ITS News
ARTIC Completes Tests
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Operational tests of the Advanced Rural Transportation and Information Coordination (ARTIC) project have been completed. ARTIC is an effort by Mn/DOT, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the State Patrol, Arrowhead Transit, and the city of Virginia to improve response time for accident and road condition emergencies.
Applications of ITS (intelligent transportation systems) technology are hard at work at the communications center, the heart of the project. From one location, information can be accessed and distributed for all the involved agencies. AVL (automatic vehicle location), computerized mapping, RWIS (road and weather information systems), and other functions are being performed-and are working well, according to project manager Dick Maddern. "Minnesota can look forward to more of these communication stations," he says.
Other components of the project have been implemented elsewhere in Minnesota. AVL and mobile data terminals already have been installed in buses and Mn/DOT vehicles. "Technology from the project keeps expanding and finding new uses," Maddern said. For example, a search and rescue plane has been equipped with similar systems.
Snowplows can also benefit from this project. From an onboard terminal interface with the communications center, sand spreader information can be downloaded from the truck to the communications center.
According to Maddern, the main emphasis now is launching other centers like Virginia's all over Minnesota.
Operational tests ran from October 1997 to September 1998. A full report of findings will be available in February.
Communication Centers Move Forward
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The Mn/DOT and ADDCO Inc. contract to produce transportation operation communications centers (TOCCs) for Duluth and St. Cloud received final approval in November. These two TOCCs will serve as operational tests for a statewide network of nine centers.
The TOCCs will act as virtual spaces for organization of information that is received from travel information networks, closed circuit television, portable traffic management systems, and other information sources. The information will then be disseminated through phone, push services, and the Internet.
Equipment and management will physically be located in Mn/DOT district offices to foster partnerships between Mn/DOT, the State Patrol, and other public agencies. The TOCCs will be located in nine communities: Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Marshall, Rochester, St. Cloud, Thief River Falls, and Virginia.
The goal of the projects in Duluth and St. Cloud is to provide systems that can adapt to changes in the population and their needs, realizing the benefits of more efficient and expanded dispatch coverage and combine use of communications infrastructure.
The information architecture of the TOCC and features used will have applications specific to each regional area. For example, the severe weather and unusual topography of Duluth present unique challenges to navigation. This creates a need for timely information about road/weather conditions, events, and alternate routes; swift incident response; and a central location for information on all modes of transportation.
Application of technology developed through other ITS projects and new research have gone into the various tools used for remote monitoring and relaying of information. As Jim Kranig, Mn/DOT project manager, points out, "One application is ice road sensors that will send information about the road condition to the TOCC and then be relayed to variable message signs and automated deicing equipment. Through the TOCC deployment, the final applications of many research efforts can be realized."
For more information about this program, see the Mn/DOT Guidestar Program http://www.dot.state.mn.us/trim/ats/guidestar/index.shtml web page.