Standard work zone equipment is integrated with the ATMS system through several efforts including speed management (Variable Speed Limits (VSL) for both dynamic and static displays of speed limit), ramp metering (a pilot deployment within a work zone that can deploy both static and dynamic ramp metering), and traveler information (work zone travel time, use field detectors and/or probe data to provide queue related messaging, and Integrated Corridor Management).
Work Zone
Work Zone Smart Vests for Worker Presence
A contractor in Minnesota initiated a test of the wearable vest for worker presence. An initial test is being conducted with four wearable vest sensors being used in an active work zone, which are supporting the testing of different types of applications in a virtual environment. Data from the sensors are being provided via a Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) feed to Waze but not to MnDOT.
Real-Time Arrow Board Status Information
In 2018, MnDOT conducted a one year pilot project through a contract with a vendor (Street Smart) that installed a monitoring device on 20 arrow boards that provided arrow board status information (e.g., right arrow on, left arrow on) to the vendor’s server. The arrow board status information from the server was then integrated with MnDOT’s Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) and then their Road Condition Reporting System (RCRS).
Work Zone Smart Vests to Change the Speed Limit Posted
MDOT tested two VerMac Smart Vests in a work zone as well as 12 additional modified sensors containing the same technology. The presence of one worker (or multiple workers) wearing a Smart Vest prototype sensor was used to automatically change the speed limit posted on the digital speed limit sign in the segment that the worker was present.
Real-Time Arrow Board Status Information
In 2019, the Iowa DOT had access to 5 equipped arrow boards with reporting capabilities (Street Smart, iCone, Ver-Mac) to provide real-time arrow board status information to the vendor’s server.