With aims to drastically improve motorist safety and mobility, the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Smart & Connected Corridors (Route 1/Route 295) project is a first-of-its-kind deployment of emerging and cutting-edge roadside technology.
Providing lead design and construction engineering support, HNTB worked alongside NJDOT to implement three unique roadside systems: Connected Vehicle Roadside Units (RSU), Wrong-Way Vehicle Detection Systems (WWVDS), and an intelligent edge-computing platform.
As the state’s first large-scale Connected Vehicle installation e, over 75 RSUs were installed across 46 miles of US 1 and I-295. These units collect traffic mobility and road condition data that is then used to communicate direct, real-time messages and alerts to motorists using in-vehicle systems (e.g., on-board units).
Envisioned to improve safety, mobility and travel time reliability, these RSU messages will include items such as road incident warnings, weather condition warnings, intersection signal statuses and more. RSUs deployed within intersections also build the opportunity for future safety messages, including Emergency Vehicle Preemption, Transit Signal Priority, Pedestrian in Crosswalk Warning and more.
After a detailed analysis of roadway geometrics, historical crash data, existing traffic control devices and regional socio-economic factors, 11 sites along US 1 and I-295 were selected for the installation of New Jersey’s first WWVDS.
The integrated solution leverages thermal imaging sensors and high-definition cameras to establish a two-point detection system to positively detect and deter wrong-way driving vehicles. Upon detection, a flash sequence of high-intensity LED sign panels is aimed to capture the driver’s attention and encourage corrective maneuvers before entering the mainline.
Where motorists do not correct course, verified events initiate a customizable, large-scale response that includes broadcasting safety-based Connected Vehicle messages, alerting traffic operation centers, notifying emergency responders and more.
A robust edge-computing platform for the monitoring, management and implementation of Connected Vehicle applications was a critical component of the project.
Hardware upgrades in each controller within the project limits include improved network switches and industrial computing gateways. The Cisco® Edge Intelligence Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform will enable a scalable environment to automate and apply business logic from multiple devices and sensors to apply edge intelligence.
Looking Forward
With deployments and multi-system integrations spanning more than 46 miles along both US 1 and I-295, the new applications systems will expand NJDOT’s capabilities to manage and operate arterial and limited-access corridors and foster scalability for future efforts.
Location: New Jersey
Client: New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
Services: Lead design, construction engineering support