Skip to main content

Smart road layout with Lindsay’s Road Zipper

Lindsay Transportation Solutions is focusing on its Road Zipper system for ITS applications. This moveable barrier system quickly reconfigures the road to mitigate congestion, while providing positive barrier protection between opposing lanes of traffic.
October 10, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Chris Sanders of Lindsay showcasing the Road Zipper system

7613 Lindsay Transportation Solutions is focusing on its Road Zipper system for ITS applications. This moveable barrier system quickly reconfigures the road to mitigate congestion, while providing positive barrier protection between opposing lanes of traffic. Road Zipper can be used to create flexible bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors that can be returned to traffic during non-commute periods to maximise the full use of the roadway. BRT corridors allow agencies to deliver fast, reliable, cost-effective transportation services to move people in, out, and around urban centres.

Automated decisions regarding when to change lane patterns can decrease congestion to a greater degree than reconfiguring the road based solely on a structured time schedule. Lindsay’s ITS partners collect cell phone and microwave radar data to analyse traffic patterns in real time.

Once this data is compared with historical patterns or sitespecific algorithms, the Road Zipper moveable barrier is used to make changes to the road configuration.

When considered in the planning stages of new road construction, Lindsay Transportation Solutions says the Road Zipper provides additional important options for future flexibility as the number of road users constantly increases.

This is because the greatest challenge in reconfiguring an existing roadway into a managed lanes facility is often the permanent centre median barrier. This inflexible divider bifurcates the roadway and narrows the possibilities into a “left side, right side” mentality. However, roads that are designed without any permanent concrete barriers are ultimately flexible and reconfigurable.

Moveable medians can adjust traffic flow quickly and safely, and the options increase exponentially with two or more moveable walls. Vehicles can be separated by direction, passenger count, vehicle type, speed, payment and even autonomous capability to move more people safely through a heavily travelled corridor.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Crises demand digital ITS response
    February 1, 2021
    Digital transformation of transport hubs will be crucial in tackling present and future challenges, and Huawei’s current Shenzhen project highlights what can be achieved
  • Transport and technology innovation from South Australia
    September 7, 2016
    The Adelaide-headquartered Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has partnered with Sydac and Sage Automation to showcase South Australian transport and technology innovation at the ITS World Congress Melbourne. Visitors to the stand (2213) will be able to try rail and bus training simulators, as well as check out Addinsight, a freeway and arterial road incident detection and congestion management system.
  • ODOT plans ‘smarter highway’
    May 2, 2013
    Until they can raise the US$1 billion it would take to expand congestion-plagued Oregon 217, state traffic planners say they'll focus on making it a smarter highway. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) engineers believe that a US$6.5 million artificial traffic intelligence project planned for the 217 corridor will permanently alter the Portland metro area's daily commuting culture. The interconnected system will rely on new underground sensors and advanced computer algorithms. The federal government
  • Abu Dhabi embraces 'diversity of choice'
    January 30, 2025
    The Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi has big plans. Adam Hill hears why choices in the Middle Eastern emirate's mobility ecosystem are crucial when it comes to economic development