Skip to main content

TTI launches Smart Intersection initiative

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), Texas A&M University and the City of College Station are joining forces with seven key private sector companies to help design, develop and test safer, smarter intersections, where vehicles alert drivers to stalled traffic miles before the queues begin – and suggest alternate routes. They say the ability to detect traffic flow and volume, analyse complex traffic data in real time, calculate multiple route alternatives and send the resulting recommendations to
June 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), Texas A&M University and the City of College Station are joining forces with seven key private sector companies to help design, develop and test safer, smarter intersections, where vehicles alert drivers to stalled traffic miles before the queues begin – and suggest alternate routes.

They say the ability to detect traffic flow and volume, analyse complex traffic data in real time, calculate multiple route alternatives and send the resulting recommendations to vehicles approaching a congested intersection will change the congestion equation. Rather than dealing with traffic choke points on an intersection-by-intersection basis, such technologies promise to address the problem systemically – to dynamically shift traffic patterns on the fly. The convergence of intelligent vehicle systems, traffic monitoring technologies, and active roadway infrastructure will shift mobility management from a reactive strategy to a dynamic, real-time system.

The Smart Intersections Initiative is the first of several promising developments coming out of the Transportation Technology Conference sponsored by TTI and held last month at the Bush School’s Annenberg Conference Center in College Station, Texas.

Several key players in transportation-related automation, among them 6692 Econolite Group, EDI, 73 Iteris, 772 McCain, MoboTrex, Savari and 189 Siemens, have indicated preliminary interest in the initiative. Talks are underway with others.

The project will be based at The Texas A&M University System’s new RELLIS campus.

The research will be conducted in three distinct environments: laboratory; a controlled environment featuring several intersections constructed at the RELLIS campus; and ultimately at live intersections in the City of College Station.

Work will centre on practical application of evolving automated and connected vehicle and infrastructure technologies. The goal is to streamline signal operations, enhance safety and improve overall mobility.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • McCain technology chosen to tackle congestion in Maui, Hawaii
    September 21, 2018
    McCain’s smart city traffic technology is being implemented in Maui, the second largest island in the Hawaii archipelago, in a bid to reduce congestion. The system is expected to allow traffic engineers to view, study and modify traffic patterns and signal timing. The Hawaii Department of Transportation – Maui District has selected McCain’s partner Phoenix Pacific to install the equipment at 82 intersections throughout the island. The scope of the delivery includes McCain’s FLeX Controllers which r
  • Crossing the line: managing traffic across jurisdictions
    June 18, 2024
    The US will eventually have a fully-digitised transportation network, with traffic management devices talking to each other across massive distances. It’s really a question of pain points on the road to full deployment, explains Mark Talbot of Q-Free
  • Econolite Group appoints new president and COO
    August 23, 2016
    Econolite Group (EGI) has appointed Abbas Mohaddes as president and COO, succeeding David St Amant, who is scheduled to retire at the end of 2016. Mohaddes will work closely with St Amant until December to help ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Reporting directly to Econolite Group’s CEO Mike Doyle, Mohaddes will be responsible for the company’s global operations, including the continued development of strategic partnerships. During this transition period, EGI will also begin the process o
  • Siemens, Iteris sign distributor deal
    May 13, 2013
    US-headquartered Siemens Mobility and Logistics has partnered with Iteris in an agreement that means that Iteris will now distribute the complete Siemens intelligent traffic product across the state. The contract ensures Siemens a strong position in the state and offers Iteris a significant expansion of its traffic and intelligent transportation portfolio. “This agreement allows both Siemens and Iteris the opportunity to better provide solutions to the many traffic challenges US cities face,” said Frank LoP