NTCIP Interoperability Showcase

June 17th, 2011

The NTCIP Interoperability Showcase at the 2011 ITS World Congress is a full-scale demonstration to display the interoperability of commercially available NTCIP-compliant products.

This event is sponsored by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) with support from ITS America, one of the three event organizers.  The NTCIP Interoperability Showcase is hosted within the booths of several manufacturers and vendors during the ITS World Congress in Orlando, Florida.  NEMA member companies will be demonstrating NTCIP interoperability in a free-form configuration mimicking real-life situations.

Using a wireless communications network inside of the exhibition hall, each device and central system is interconnected allowing demonstrations in an ad-hoc setup. Conflicts such as competing messages displayed on the same DMS will be handled as done in real life, i.e., the message priority will determine whether the current message is replaced by another message.

The diagram below shows the conceptual setup of the NTCIP Interoperability Showcase.

NEMA has prepared a flyer announcing this event and will distribute it prior to the ITS World Congress.

IDI has taken a lead role in this demonstration showcase by designing and coordinating the efforts including configuration development, provision of main wireless access point, interaction with ITS America (with NEMA staff), and dry-run testing.  IDI will provide several fully NTCIP-compliant pieces of equipment for this showcase including its central system, ATC traffic controller, ESS weather station controller, and CCTV camera.

More information is available on NEMA and the ITS World Congress.

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Intelligent Border Crossing – Nogales

May 2nd, 2011

Intelligent Devices is proud to announce a new contract for an Intelligent Border Crossing project. IDI is working with MAC Electric, Hensel Phelps Construction, the General Services Administration and Customs and Border Patrol to integrate and implement an Intelligent Border Crossing System for the new Nogales Land Port of Entry on the United States-Mexico Border in Nogales, AZ.  This marks an entry into a new market segment for Intelligent Devices which brings new opportunities to implement ITS solutions in the Homeland Security market segment.

Intelligent Devices will be serving in a design/implement capacity to MAC Electric for the traffic signalization and dynamic message signage (DMS Signs) for the Port of Entry.  Intelligent Devices will be using NTCIP standards to integrate the DMS signs, traffic signal heads, video detectors, border patrol agent input panels, border crossing gates and other traffic detectors under a single system by using ATC traffic signal controllers and Intelligent Control Device Manager.  Most importantly, the system will allow for agents in booths to control what messages are on the signs through the physical buttons that are installed by MAC Electric in the agent booths.  Intelligent Control Device Manager will allow for status and health monitoring and emergency overrides of all systems via the scenarios feature.

The project is still in the design phase with of the above mentioned stakeholders involved.  Although the GSA/CBP timeframe for the overall project completion date is far in the future, MAC Electric and Intelligent Devices expect to complete the project by the end of October with all implementation and testing completed.

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In Progress: Georgia NaviGAtor 2.0

February 15th, 2011

Intelligent NETworks is currently being developed as the new Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) for the state of Georgia. The installation controls and monitors any traffic devices managed by GDOT including devices attached to their primary fiber backbone and devices outside of their fiber network. Additionally, the new system manages a number of local Traffic Control Centers (TCCs), allowing them to take full advantage of the statewide license. The system also publishes all the traffic information to an Advanced Traveller Information System website as well as providing traffic information and video to local news agencies.

The new Georgia NaviGAtor is one of the largest installations of Intelligent NETworks. Began in late 2009 and scheduled to deploy over two phases, the project is due to launch in November of 2010. When finished it will manage 500 cameras, 100 signs and over a thousand vehicle detectors. It has also been designed to interface with Siemens Tactics system used by GDOT to set-up and control their traffic signal systems.

Intelligent NETworks modules used by the new ATMS include:
• Map
• Admin/Security
• Video
• DMS
• VDS
• ATIS/511
• C2C
• Data Archiving/Reporting
• Event Management
• Response Plans
• Congestion Signing/Travel Times
• Traffic Signal

Phase two will see the addition of the automatic vehicle locator, ramp metering and ESS modules along with the initial install.

The NaviGAtor 2 software will bring GDOT into the 21st century of effective traffic management by providing a state of the art software suite to meet their growing demands.  The interfaces will be much easier to use, drastically reducing time spent by operators trying to do small tasks and allow the TMC staff to focus on the broader goal of reducing incident response time and keeping the highways flowing freely.

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Intelligent NETworks in Brazil

January 19th, 2011

Intelligent NETworks® was recently launched in Sao Paulo, Brazil in partnership with ASPECT Midia. The installation was deployed along Rodoanel/SP, a major roadway around Sao Paulo City, for about 37 miles. Once installed, the system was able to provide accurate and helpful travel information to the motorists along this major roadway. Began in October 2009, the project was completed in June of 2010.

This particular deployment of Intelligent NETworks included the DMS, CCTV and Map modules. NTCIP was specified for the entire system making deployment and field device integration much faster. Intelligent Devices and ASPECT Midia partnered on the installation and have previously worked to incorporate NTCIP into ASPECT Midia’s DMS signs, which were deployed in this project. This project also involved integration to Bosch CCTV cameras which also support NTCIP.

To learn more about ASPET Midia visit their web site at http://www.aspect.com.br/

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Michael Howarth Presents at WASHTO

January 15th, 2011

Michael Howarth, Vice President of Business Development at Intelligent Devices, delivered a presentation at the 2010 WASHTO conference focused on MDSS and mobile data collection as an integrated ITS technology. The presentation was given in combination with South Dakota DOT representative Dave Huft. Mr. Huft spoke on MDSS successful deployments and Mr. Howarth’s presentation detailed the MDC solution from Intelligent Devices as well as the snow plow module from Intelligent NETworks. Mr. Howarth was selected to speak based on the unique experience Intelligent Devices has with standards based, NTCIP deployments.

During the presentation, Mr. Howarth went into detail on how MDC installations in South Dakota were used to lower overall costs and improve the performance of the snow plow fleet.

The concept behind the MDC system is that by knowing current conditions, road characteristics, weather and resources it is possible to recommend treatment types, the application rate and optional timing. The right data also gives users the ability to predict future road conditions – with or without road treatments.

The MDC system developed by Intelligent Devices is lightweight, durable, Windows based and expandable. After being installed in the vehicles, the system collects speed, direction, material application rate, blade position as well as road and air temperature.

Operators enter data and receive MDSS recommendations as well as regional weather updates. Additionally, the system has been designed to include route optimization to allow for more efficient use the materials and equipment.

The WASHTO conference is the annual gathering of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) organization. WASHTO is focused on contributing to national policies on transportation issues that are responsive to members’ needs while for advocating legislation that supports efficient transportation systems, economic competitiveness and the environmental integrity of member states.

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