Real time information delivers safer work zone

Beginning in June 2011, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) began replacing 14 deteriorated bridge superstructures on Interstate 93 throughout the city of Medford. The project has been called the 93 FAST 14, and because of its impact on the travelling public Mass DOT has implemented the use of Smart Work Zone technology.
January 31, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The data collection devices being utilised on the MassDOT 1-93 project are compromised of the ASTI Transportation Systems Queue Trailer with attached Wavetronix sensor

Beginning in June 2011, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) began replacing 14 deteriorated bridge superstructures on Interstate 93 throughout the city of Medford. The project has been called the 93 FAST 14, and because of its impact on the travelling public Mass DOT has implemented the use of Smart Work Zone technology.

The goal of the system, from 1933 ASTI Transportation Systems, is to monitor the project work zone and disseminate real-time information to MassDOT personnel, the local highway operations centre and the travelling public. Traffic conditions are expected to deteriorate because of queueing caused by high traffic volumes, work zone vehicle interference, inclement weather and grade changes. MassDOT has requested that the system provide notifications of traffic decreasing below 45 mph.

 The Smart Work Zone System on this project is not only providing minute-by-minute data collection through the use of 148 Wavetronix sensors but is also going a step further to integrate BlueToad-1835 Bluetooth technology and the integration of the State's 295 Navteq data collection to deliver the highest-quality and most timely data possible. This will allow MassDOT personnel to make incident management decisions as well as provide the travelling public with the most current information available. Having the ability to make these decisions far enough in advance of the work zone will empower the travelling motorist with re-routing capabilities, more efficient trip planning, or quite simply a safer trip through the work zone environment.

The Smart Work Zone System is controlled via a central project webpage (http://208.11.154.237/tcm/bostontunnel) and is provided in both a public viewing format and an administrative format. The administrative level, through username/password protection, allows MassDOT personnel to log directly into each device for detailed data, overriding of message boards and pan/tilt/zoom control over the Vicon cameras on the project. Implementation of this technology offers the DOT personnel complete oversight and control of all devices within the work zone, which hopefully provides the safest travelling environment possible without shutting down the road completely.

"Smart Work Zone Systems empower the driver with the ability to make informed decisions and efficient trip planning. This translates to not only a safer environment for both the motorist and the highway personnel but also a more comfortable travelling experience," says Todd Hartnett, business development manager, ASTI Transportation Systems.
Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Keeping cyber criminals from your website
    November 10, 2017
    If a hacker can penetrate your website, they can do business as you. Joe Dysart explains how you and your customers may not discover the fraud for some time. In the latest twist on identity theft, hackers are clandestinely taking over business websites - and then brazenly billing visiting customers as if the sites are their own.
    Read More
  • More public transit can cut city traffic deaths by 40%, says study
    September 4, 2018
    US regions with higher public transportation use can cut traffic fatality rates by 10-40%, according to a new figures from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). APTA analysis of recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Transit Administration data shows that metropolitan areas with public transit use of more than 40 annual trips per capita have up to 40% of the traffic fatality rate of metro areas with fewer than 20 annual trips per capita. APTA and the Vision
    Read More
  • Navteq real-time traffic for Russia
    February 3, 2012
    Navteq has announced the launch of its Traffic service in Russia, delivering comprehensive, real-time traffic information to nearly 16.5 million people in three major cities
    Read More
  • Covid turns tolls cashless
    December 23, 2021
    When coronavirus hit, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission made its long-planned e-tolling system permanent; this made sense, but it was still a difficult decision, explains the organisation’s Carl DeFebo
    Read More

Highlighted Content