Smart Work Zone Systems Presented by Prahlad D. Pant, Ph.D. PDP Associates Inc.

Problems in Work Zones Congestion and lack of real-time information Safety of motorists and workers

Construction Ahead Expect 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 NameSystem Name PDP AssociatesTIPS and ASIS ASTICHIPS ADDCOSmartZone Nat. Intelligent Traffic Sys.ITSWorkzone ScientexADAPTIR United RentalAIMS 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

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 OffFrequencyPercentage 04914% % 27521% 35114% 4206% % >8267% Total355100%

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?

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

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

Thank you.