Trends in Integration of ITS Technologies and “SMART” Work Zones

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Picture of a changeable message sign on the roadside displaying the message TRAVEL TIME TO SF DWNTWN 10 MIN and SFO 23 MIN

Trends in Integration of ITS Technologies 
and “SMART” Work Zones

 

Steve Kite, PE
Project Engineer
NCDOT, Work Zone Traffic Control Unit 

 

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Picture of President Bill Clinton with Larry King

Talking Points

  1. Evolution of Construction Technology
  2. ITS Applications (“Unplanned” Events)
  3. ITS Work Zone Applications (“Planned” Events)
  4. Trends in Technology
  5. Challenges Facing the DOT’s
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I. Evolution of Construction Technology

Picture of a construction site with men working

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I. Evolution of Construction Technology

Pictures of machines used in the construction industry

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Picture of a paving machine with men on it

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ITS Technology

Picture of a monkey wearing big black glasses

SLIDE 7Picture of an incident scene with a large truck on fire and heavy smoke spreading

Typical Applications for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

  1. Incident Management
  2. Freeway Management
  3. Public Safety Information
  4. Work Zones

  

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Incident Management
Unplanned Events - Crash Scenes

Picture of an incident scene with the presence of vehicles and rescuers

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Incident Management
Unplanned Events - Extreme Weather/Evacuations

Picture of a congested highway

SLIDE 10Pictures of tonado and the display on screen

Applications for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

  1. Incident Management
    • Major Weather Events

 

  

 

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Freeway Management - "ravel Times"

Picture of highway and traffic management center

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Freeway Management - “Electronic Tolling”

Picture of a freeway toll facility

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Public Safety - “Amber Alerts”

Picture of a highway with a changeable message sign displaying the message KIDNAPPED CHILD WHITE CHEVY P/U LIC TX 2JV L61

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Work Zones - “Planned Events”

Pictures of work zones

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Picture of a young lady sitting in front of a typewriter smiling with the message DON'T BE AFRAID OF CHANGE displayed below

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Question: Does ITS Technology have a Role in Work Zones?

Response: Sure……..it’s so easy a….

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Picture of a TV station with an anchor's face attached to a caveman's body. A message displays below:

SLIDE 18On the left a picture of an anchor and on the right, picture of a caveman. A message displays below:

Applications for ‘Smart’ Work Zones

  1. Travel Information
  2. Queue Management
  3. Speed Management
  4. Incident Management
  5. Work Zone Performance
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“SMART ZONE” - Travel Information

Picture of a Smart Work Zone on the roadside displaying the message 20 MINUTE DISPLAY 

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Queue Management

On the left are picures of changeable message signs displaying different messages and on the right, a picture of a message sign displaying LEFT LANE DO NOT PASS WHEN FLASHING

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Pictures of speed trailers and changeable message signs

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‘SMART ZONE’ System Integrated with Traffic Management Center

Picture of a Smart Work Zone system on the highway

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Advantages of Integrating Portable Work Zone ITS 
with Permanent ITSPictures of a Smart Work Zone system on the highway and a traffic management center

  • Better incident management coverage,
    response and clearance times
  • Fill in “gaps” where Permanent ITS doesn’t exist
  • Better freeway management, improving mobility
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‘SMART ZONE’ System integrated with 511 Program

Picture of a changeable message sign displaying the message DIAL 511 FOR MORE INFO

SLIDE 25Picture of a man wearing a hard hat working on a desk and a car passes by

What Constitutes Work Zone Performance?

  1. Safety- What is the Criteria?…..how is it measured?
    Answer: Crashes and Fatalities/Compared to State and National Statistics
  2. Mobility- What is the Criteria?……..how is it measured?
    Answer: To be determined….possibly technology
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“Trends” in Technology

 Pictures of an in-car system and a changeable message sign on the highway

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“Trends” in Technology

  • Using more NTCIP compliant portable equipment to better enable communication between portable and permanent equipment
  • More integration of Portable ITS with the Perm ITS
  • More advanced detection and communication technology is being shared such as floating cell data and GPS
  • More utilization of Portable ITS for data collection to measure work zone  performance per FHWA Rulemaking requirements  
SLIDE 28Picture of drums in a roadway work zone

Work Zone ITS Challenges

  • Lack of Program Structure (Knowing where to put what and when)
  • No Defined Criteria to Measure
  • Lack of Data and Reporting from Deployments
  • Need better coordination w/ local TMC’s
  • Lack of Dedicated Funding Mechanisms
  • Competition with Construction Dollars in a bare  bones revenue world
  • Lack of General Acceptance Outside the Traffic Engineering Profession
  • Lack of Vendor/System Qualification
SLIDE 29Picture of piled pennies and dimes and overlapped dollar bills

Overcoming Challenges

  • Establish Program Structure and Define Measurables.
  • Report Results
  • Leverage FHWA rulemaking for data driven work zone decisions
  • Educate Staff, Department Management and Industry
  • Incorporate Innovative Contracting such as “Best Value” and “Team” Solutions
  • Incorporate Portable Work Zone ITS w/ Permanent ITS
  • Plan and Scope Work Zone ITS costs into projects
  • Solicit ‘earmark’ FHWA funding solely for the use of Work Zone ITS
SLIDE 30Picture of a set of keys

Keys to Successful Deployments

  • Properly Identified System Applications
  • Role knowledge and close coordination btw all involved parties (SMARTZONE vendor/supplier, Prime Contractor, Traffic Control Sub-contractor, Construction Inspectors, TMC’s, Regional Engineers, etc)
  • Education of Staff, Department Management, Industry and Public
  • Servicing of the equipment (hardware, software and communications equipment)
  • Providing “flexible” systems for changing work zone conditions

Picture of iron chains

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“Links” to Information

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Picture of a young lady sitting in front of a typewriter smiling with the message DON'T BE AFRAID OF CHANGE displayed below

SLIDE 33Picture of a long beard baseball player watching an advertisement with a caveman holding a bat and the caption says:

Trends in Integration of ITS Technologies and “SMART” Work Zones

Contact: Caveman Steve Kite, PE
NCDOT, Work Zone Traffic Control Unit
Telephone: 919 250-4159
email: skite@dot.state.nc.us

 

 

SLIDE 34Pictures of tonado and the display on screen

Applications for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

  1. Incident Management
    • Major Weather Events

 

 

 

 

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