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

  • Transportation infrastructure technology continues its advance
    July 17, 2012
    It is now 20 years since publication of the Strategic Plan for Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems. A select group of luminary figures of the ITS industry give their assessment of progress to date This year the IVHS Strategic Plan turns 20, signaling the graduation of the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems from its tumultuous teens to young adulthood. After two decades tethered by the cords of youth and protected by the strict control of adult institutions, ITS has reached a turning point. Its y
    Read More
  • Automating enforcement of environmental zones
    July 27, 2012
    Amsterdam City Council has chosen to move away from manual enforcement of its environmental zone, which is intended to keep highly polluting goods vehicles out of the city centre, and is installing an automated, ANPR-based system. The signs are not much to look at: white with a red circle and the all-important word Milieuzone ('Environmental zone'). But these signs mean that Amsterdam's city centre is strictly off-limits to polluting goods traffic. At the moment compliance is monitored by special wardens wh
    Read More
  • Virtual traffic management centres, a new direction in traffic monitoring
    January 30, 2012
    David Crawford picks up a new direction trend in traffic monitoring The surprise winner in the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) category of the recently-announced 2011 OSMOSE (Open Source for MObile and SustainablE city) Awards for European innovations in urban transport, is the Danish city of Aalborg - which doesn't have a TMC. Alternatively, one might consider its 'virtual' TMC as a signpost for the future in medium-sized cities.
    Read More
  • Arizona DOT adds monitoring technology to state bridges
    January 25, 2016
    Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) engineers in Phoenix will get real-time information on the conditions of four interstate bridges in remote north-western Arizona thanks to technology funded by a US$768,000 Federal Highway Administration grant. To enhance safety and efficiency, ADOT will use the Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration grant to add structural health monitoring systems to the Interstate 15 bridges, embedding sensors on the superstructures that record, analyze and share da
    Read More

Highlighted Content