its applications for rural safety · 1 its applications for rural safety dennis l. foderberg, p.e....

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ITS Applications for

Rural Safety

Dennis L. Foderberg, P.E.Senior Consultant

SEH, Inc.

2008 National Rural ITS ConferenceAnchorage, AK

September 4, 2008

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Authors

Dennis Foderberg, PE, SEH, Inc.Gordon Melby, NTT, LLCGinny Crowson, Mn/DOTMarthand Nookala, PE, Hennepin County

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ITS Deployment AssessmentCreated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), in cooperation with other transportation stakeholders. The intent was to assess current programs and future opportunities for deployment of ITS.Focus was on safety and mobility.Two sections. Section 1 provides a “Background and Building a Foundation for Success”. Section 2 builds on Section 1 by providing information on “Future ITS Deployments in Minnesota”. Reflects short, medium, and long-term needs and operational objectives.

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ITS Deployment AssessmentThe overriding goal of this project was to develop an assessment in sufficient detail that the assessment could be used to help establish priorities and secure funding for ITS deployment projects that improve safety and mobility.

Toward that goal, two ITS program initiatives were established.Minnesota Guidestar Mobility InitiativeMinnesota Guidestar Safety Initiative.

Funding and deployment of these ITS projects represents a recognition of the need and value of ITS plus Minnesota’s commitment to the future.

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PurposeBuild on infrastructure already in placeEmphasize innovative yet proven technologyTake a system-wide approachMoves Toward Zero DeathsStart to implement ITS Safety PlanPresents a model for other states

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ITS Safety PlanDevelop ITS strategies and initiatives that reduce the number of vehicle traffic fatalities and serious injuries on roadways. Identified six ITS Critical Strategies supported by 22 ITS Safety Initiatives. The Safety Initiatives advance the six ITS Critical Strategies.Proactive in their approach to reducing the number of fatalities on Minnesota roadways.

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Rural ITSKey elements of rural ITS

Traveler safety and security technologies Emergency services Fleet operations and maintenance systems Public traveler and mobility services Roadway operations and maintenance technologies Tourism and travel information Commercial vehicle systems

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Deployment StrategiesExpand Data Collection infrastructureImprove traveler information disseminationExpand first responder and enforcement systemsImplement next generation TOCC’s to local governmentsExpand winter maintenance operations

Use intersection collision warning Use intersection collision warning systemssystems

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Intersection Warning System

2007 Innovative Ideas Program

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ProblemSafety at Unsignalized Intersections is a major concern. Intersection collisions are one of the most common types of crash, and in the United States, they account for nearly 2 million accidents and 6,700 fatalities every 2 million accidents and 6,700 fatalities every yearyear. However, a fully signalized intersection can sometimes be hard to justify in rural areas, due to the cost of installation, maintenance, and added delays to traffic on the major through streets...

FHWA-RD-99-103

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IWS - Project Goal

Our Goal is to develop a low-cost, readily deployable, low maintenance system that can be used to improve

safety at low volume, non-signalized intersections.

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Rural ITS ToolboxLow Cost, Low Maintenance DeploymentsCollection of Sensors, Decision Controllers and Motorist Information Display Sign.Deploy on existing infrastructure/existing warning sign postsEasy to mix and match components based on need.Portable

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Rural ITS ToolboxBringing together of many hi-tech products.

Wireless communicationsLow power sensorsIntelligent Roadside ControllersSolar power when AC not availablePower efficient display systems (VMS)Effective tools for installation and service

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Rural ITS ToolboxIntersection Intersection Warning

Low volume rural (non-urban) roadsRelatively high crash/near miss history Poor sight distance areasTemporary sight obstructions, i.e. cornfield intersectionSeasonal heavy traffic such as harvest time

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PartnershipSEH has partnered with Network Transportation Technologies, LLC (NTT)Belief that we can be better at saving lives by efficient utilization of technology.Belief that we can do this with less infrastructure and reduced costs.Belief that Stand Alone Smart Systemspermit this. (Go where we haven't gone before)

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IWS Project Team Mn/DOT – OTSO Mn/DOT Metro DivisionUS DOT - FHWAHennepin County Olmsted CountySEH / NTTIndependent Evaluation Consultant (SRF)Hardware Partner - Banner Engineering Inc.

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IWS Project DeliverablesIWS Project DeliverablesConcept of Operations System RequirementsSystem DesignExperimental WaiverLaboratory Test PlanLaboratory TestField Installation of IWSField Operational Test of IWS

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IWS – Project Time Line

Nov 2007 - Project Kick offNov 07 to Jan 08 - Concept of OperationsDec 07 to Feb 08 - System RequirementsJan 08 to June 08 - System DesignJuly 08 to Aug 08 - Laboratory TestAug 08 - Field InstallationSept 08- April 09 - Field Operational Test

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Concept

Radio/Radar

Sign Controller

12x12x6

Optional Radar Presence Detector

Optional

Magnetometer

9x4x4

Battery/Battery Box

20x13x12

Warning Sign at Intersection

Solar Array

29x25x1.5

Advance Warning Sign

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Initial Test Site - Medina

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Medina Drive

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Warning Sign Node

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Warning Sign Node

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Controller Cabinet

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Controller Cabinet

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Controller Cabinet Electronics

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Detector Node

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Detector Node

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Detector Node

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Detector Node

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Detector Node

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Battery Box

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Four-Way Intersection CR-47 and Lawndale

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Solar Panel & Controller Cabinet

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Battery Box

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Warning Sign Node (Shadow Mode)

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CR 47 Looking East

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Lawndale Avenue Looking North

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CR 47 Looking West

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CR 47 West Detector Node Looking East

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Backside of West Detector Node

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Evaluation Data Collection

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Other Examples

Other uses of TechnologyCurve Warning SystemBlind Merge Warning SystemWork Zone Warning SystemData Collection System

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Curve Warning

Status-LRRB Grant applied for by

Washington County

2 Line

VMS

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Blind Merge Warning

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Data Collection SystemStealthy small radar based traffic data collection (Stop Sign Mount)Provide detail speed data on approaching vehicles (Did it Stop?)

Time Stamp ( Time of day bad behavior?)

Self contained battery powered (>2 weeks ?)

Use Excel for analysis

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Applications:Intersection driver performance. This system measures speed profile of each vehicle coming to stop sign.Work zone performance measurements. This system consists of one or more devices that log speed data of vehicle moving through workzone. Speed Limit determination measurements. This application requires speed data over a number of vehicles during a several day period. From this data the average speeds are determined and from this data speed limits are set.

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IWS – ContactsDennis Foderberg SEH, Inc. 651-491-0878dfoderberg@sehinc.com

Ginny CrowsonMn/DOT – OTSO651-234-7058Ginny.Crowson@dot.state.mn.us

Gordon MelbyNTT, LLC612-590-8912Gm1529@comcast.net

Marthand Nookala, P.E.Hennepin County612-348-4306Marthand.Nookala@co.Hennepin.mn.us

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Thank You!

Questions?