Smart Work Zone Systems

Presented by

Prahlad D. Pant, Ph.D.

PDP Associates Inc.

www.PDPassociates.com

Problems in Work Zones

• Congestion and lack of real-time information

• Safety of motorists and workers

Construction AheadExpect Delays

Long Delay Ahead

A “smart work zone system” is the application of computers, communications, and sensor technology to freeway transportation.

General Characteristics of Smart Work Zone Systems:

(a)Real-time:

Analyzes traffic flow-data in real-time, providing frequently updated information to the motorists

(b) Portable

Can be installed at different locations with minimal modifications

(continued)

(C) Automated

Operates in automated manner (24 hrs/day, 7 days/week) with minimal supervision by human operators

(d) Reliable

Provides accurate and reliable information, taking into account the serious negative

consequences of misinforming motorists

A smart work zone system, if properly designed and implemented, will:

•Better inform motorists and reduce their frustrations;

•Encourage motorists to take alternate routes;

•Reduce congestion and allow more freely flowing traffic;

(continued)

•Clear incidents more quickly, thereby reducing secondary incidents;

• Make work zones safer for highway workers and motorists.

Company Name System NamePDP Associates TIPS and ASIS

ASTI CHIPS

ADDCO SmartZone

Nat. Intelligent Traffic Sys. ITSWorkzone

Scientex ADAPTIR

United Rental AIMS

Disclaimer: The above list is provided for information only. The presenter is not familiar with the working or suitability of these systems except TIPS and ASIS.

Traffic Information & Prediction System

www.PDPassociates.com

Primary Objective

To provide travel-time information to motorists in advance of and through freeway work zones on a real-time basis.

TIPS:

A portable freeway traffic management system that can provide real-time, automated, accurate and reliable travel time information in advance of and through the work zone

Major Components

• Software with intelligent algorithm and travel-time estimation models, based on sound traffic flow theory

• Radio communication devices

• Traffic sensors and microcontrollers

• Mobile trailers with solar panels & batteries

• Portable changeable message signs

Deployment in 2000:

• I-75 work zone in Dayton, Ohio

•Urban (Downtown)

•Work zone – 3 miles

•Advance area – 11 miles

• July - November, 2000

Deployments in 2001

(1) I-75 Dayton, Ohio (April – Sept)

• Urban (Downtown)

• Work Zone – 3 miles

• Advance area – 11 miles

(2) I-94 Milwaukee, Wisconsin (June – Oct)

• Semi-rural

• Work Zone – 12 miles

• Advance area – 7 miles

Base Station:

• Polls each sensor at 30-sec intervals and receives traffic flow data for each lane

• Calculates travel times and sends instruction to changeable message signs

• Changeable message sign displays the message and sends confirmation to the Base Station.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

• Telephone dial-up and remote control of the entire system from anywhere

• Capability to remotely and instantly display customized messages on any sign during incidents, temporary closures, or any unexpected conditions on the freeway

Independent Evaluation of TIPS

Performed for the Ohio Department of Transportation

By

Ohio University, Athens, OH

Final Report, March, 2001

Results of Independent Evaluation for Ohio DOT

1. “About 88% of the actual times for each sign, and for all the signs combined, were within a range of plus or minus 4 minutes of the predicted times.”

Time Difference Data for All Three CMSs Combined

Minutes Off Frequency Percentage

0 49 14%

1 117 33%

2 75 21%

3 51 14%

4 20 6%

5-8 17 5%

>8 26 7%

Total 355 100%

2. “Almost 97% of surveyed motorists felt that a system to provide real-time travel time information in advance of work zones is either outright helpful or maybe helpful.”

Results of Independent Evaluation for Ohio DOT

Question: Do you think that such a travel time prediction system in advance of work zones and in advance of exits in heavily traveled freeways where drivers could select an alternate route in situations where long travel times to the end of the work zone are predicted is helpful to the motoring public?

No, not helpful, (17) 3%

No response,

(5) 1%May be, (73) 11%

Yes, helpful,

(565) 85%

Conclusions of Independent Evaluation of TIPS for Ohio DOT

“The real-time TIPS system represents a definite improvement over any static non-real-time display system”.

(continued)

Conclusions of Independent Evaluation for Ohio DOT

“TIPS provides in general and most of the time useful and relatively accurate travel time predictions to the motoring public and appears to be perceived by the motoring public as helpful and useful”.

Independent Evaluation of TIPS

Performed for the “Midwest Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative”

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin

By

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Interim Report, May, 2002

Independent Evaluation of TIPS Performed for the “Midwest Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative”

(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin)

“The before and after analysis supports the notion that TIPS is influencing drivers to change their routes”.

On Sunday afternoons, 10 percent of I-94 drivers chose an alternative route.

(Note: TIPS was not set up to provide any information on the availability of alternative routes.)

Independent Evaluation of TIPS Performed for the “Midwest Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative”

(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin)

More results are expected to be available in the coming weeks/months.

Advance Speed Information System

www.PDPassociates.com

Objective:

To determine vehicular speeds at downstream segments of a freeway and display them on changeable message signs at upstream locations

Objective:

To determine vehicular speeds at downstream segments of a freeway and display them on changeable message signs at upstream locations

Benefits:

ASIS is expected to reduce rear-end crashes by allowing motorists to adjust their speeds and reduce the elements of “surprise”.

Benefits:

ASIS is expected to reduce rear-end crashes by allowing motorists to adjust their speeds and reduce the elements of “surprise”.

An “ASIS Sign” consists of a portable changeable message sign with the following equipment mounted on it and integrated as one device:

•Traffic sensor

•Microcontroller

•Radio, modem and antenna

• Two signs work in pair and any number of signs can be added as necessary.

• Minimum no. of signs = 2 Maximum no. of signs = No limit

• Signs communicate with each other. A “base station” PC is not required. However, a “base station” is available as an option.

• Two signs work in pair and any number of signs can be added as necessary.

• Minimum no. of signs = 2 Maximum no. of signs = No limit

• Signs communicate with each other. A “base station” PC is not required. However, a “base station” is available as an option.

60 mph

30 mph

10 mph

0 mph

Distance (mi)

25 mph

55 mph

Not to scale

Consider the following scenario:

(Examples follow:)

TIPS and ASIS can use any changeable message signs specified by DOT.

• Company provides communication protocols to the sign manufacturer.

A Few More

Examples

Options

• Provide a website with real-time travel time information

• Provide real-time travel time information in rest areas, truck stops, office complexes, large traffic generators etc.

Options

• Provide a website with real-time travel time information

• Provide real-time travel time information in rest areas, truck stops, office complexes, large traffic generators etc.

Options (contd.)

• Provide video cameras for bringing live pictures of the freeway traffic to the project office and to the internet

• Fixed cameras• Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras

Options (contd.)

• Provide video cameras for bringing live pictures of the freeway traffic to the project office and to the internet

• Fixed cameras• Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras

Options (contd.)

• Provide Highway Advisory Radio• Old technology• Low usage by public• Potentially beneficial during

incidents or special circumstances

Options (contd.)

• Provide Highway Advisory Radio• Old technology• Low usage by public• Potentially beneficial during

incidents or special circumstances

Options (contd.)

• For historical record, save and archive traffic flow and message data with time stamps for each sensor and each changeable message sign.

Options (contd.)

• For historical record, save and archive traffic flow and message data with time stamps for each sensor and each changeable message sign.

24-Hours Hot Line:Toll free: 800-769-3839

Maintenance is provided 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Thank you.

www.PDPassociates.com