KLK134: An Intersection Traffic Data Collection Device Utilizing Logging Capabilities of Traffic Controllers and Current Traffic Sensors

Principal Investigator

Project Objectives

The objectives of this research project are to:

1. Develop an intersection data collection interface device ready for field deployment
2. Install the device in a signalized intersection in ITD District 2, and
3. Evaluate the devices effectiveness and reliability of the traffic volume and signal operation information collected in the field.

Task Descriptions

This project introduces a data collection interface device that utilizes existing sensors and the data logging capabilities of traffic controllers that was developed in the University of Idaho’s National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. The interface device can be installed in the controller cabinet and allows traffic engineers to continuously access sensor and controller operation data. The data interface device functions as a temporary data collection device at signalized intersections. The interface device can be accessed from the district office over any communication channel available in the field. The proposed data collection device has several potential advantages:

1. 
   The data items that can be monitored are not limited by what data items are polled by or the frequency they are polled, by the vendor of the closed loop or central system software, if any.
2. Intelligent data acquisition devices can be embedded in the signal cabinet that execute data tabulation logic and are accessible via web browsers over an IP based communication.
3. The system will be completely isolated from the ITD operations and will not impact the operation of the ITD signal systems.

Task 1. Synthesis of previous work. A literature search will be conducted to document previous work that has been completed on this topic.

Task 2. Document current detector configurations. The purpose of this task is to identify and document different detection methods and detector configurations used in different districts. The task will include an inventory for the detector type, configuration, and type of cabinets for selected number intersections throughout the state.

Task 3. Develop and test a prototype for the intersection data collection device. A prototype for the device will be developed and test in NIATT lab using the hardware-in-the-loop simulation capability available in the lab.

Task 4. Stage 1 field testing. This task will also be done in NIATT lab. ITD District 2 will assist in this task by providing a cabinet for the device connectivity testing and by installing a detector that is connected to the cabinet in UI campus. This task will examine different installation and data retrieval options.

Task 5. Stage II field testing. This task will include the installation of the data collection device in three intersections in District 2. The purpose of this task is to verify the accuracy of the traffic counts by comparing it against manual counts.

Task 6. Recommendations, guidelines and Implementation plan. Based on the results of tasks 5 and 6, a set of recommendations and guidelines will be prepared that can be used by ITD traffic engineering staff.

Task 7. Preparation of final report and two journal and conference publications. A report summarizing the work completed during the project will be completed and submitted to the technical oversight committee.

Milestones

Task Date Synthesis of previous work. Month 1 Document current detector configurations Month 2 Develop and test a prototype Month 4 Stage I field testing Month 6 Stage II field testing Month 9 Recommendations, guidelines and Implementation plan Month 10 Preparation of final report Months 12 & 13

Budget Information

Student Involvement

• ECE Graduate student [full academic year and summer]
     Role: model development and documentation
• CE Graduate student [Spring Semester]
     Role: Student will assist in model development, testing and documentation
• ECE Undergraduate student (to be determined)
     Role: Student will assist in model development, hard construction, testing and documentation
• CE Undergraduate student (to be determined)
     Student will assist in model development, testing and documentation

Relationship to the NIATT Strategic Plan and to Other Research Projects

This project supports the NIATT strategic plan and current research in several ways.

1. Traffic control system technologies that are essential to the national intelligent transportation infrastructure.
2. Capacity building: This project will address a major federal priority and the needs of ITD and other government organizations in the northwest and nationwide.
3. Strong educational program: This project will help further the development of a strong educational program for undergraduate and graduate students.

This project supports the NIATT and UTC program goals in the following ways:

1. Human resources: One Civil Engineering faculty, One Electric Engineering Faculty, two undergraduate students, and two graduate students from the CE and EE departments will be involved in this project.
2. Research performance goal: By funding this proposal, the body of knowledge in transportation will be advanced in two areas: HILS and its advanced applications, and the possibility of using CID technology to test NTCIP compliant.
3. Technology transfer: The investigators and students will publish their results in scholarly journals and professional conferences.

NIATT projects
This project will help support the Moscow ITS project.

Technology Transfer Activities

The primary products will be methodologies and these will be published in scholarly journals and conference proceedings. One publication will be submitted to the 2008 Transportation Research Board Annual meeting. Another conference publication will be submitted to the 2007 IEEE ITS conference. Materials will be prepared for use in traffic operations courses. The specifications created will be used by ITD and other agencies.