Skip to main content

ITS upgrade for George Washington Bridge

The electronic highway signage system and field devices that provide real-time travel information for the 300,000 daily users of New York’s George Washington Bridge are to undergo a major overhaul in a US$65.1 millio0n project. The Port Authority of New York has approved the project to replace the intelligent transportation system (ITS) which includes the upgrade and replacement of 11 existing variable message signs and the installation of seven new ones; the installation of a new overhead sign structure
June 29, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The electronic highway signage system and field devices that provide real-time travel information for the 300,000 daily users of New York’s George Washington Bridge are to undergo a major overhaul in a US$65.1 million project.

The Port Authority of New York has approved the project to replace the intelligent transportation system (ITS) which includes the upgrade and replacement of 11 existing variable message signs and the installation of seven new ones; the installation of a new overhead sign structure; the upgrade and replacement of fixed message signs; the replacement of variable message signs, vehicle detectors, traffic cameras, travel time readers and a weather information station.

The bridge's ITS system feeds traffic data to TRANSCOM, a consortium that operates a regional traffic management system and provides information to all member agencies for radio reports, highway signs, traffic apps and other means of disseminating traffic information.

"Moving people and goods smoothly and safely through the region is our primary mission," said Port Authority chairman John Degnan. "Utilizing the latest technology to better manage traffic congestion at our bridges and tunnels plays an important part in that effort."

"The Port Authority's facilities are critical to moving people and goods throughout the region," said Port Authority vice chairman Scott Rechler. "Today's action to employ this intelligent transportation system will help move the 300,000 commuters that cross the world's busiest bridge everyday and reduce congestion throughout the region."

The project is due to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017 and be completed by the second quarter of 2020.

Related Content

  • Joining the dots: four ways to help cities make the connection
    May 18, 2018
    Smoothing the path to connected transportation systems in urban areas all round the world takes a lot of planning: Cisco’s Kyle Connor lays out the four key areas on which he thinks cities should focus. Forward-thinking cities around the world are exploring innovative, new ways to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies to create more connected and efficient transportation systems. Through greater digitisation and connectivity, cities can optimise public transit routes, reduce
  • Chicago Transit Authority upgrades rail communications
    October 18, 2012
    LightRiver Technologies, provider of fully-integrated, multi-technology communications networks, is to upgrade the communication structure of Chicago transit Authority’s (CTA) light rail Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The upgrade provides the network bandwidth needed to support ITS systems aimed at increasing passenger comfort and satisfaction and improving system reliability and efficiency. The communications network is designed with next-generation packet and optical telecommunications equipment
  • Worcester transport project given go-ahead
    February 21, 2013
    A $US30 million plan to improve transport links in the UK town of Worcester has been given the go-ahead by local transport minister Norman Baker. The government is backing it with US22 million of funding. The project will improve access to rail travel, upgrade traffic signals and make it easier to walk and cycle in the area. Intelligent transport systems which provide better information to bus passengers and road users will also be installed and a smarter choice scheme will encourage transport users to look
  • EU identifies priorities for trans-European transport network until 2030
    January 20, 2015
    The European Commission has published nine studies on the state of play and the development needs of the Ten-T core network corridors. The studies have identified infrastructure development needs which represent approximately US$811 billion of financial investment until 2030. They highlight the importance of optimising the use of infrastructure along the corridors, notably through intelligent transport systems, efficient management and the promotion of future-oriented clean transport solutions. This is the