Skip to main content

PB designing fibre network for MDOT

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) for the design of a new fibre-optic communications network in metropolitan Detroit. The project is a multi-phase effort to build an MDOT-owned fibre-optic network for communications with the Detroit region’s intelligent transportation system deployment, including hundreds of closed-circuit television cameras, dynamic message signs and vehicle detection systems along regional freeways.
April 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSThe 1688 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a contract to 4983 Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) for the design of a new fibre-optic communications network in metropolitan Detroit. The project is a multi-phase effort to build an MDOT-owned fibre-optic network for communications with the Detroit region’s intelligent transportation system deployment, including hundreds of closed-circuit television cameras, dynamic message signs and vehicle detection systems along regional freeways. The system will link all of the existing network hubs and nodes, eliminating the need for existing leased communications services, and upgrading the existing wireless radio communications to high-bandwidth fibre-optic links for most of the field devices and remote network nodes. The project encompasses the full extent of the Detroit-area freeway system, including over 160kms of instrumented roadway.

As the prime consultant, PB is responsible for the overall design of the communications network. Its services will entail preparation of a design report and network migration plan, with recommendations for how to best phase roll-out of the system; development of conduit installation plans for dozens of miles of regional freeways; and design of fibre-optic plans, including cable routing, network sizing, splice points, and fibre allocation details.  The design will include a minimum of two phases, with the first phase focusing on elimination of an existing leased fibre-optic service, and the second phase focusing on network redundancy and reduction of wireless linkages.

Construction of Phase 1 will commence in July 2013, with completion slated for late 2014.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Parsons to continue operating Freeway Service Patrol in Hawaii
    January 25, 2017
    Parsons has been awarded a three year initial contract with two optional renewals by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) to continue running its Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) program on Oahu, one of the most congested regions in the United States. Under an existing FSP contract that ends this year, Parsons has been delivering these services on the island for the last four years, providing roadside assistance to motorists, helping emergency responders at traffic incidents and removing roadway de
  • ITS America applauds latest TIGER grants
    October 30, 2015
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced US$500 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) 2015 grants for 39 transportation projects in 34 states, some projects spanning several states. In selecting projects, Foxx prioritised the extent to which the proposed project strengthens access to opportunities through transportation improvements.
  • The Canadian way
    July 16, 2012
    Delcan has developed an ITS project evaluation methodology for Transport Canada. Victor Bruzon explains how it will assist in selecting and managing programmes. ITS projects offer a cost-effective solution for many transportation problems. Individual projects are often not evaluated and such evaluations can be restricted by limited data, the ability of ITS to affect only a portion of the transport network, and by evaluation methodologies that were developed with more traditional transport investments in min
  • MassDOT upgrades E-ZPass customer service
    March 3, 2015
    TransCore has been awarded a multi-year, US$205 million contract by Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to deliver accurate financial accounting, comprehensive transaction processes and customer service operations for its E-ZPass Service Centers. TransCore will implement its Integrity system to process more than 160 million MassDOT transactions each year. As the State moves to a cashless tolling solution, Integrity offers an E-ZPass interoperability module to manage more than 1.9 million lo