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SpeedInfo Sensors Give Up-to-the-Minute Traffic Information to Commuters North of Seattle
SAN JOSE, Calif.-(Business Wire)-March 27, 2008 - SpeedInfo Inc., provider of the most accurate and lowest cost solution for directly measuring traffic flow, announced today the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has deployed SpeedInfo's solar-powered Doppler radar sensors along Interstate 5 north of Seattle. This is the second deployment of SpeedInfo sensors by WSDOT this year. In January, WSDOT installed sensors along I-5 between Dupont and Fort Lewis. SpeedInfo sensors provide real-time traffic information to WSDOT directly into the state's local traffic management center and to commuters through WSDOT's Website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/.
Traffic congestion has increased significantly on I-5 in the greater Seattle area in recent years, as housing and the economy have expanded. In many locations, this growth creates demands for information on traffic conditions where no data exists. WSDOT deployed SpeedInfo sensors on a 10-mile stretch of freeway from Everett to Arlington to provide this needed traffic information.
"Our objective was to, as cost effectively as possible, obtain reliable, up-to-the-minute traffic information for this area of I-5 where we previously lacked information," said Ghadeer Baghai, ITS Integration Engineer/Northwest Region for WSDOT. "We reviewed multiple approaches and technologies, and determined that SpeedInfo's Doppler radar system provided the optimal solution. The SpeedInfo solution was especially effective when we needed to collect data during a period of construction in areas where we currently lack electricity or communications."
"WSDOT's use of the sensors north of the Seattle area demonstrates their willingness to evaluate new methods for improving data collection and supports the effectiveness of our system, especially our solar-powered approach. Despite the area's frequently cloudy and rainy weather, our sensors have worked flawlessly," said Charlie Armiger, SpeedInfo's Vice President of Program Development. "We have created a business model that gives DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) a turnkey solution that includes deployment, testing, maintenance and support, so that these organizations can be assured of consistently accurate and available data."
Mr. Armiger continued, "SpeedInfo has more than 700 sensors installed nationwide operating in all weather conditions. Improved, real-time traffic speed information helps DOTs, MPOs, businesses, consumers and drivers by providing current speed updates every minute for every mile. This information improves safety, incident and emergency response times and enhances government support services while at the same time enabling drivers to make decisions with more reliable data."
How SpeedInfo's Technology Works
SpeedInfo's Doppler radar sensors are mounted on light or signage poles. Sensors are located approximately every mile and collect traffic speed information continuously. Sensors forward data to the SpeedInfo Traffic Data Server via the AT&T Wireless(R) data network with virtually no latency. SpeedInfo servers format the data for delivery to customers via the Internet. The data is available from SpeedInfo servers in a standard XML format, or if required, specialized formats. Unlike other solutions that are expensive, difficult to deploy, and provide inaccurate data, SpeedInfo's sensors install easily on existing infrastructure. Highway crews can cover as many as 15 miles of highway a day with no lane closures or disruption to traffic.
About SpeedInfo
SpeedInfo is a leading innovator of real-time traffic data networks. In addition to providing advanced traffic sensor technology, SpeedInfo server software and network expertise combine to create a commercial data infrastructure that eliminates existing problems with data latency, reliability and comprehensive coverage. In addition to state and local Departments of Transportation and Metro Planning Organizations, SpeedInfo customers include mass media organizations that provide traffic information that radio and television networks broadcast to consumers, traffic aggregation companies, and mobile application developers, such as content providers for automotive navigation systems. Founded in 2002, SpeedInfo is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information, please visit www.speedinfo.com.
About the Washington State Department of Transportation
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), led by a Secretary and overseen by the Governor, is a Washington governmental agency that constructs, maintains, and regulates the use of the state's transportation infrastructure. This infrastructure includes rail lines, state highways, state ferries (considered part of the highway system) and state airports. For more information, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov.
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