TransCore helps New York survive hurricane devastation

New York’s Traffic Management Centre faced its toughest test yet when Hurricane Sandy hit the United States at the end of October last year. Power was maintained to the building in Long Island City, Queens, throughout, although backup systems were operational and ready to supply critical transportation systems if power had been lost. Support from TransCore staff included making sure the TMC networks and transportation systems were operational, including the TransSuite Traffic Control System (TCS), which had
February 28, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
TransCore staff assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, helping to get over 1400 intersections back online as New York returned to its feet (Pic: David Shankbone)

New York’s Traffic Management Centre faced its toughest test yet when Hurricane Sandy hit the United States at the end of October last year.

Power was maintained to the building in Long Island City, Queens, throughout, although backup systems were operational and ready to supply critical transportation systems if power had been lost.

Support from 139 Transcore staff included making sure the TMC networks and transportation systems were operational, including the TransSuite Traffic Control System (TCS), which had 8,200 intersections online. TCS made it through the storm without failing but by Monday as the eye of the storm had passed, there were intersections off-line due to flooding, loss of power and physical damage in the field.

On the Tuesday morning, the main optical fibre cable connecting the TCS to the city-wide wireless network was cut. However, TransCore determined that TCS was operational with no problem, and the TMC networks were not compromised.

The following day, Wednesday, the fibre was repaired and TransCore assisted by troubleshooting the intersections, working with the electricians and operators for the rest of the week. Intersections that could not be put back on line numbered about 700 in the flooded lower Manhattan area and the same number in flooded areas in Brooklyn and the outer boroughs.

Since NYCDOT’s headquarters were in the flooded area in lower Manhattan, commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, her deputy Lori Ardato and their management group relocated to offices in the TMC building in Queens. They made periodic visits to the TMC, specifically to Bruce Schaller (deputy assistant commissioner in charge of the TMC), requesting reports on the status of the intersections.

Support continued into the beginning of the following week as the TMC continued its recovery efforts and as TransCore staff returned to work. The NYC TransCore office lost internet connection but never lost electricity. Most staff returned once public transportation resumed.
Detection, Monitoring & Machine Vision Networking & Communication Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Pivot Power: 'We need to rethink the EV customer experience'
    October 10, 2018
    Electric vehicles will increasingly become a key part of the mobility mix but charging infrastructure is currently patchy. Adam Hill talks to Matt Allen of Pivot Power about disruption, horses, slot machines – and the importance of customer experience. Electric vehicles (EVs) – including buses, taxis and cars for individual and shared use – are already a common sight on our roads. They are not yet ubiquitous. But that will come. There will be around 30 million electric cars in the world by 2030 (as they
    Read More
  • Transport management for New York’s Super Bowl Boulevard
    January 23, 2014
    New York’s Super Bowl Boulevard is set to benefit from a transport management plan developed by Sam Schwartz Engineering (SSE), working with the National Football League and SP+ Gameday. Super Bowl Boulevard, a football-themed, fan-focused event along Broadway between 34th and 47th Streets, will be open to the public during the week of the Super Bowl from 29 January to 1 February. Wednesday, January 29 through Saturday, February 1. Broadway will be closed to traffic from noon to 12 pm during the even
    Read More
  • InDriver launches ride-hailing service in South Africa
    May 30, 2019
    InDriver has launched its ride-hailing service in Johannesburg, South Africa, which allows the driver and rider to negotiate lower fares. A report by IT News Africa says drivers can use the InDriver app to accept or ignore offers as well as negotiate for a higher price. Rifqa Carr, InDriver spokesperson says: “Drivers have the freedom to choose whichever ride request they like, without any risk of being penalised. They’re also able to see the full fare, from point A to point B, and can then decide
    Read More
  • New York launches work zone safety campaign
    April 10, 2014
    New York City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched its new and improved Zone Watch program as part of National Work Zone Awareness week, which runs from 7-11 April. The enhanced program will include nine camera-equipped trailers designed to better document and deter reckless driving through work zones and aligns with Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative to make streets safer. In addition to the nine custom trailers, DOT will also purchase additional camera equipment that can be mounted t
    Read More

Highlighted Content