor, the signal was working properly again.

“The Matrix SmartSensors worked so well that we decided to install Matrix at several of the other intersections that we were building,” Klug says. “Matrix is now the standard for stop bar detection at new intersections and we are installing it as quickly as possible at existing intersections.”

Watch video recognizing this project on the Wavetronix App

“Matrix is now the standard for stop bar detection at new intersections and we are installing it as quickly as possible at existing intersections." — ROB KLUG,

TRAFFIC SIGNALS MANAGER, CLARK COUNTY

PUBLIC WORKS

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB KlUG


FEATURE ARTIClEFEATURE ARTIClE

Power TrioFor the last couple of years, Clark County Public Works has installed SmartSensors Advance and Matrix ahead of grind and overlay projects, allowing them to decom-mission old loops before any pavement is cut. This new method makes it possible for detection zones to be adjusted to meet strip-ing modifications or lane shifts that result from the road work.

In 2013, Clark County required pavement contractors to install and fully operate ra-dar detection prior to doing any work that would damage existing loops. The longer turn-around time caused some problems with project delivery.

“We addressed this in 2014 and 2015 by letting an early contract to install the radar systems very early in the year, followed later by the overlay project,” says Klug.

And Klug hasn’t limited himself to just Advance and Matrix. Clark County Public Works also operates 28 SmartSensor HD freeway count stations, each communicating via Ethernet to a server running Wavetronix DataView and Collector software. It hasn’t always been this way; Klug says several other count stations were tried before the county chose to use HD.

“One company claimed in its catalog that it could take inputs from a NEMA TS1 detector to drive the counts,” says Klug. He verified this with the owner of the company, but after several stations had been installed, Klug de-termined this wasn’t going to work.

“They required that you use their own in-ternal loop algorithm, and they had added some contact closures, but never actually tested them on a NEMA or Caltrans TEES-style loop detection output,” Klug says. “The reason we didn’t want to use their internal loop detection was that the induction loops met the NEMA standards, but had too high of inductance to work within their own internal loop detection hardware.”

After working with that company for over a year, the company gave up and walked away from the project. Previous problems and unpleasant experiences like this have helped Klug appreciate the customer service Wavetronix provides for all of its products. “Knowing products will work exactly as ad-vertised is significant,” Klug says.

Data CollectionOn the back end, Clark County uses Collector software to bin count station data every 24 hours; the data is then pushed to Portland State University’s data portal. Later this year, the county will begin using Translator to feed live data to the portal via an XML output, so

the information will be real-time instead of a day old. Translator simplifies data distribu-tion with automated, immediate conversion between incompatible formats and databases. The new module will include custom software written by Wavetronix that will incorporate the HD count stations on the freeway.

Additionally, Trafficware will write custom software that will incorporate Translator’s feed in to the Naztec ATMS Now central system. This system will monitor freeway traffic speed, occupancy and volume in addition to traffic detected on freeway off-ramps.

“If the system detects that a freeway incident has caused traffic to spill over onto the parallel county arterial network, the central ATMS traffic responsive system will place specific intersections into a special plan to allow for the extra traffic,” Klug says.

The lofty goal of modifying the entire traf-fic system in Clark County is what Rob Klug and his team have devoted their efforts to, and the state of Washington is paying atten-tion to the impressive countywide network. Last year, the Clark County Public Works received a Target Zero award from the state in recognition of the safety and efficiency improvements they have made by updating their traffic signal systems. Now, radar detec-tion is being asked for by signal technicians throughout the area, which is something that has impressed Klug. The results so far have been very positive, and will lead to future installations of Wavetronix radar at new proj-ects and in place of old loops. •

SMARTSENSORHD

SMARTSENSORAdvance

SMARTSENSORMatrix

+22 additional installations for 2015

+17 additional installations for 2015

+11 additional stations for 2015

ClARK COUNTY, WA

45Existing

Intersections

28Existing

Count Stations

TRAFFIC SIGNAlS105

50Existing

Intersections

“Knowing products will work exactly as advertised is significant." — ROB KLUG

Proven to be the world’s most reliable and accurate radar traffi c sensor.

SmartSensor HD

HARD WORKING

NIGHT OR DAY RAIN OR SHINEHIGH PERFORMANCELOW MAINTENANCE

View third-party studies from around the world at wavetronix.com/hdperformance


FEATURE ARTIClE

Variable Speed LimitsUTAH, USA

SmartSensor HD is part of a system that lets Utah drivers know the appropriate speed to travel based on real-time traffi c and environmental conditions.

Photo courtesy of Utah Department of Transportation

Project TeamUtah Department of Transportation

Project ScopeA variable speed limit system in Utah’s Parley’s Canyon uses a com-bination of detection technologies, including SmartSensor HD, to continuously monitor traffi c and environmental conditions to de-termine the safest speeds for drivers. Th ose speeds are posted in real time to variable speed limit signs and are immediately enforceable.

Problems and ChallengesUDOT faced two signifi cant challenges: environmental conditions and funding. First, Utah’s canyon roads can be treacherous during weather storms. Slippery roads and poor visibility contribute to unsafe driving conditions, which worsen when traffi c becomes heavily congested.

Second, UDOT needed to be able to test variable speed limits with-out incurring additional costs. Variable speed limits, like many ITS applications, require a signifi cant investment in detection technology, power, infrastructure and soft ware. Avoiding these additional costs was key to the implementation of this system.

SolutionTh e Parley’s Canyon stretch of Interstate 80 east of Salt Lake City was selected as the test site because it met both criteria: it is heavily traveled and treacherous in winter; and much of the infrastructure required, including reli-able power and previously installed sensors, was already in place.

Th e UDOT system uses a number of diff erent tech-nologies to monitor real-time conditions: SmartSensor HD monitors traffi c speeds and volumes; environmental

sensors measure road slickness, temperature and humidity; and traffi c cameras monitor visibility.

During snowstorms, traffi c engineers will analyze the data provided by each sensor and determine the safest speed for drivers. Th ose speeds will immediately be displayed on variable speed limit signs located throughout the canyon.

“Instead of guessing, we can give drivers feedback about speed limits in storm events and minimize the likelihood of speeding,” says Chris Siavrakas, P.E., PTOE and project manager for UDOT.

Benefi tsUDOT conducted extensive research into variable speed limits and expects to see a reduction in weather-related traffi c accidents. Because accurate traffi c volumes and vehicle speeds are critical to the suc-cess of the system, SmartSensor HD is playing an important role in providing the data required. By reducing speeds to match real-time conditions, UDOT hopes to curb unsafe driving, canyon bottlenecks and vehicle slide-off s in order to create smoother, safer traffi c fl ows. Other sites in Utah have been identifi ed for variable speed limits should this pilot prove successful. •

Request a Demo: Contact your dealer or visit us online at Wavetronix.com/dealers

“Instead of guessing, we can give drivers feedbackabout speed limits in storm events andminimize the likelihood of speeding.”

— CHRIS SIAVRAKAS, P.E., PTOE AND PROJECT MANAGER FOR UDOT

CASE STUDY


CASE STUDY

Wrong Way DetectionTEXAS, USA

SmartSensor HD is part of a coordinated eff ort to address wrong-way driving on a freeway near San Antonio, Texas, and so far, wrong-way

incidents have decreased by as much as 30 percent.

Project TeamTh e San Antonio Wrong-Way Driver Task Force, a coalition consisting of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the City of San Antonio Department of Public Works, the Bexar County Sheriff ’s Department, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI); and Twincrest Technologies, an authorized Wavetronix channel partner.

Project ScopeTh e task force identifi ed a 15-mile (24 km) stretch of US 281 as a high-risk area for wrong-way driving and has implemented a pilot system that includes SmartSensor HD for vehicle detection; fl ashing wrong-way warning signs on exit ramps; and blank LED message signs that display a message to errant drivers.

Problems and ChallengesIn 2011, TransGuide, the ITS system designed by the San Antonio dis-trict of TxDOT, recorded 185 wrong-way events and seven fatalities in just four accidents. According to the US National Transportation Safety Board, wrong-way driving accounts for approximately three percent of all accidents on US freeways, but these have a fatality rate up to 27 times higher than other high-speed crashes.

Most wrong-way driving occurs when drivers enter freeway exits by mistake, and many of these incidents are alcohol-related. Further, approx-imately 78 percent of these events occur at night. To prevent accidents, a wrong-way detection system must be able to respond immediately, and the system must be able to catch the errant driver’s attention, especially at night or if the driver is intoxicated.

SolutionTh e San Antonio Wrong-Way Driver Task Force pilot consists of two parts. First, on exit ramps, TxDOT has deployed Doppler devices and fl ashing “Wrong Way” warning signs; if the Doppler detects a vehicle entering the freeway on an exit ramp, the fl ashing signs are activated to catch the driver’s attention. Second, on the freeway, SmartSensor HD units are deployed at regular intervals to detect vehicles across multiple lanes; HD’s dual-beam, high-defi nition radar is able to detect direction of travel as well as accurate volume, occupancy and per vehicle speed. If HD detects a wrong way driver, it activates a message on an LED sign and sends an alert to TransGuide so that authorities can be notifi ed.

Benefi tsAft er 14 months the wrong-way detection pilot was evaluated. Analysis shows that countermeasures have reduced wrong-way driving events on US 281 by about 30 percent. Cost recovery time for this project is estimated at 1.5 years. Based on the success of this experiment TxDOT plans on installing additional signs and SmartSensor HDs. •

Request a Demo: Contact your dealer or visit us online at Wavetronix.com/dealers

If [SmartSensor] HD detects a wrong way driver, it activates a message on an LED sign and sends an alert to TransGuide so that authorities can be notifi ed.

CASE STUDY


CASE STUDY

Zipper MergeTraffi c Management

CZECH REPUBlIC

An innovative detection system uses SmartSensor HD’s true high defi nition radar to combat traffi c bottlenecks caused by vehicles forced to merge due to lane closures.

Photo by Brad Hammonds. https://fl ic.kr/p/cDoKNf. Licensed under CC BY 4.0

Project TeamFar Data, Ltd., GLP of Poland; and the Transport Research Centre, a company that operates as part of the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Transportation.

Project ScopeFar Data and the Transport Research Centre joined forces to create a system to prevent traffi c bottlenecks at locations where road construction or unplanned incidents, such as accidents and stalled vehicles, cause lane clo-sures that require traffi c to merge. Th e system, known as CONGMAN, uses SmartSensor HD’s true high defi nition radar to monitor vehicle volumes and speeds and lets drivers know the best place to merge in order to keep traffi c fl owing.

Problems and ChallengesDepartments of transportation oft en rely on zipper or late merging to manage lane clo-sures. Zipper merging requires drivers to stay in their lane until it ends, but this can cause bottlenecks, especially if traffi c is heavy. Bottlenecks lead to ineffi cient traffi c fl ow and dangerous driving conditions.

Knowing the best location for vehicles to merge requires accurate speed, volume and lane occupancy data, and drivers need to be in-formed immediately when and where to merge. A reliable system needs accurate vehicle detec-tion that is portable and easy to confi gure; and an eff ective way to inform drivers.

SolutionTh e CONGMAN system utilizes two SmartSensor HD units on portable trailers: the fi rst sensor is located at the merge point to measure fl ow rate and vehicle speeds; the second sensor is installed along with an LED display sign at a spot approximately 1,000 meters ahead of the merge point. Based on the data collected by the HD units, drivers

are informed of the ideal location to merge via the LED display.

Th e system responds to a minimal speed of 50 kph (31.1 mph) and updates its data inputs every 30 seconds. Th e system can be controlled remotely and can operate in ei-ther automatic or manual modes depending on conditions. Communication between the devices is performed wirelessly and IP cam-eras and weather stations provide additional information about road conditions.

Benefi tsTh e CONGMAN system has been used with great success in the Czech Republic and in Poland. According to Hubert Nagorny, man-ager of Far Data’s sales offi ce in Wroclaw, Poland, the system is able to control traffi c fl ow without queues longer than one kilome-ter for up to 2,000 vehicles per hour.

“So far we have been very pleased with the system,” Nagorny says.Nagorny says the non-intrusive SmartSensor HD is easy to set up and is more reliable than video cameras in diffi cult weather and light-ing conditions.

“It’s worth pointing out, too, that the sensors can measure 10 lanes of traffi c simultaneously,” says Nagorny, “and they provide accurate traffi c parameter measurements including classifi ca-tion of vehicles and vehicle speeds.” •

“The system uses real time traffi c fl ow and vehicle speed data to inform drivers. Drivers know if they should remain in the ending lane, or if they should proceed to merge fl uently without reducing speeds and interfering with drivers in the continuous lane.”

— HUBERT NAGORNY, MANAGER OF FAR DATA’S SALES OFFICE IN WROCLAW, POLAND

Visit Wavetronix.com/customersolutions to view additional case studies

CASE STUDY


CASE STUDY

Advantages to Using SmartSensor HD in Work Zones

8 1 High-resolution radar

As its name suggests, SmartSensor HD uses high-definition radar (250 MHz) to produce more sharply focused radar images. Lower-definition radar detectors (50 MHz) can blur detections across lanes, resulting in lane spillover. This can be problematic in a work zone because large construction vehicles, even if they are on the shoulder or in the median, can result in false detections as their radar image spills into working lanes.

SmartSensor HD keeps detections in the correct lanes, leading to decreased false detections and more accurate data. In addition, when you configure HD, you can exclude certain areas of the roadway — such as those occupied by construction vehicles — from being counted.

Road repairs and alterations are an unavoidable part of a transportation system. However, these construction

projects can disrupt normal traffic flow and the flow of traffic data for

a TOC. To keep a work zone safe, efficient and well monitored, you need accurate and easy-to-install

detection, like the SmartSensor HD. Consider these eight reasons to use

HD for detection in work zones.

Taught by EXPERTS

Wavetronix off ers

{ }Educational Events

www.wavetronix.com

Wavetronix is committed to improving traffi c, and off ers educational events at no cost.

Visit Wavetronix.com/training to view a list of courses off ered,


HOW-TO

4 Easy to configureSmartSensor HD’s auto-configuration

feature gets the sensor detecting and reporting in a matter of seconds: it continuously deter-mines where to place lanes based on vehicles it detects, and all you have to do is accept those lanes.

This is useful in a work zone, where con-struction may require the shifting of lanes, sometimes multiple times during a single project. A lane-based detection system could struggle to continue detecting accurately, but with SmartSensor HD, you simply run the auto-configuration process and the sensor will adapt to the new lane configuration in less than a minute. And HD’s vehicle-based detec-tion provides more accurate lane placement, more quickly than other forms of detection.

5 Temporary and mobileSmartSensor HD is designed for long-term use, but it’s also easy to deploy

at temporary sites such as work zones. The sensor can be mounted on any pole located at the side of the road, but in situations where there is no pole — or just for ease of use — you have other options. Some agencies keep trailers, outfitted with booms, sensors, and ancillary equipment, that can be towed to a site to be utilized for the duration of the project. An extra advantage of this is that it keeps the detection mobile; if the center of the construction moves within the work zone, so can the detector. And once the construction is finished, the trailer can be towed back into storage, ready to be deployed at the next work site.

3 Reliable detectionSmartSensor HD is highly reliable. It

works in all weather conditions and even the poorest lighting. And unlike pneumatic tubes, which are a commonly used solution for tem-porary counts, SmartSensor HD is mounted on the side of the road so it doesn’t wear out or get damaged by long-term use.

6 Self-containedAnother great advantage

to using SmartSensor HD as part of a portable trailer fixture is that the trailer can contain everything you need for the in-stallation. Some agencies keep a battery on the trailer for power; alternatively, you could use solar panels to power the sensor and connected equipment. Either way, this means you don’t have to find existing power infrastructure or run power cables out to your work zone.

Additionally, you can choose what the sensor does with the data it collects. Generally the data is sent to the TOC, but you can also have it store the data onboard until someone is able to go out to the site and download it.

Using this second option in conjunction with one of the pow-er options mentioned above, you could have a truly self-contained site, requiring nothing but the trailer itself. This is a great choice for rural locations.

Another advantage of the sensor be-ing non-intrusive is that it continues to function if roads need to be resur-faced — unlike in-road detectors, such as inductive loops and magnetometers, which can be damaged by machinery. Additionally, if a road’s layout is going to change, lane-specific intrusive devices might no longer be located in the center of their lanes and will have to be moved, requiring more work, time and money. SmartSensor HD is easy to update with the new lane information.

DID YOU KNOW?2 Accurate countIn the case of road expansion, you

want to get counts in that spot before, during and after the construction, to make sure that the expansion project is warranted and to see if the expansion has had the desired effect on traffic flow.

SmartSensor HD’s true high-definition, dual-beam radar allows it to get highly ac-curate counts as well as accurate per vehicle and interval speeds. And HD can cover a lot of area: 250 feet and 22 lanes, to be exact.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB KlUG


HOW-TO


HOW-TO

SMARTSENSOR MATRIX

There is radar...and then there is

The safest and most effi cient dilemma zone protection available.SmartSensor Advance

The only radar capable of true presence detection at the stop bar.

SmartSensor Matrix

REQUEST A DEMO Contact your dealer or visit us online at Wavetronix.com

8 AlertsSmartSensor HD, in conjunction with

other equipment, can be a useful part of main-taining a traffic system. One example would be using the HD with a variable message sign.

In this scenario, a sensor upstream from the work zone is used to detect traffic. It sends that data to a Click device that looks for vehicles that have exceeded speed thresholds. When it finds one, it sends an alert that tells the VMS (or a flashing beacon) to show a warning mes-sage about the work zone ahead. •

7 Non-intrusiveThe most important part of work zone management is keeping

workers safe, but you also need to keep traffic flowing as efficiently as possible. Traffic counting devices such as pneumatic tubes cause a prob-lem because, since they’re placed on the road itself, implementing them requires closing lanes so that workers aren’t in danger. SmartSensor HD avoids this problem because it’s non-intrusive — the sensor sits on the side of the road, meaning that installing it doesn’t require workers to be in the roadway or to close lanes.


HOW-TO

North & South America

Canada

Fortran Tra� c Systems Limited470 Midwest RoadToronto, Ontario M1P 4Y5p (416) 288-1320e sales@fortrantraffi c.comwww.fortrantraffi c.comManitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island

Interprovincial Tra� c ServicesUnit #1, 2153-192nd StreetSurrey, BC V35 3X2Canadap (604) 542-8500e [email protected], British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Orange Tra� c18195 J.-A. Bombardier, Mirabel QC J7J 0E7Canadap (450) 477-5262e info@orangetraffi c.comwww.orangetraffi c.comQuebec

United States

Advanced Tra� c Products1122 Industry Street, Bldg. AEverett, WA 98203p (425) 347-6208e advancedtraffi c@ad-

vancedtraffi c.comwww.advancedtraffi c.comAlaska, Northern California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming

ASTI18 Blevins DriveNew Castle, DE 19720p (302) 328-3220e [email protected]

Highway Tech6 Sabattus RoadPO Box 1209Sabattus, ME 04280p (207) 375-8248Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Iron Armour1290 Fox LaneMogadore, OH 44260m (330) 608-5002e [email protected], Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia

itronik, LLC4565 Glenbrook Rd.Willoughby, OH 44094m (440) 346-7451e [email protected], Michigan

Marbelite Co., Inc.PO Box 239Manasquan, NJ 08736p (732) 292-2100e [email protected] York

Mid American Signal2429 S. Mill StreetKansas City, KS 66103p (913) 432-5002www.midamsignal.comArkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota

Signal Control Products, Inc.199 Evans WayBranchburg, NJ 08876p (908) 231-1133e [email protected] Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania

Summit Tra� c Solutions11757 W Ken Caryl Avenue, Suite F-411Littleton, CO 80127p (303) 933-2843e info@summit-traffi c.comwww.summit-traffi c.comArizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah

SummitCrestSouthern California O� ce33175 Temecula Pkwy, Ste A415Temecula, CA 92592p (951) 303-8143e [email protected]/Southern California

Illinois Offi ce2516 Waukegan Rd., Ste 214Glenview, IL 6002p (224) 235-4474e [email protected], Wisconsin

Tra� c Technology Integrations1295 Old Hickory Blvd.Nashville, TN 37207p (615) 410-0737e info@traffi cti.comwww.traffi cti.comAlabama, Tennessee

Transportation Equipment & Services, Inc.420 Boardwalk DriveYoungsville, NC 27596p (877) 499-8727e roseann.boccio@transequipserv.

comwww.transequipserv.comDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia

Twincrest TechnologiesPO Box 7571315 Hwy 1187, Ste 104 Mansfi eld, TX 76063p (817) 539-2200e [email protected], Mississippi,Texas

South America

American Tra� � c SAAv Belgrano 485 piso 9 of 20Cuidad de Buenos Aires Argentinap +54 11 4342-6147 | +54 11

4343-5935e informes@americantraffi csa.

com.arwww.americantraffi csa.com.arArgentina

Servicios Camco LTDAHuerfanos 1160 Ofc 902Santiago Centro 8320340ChileCarlos Alcegap +56 98839 4685e [email protected]

Corporate Sales O� cep +1 (801) 734-7200e [email protected]

North & South America Sales O� cep +1 (407) 366-5144e [email protected]

Northern Europe Sales O� ceWavetronix UK Ltd.p +44 (0) 1293 775487e [email protected]

Wavetronix Offi cesIf your state or country is not listed above, please contact your regional Wavetronix sales offi ce.

Europe, Africa & Middle East

Europe

Amparo SolutionsFalkenbergsgatan 3412 85 GöteborgSwedenp +46 (0)31-721 19 50www.amparosolutions.comSweden

Far Dataul. Lipowa 330-702 KrakÓwPolandp +48 (012) 255 99 99e [email protected] Republic, Poland, Slovakia

ITS Teknik A/SKøbenhavnsvej 265, DK-4000RoskildeDenmarkp +45 46 75 72 27e [email protected]

Navigator14/19 Novoslobodskaya StreetMoscow 127055Russiap +7 (495) 607 58 67e [email protected], Kazakhstan, Russia

QuadrexC/ Muntaner 262, 4º-1ª08021 BarcelonaSpainp +34 93 202 29 24e [email protected], Spain

SMEU Astana Ltd15/1 Beisekbayev str., 010000 Astana Kazakhstanp +7 (7172) 37 69 90e [email protected] http://smeu-astana.kz/Kazakhstan

Middle East

Alshamlan International General Trading & ContractingKuwait - Salmiyah-Blajat Street Block #3 - Aloula Tower #34 -9th Floor-Offi ce 9A, PO Box 5984Salmiyah, 22069Kuwaitp +965 25712855e info@alshamlaninternational.

comwww.alshamlaninternational.comKuwait

IntetraBarajyolu Cad. Aral Sok. Özkanca Plaza No:4 K:8Ataşehir Kadıköy, IstanbulTurkeyp +90 (216) 456 86 40e [email protected]

Asia & Australia

Asia

QTC Tra� c Technologies, Ltd.Unit H, 7/F, World Tech Centre, 95 How Ming Street, Kwun TongKowloonHong Kongp +852 2535 8112e mlam@qtc-traffi c.comHong Kong

TMS Engineering Co., Ltd.50/413 Moo 6 Tambol BanmaiAmphur PakkredNonthatburi 11120Th ailandp +66 (2) 984 1192e [email protected] ailand

Turbine Technique (M) Sdn BhdNo 21, Jalan Uranus AJ U5/AJSeksyen U5, 40150 Shah Alam,Selangor, Darul EhsanMalaysiap +60 3 7845 4093e [email protected]

Australia & New Zealand

Aldridge Electrical IndustriesUnit 10-16 Sir Joseph Banks DriveKurnell NSW 2231Australiap +612 9540 9966e [email protected] Australia

HMI Technologies LimitedPO Box 38164HowickAuckland 2145New Zealandp +64 9 572 0006e [email protected] Zealand

S. Europe & Middle East Sales O� cep +33 (0)5 59 43 85 10e [email protected]

China Sales O� cep +86 (10) 6494 3046e [email protected]

Australia & Paci� c Rim Support O� ceWavetronix Pte., Ltd.p +65 9070 0520e [email protected]


DISTRIBUTORS DISTRIBUTORS

www.wavetronix.com

Wavetronix is invested in the success of its customers. We inspire customer loyalty with reliable, cost-eff ective products, ongoing training and comprehensive support. We strive to diff erentiate ourselves in every aspect of our customer’s experience.

Wavetronix sets the gold standard with its best-of-class technologies. Our easy-to-use products really work and integrate seamlessly to create end-to-end traffi c solutions. The result? Safer and more effi cient traffi c systems around the world.

Go with Gold

com-wavetronix-pulse.s3.amazonaws.com · keep your ﬁ nger on pulse download the latest issue of...

Documents