Idaho DOT Successfully Deploys Portable Signs with WEBDirect and NTCIP Technology…
The Problem…
Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) operates a fleet of Portable Changeable Message Signs for providing information to the traveling public primarily for weather advisories (winter) and construction activities (summer). As ITD have built up their fleet over the last several years, they have a number of different brands, and each of these sign types has a different method of operation and different software and communication for remote operation. As a result of this confusion, it was impossible for ITD to use their fleet of portable signs effectively.
Idaho DOT have also equipped their maintenance personnel with Internet capable PDAs and really wanted to be able to monitor the health and status from these PDAs, as well as to be able to control the messages on the signs. Additional requirements were to be able to monitor the positions of the signs with GPS, and also monitor the status of the signs from Boise, where ITD has a NTCIP capable Central System.
The Solution…
![[Translator]](http://www.intelligentdevicesinc.com/eNewsletters/images/IdahoArticlePic.jpg)
Intelligent Devices completed a pilot scheme for ITD to deploy the new WEBDirect technology controllers in the ITD signs to prove the benefits of this approach. This contract provided for the following scope of work:
1) Fit WEBDirect controllers in each of the signs.
2) Add GPS devices to the signs.
3) Add Internet capable cellular devices to enable remote access.
4) Test and evaluate the results and prepare a report.
The Result… A great success! The field work was carried out, followed by testing and then a month’s evaluation period. The final report was delivered to ITD in February 2007, (the final report can be viewed here -- have a look; this application of ITS is really quite slick!) and included the following highlights:
1) ITD could access their signs over the internet from a browser like Internet Explorer. No software was required to be installed on ITD computers.
2) The maintenance staff could access the system status (e.g. battery voltage, current message) from their maintenance PDAs.
3) The position of the signs (as determined by their GPS) is displayed right out of the sign in Google Maps, superimposed on an aerial photograph. ![[Map]](http://www.intelligentdevicesinc.com/eNewsletters/images/IdahoArticlePic2.jpg)
4) The NTCIP communication worked faultlessly, in addition to the Web enabled access.
5) During the evaluation period in January 2007, a winter storm passed over Idaho. ITD was able to use one of the signs via WEB access to close a road for a day, which proved in practice the effectiveness of the application.
Bob Koeberlein, who oversaw this project for ITD reported “This technology worked very well for us and did everything we hoped and expected. We are looking forward to rolling this technology out into wider use as we deploy ITS in Idaho”
Intelligent Devices Products Used . . .
The Intelligent Devices IDI 1320 Controller
Intelligent Devices WEBDirect Technology |
