Smart Sensors To Hit The Highway
Drivers in Alberta, Canada, could soon be traveling “smart roads” that are equipped with sophisticated technical tools to upgrade safety and lower congestion.
Alberta recently initiated a C$500,000 study of the advantages of forming an “intelligent Transportation System” in the province. The system employs several technologies, including the Internet, in-road sensors, and real-time message boards to transmit possibly life-saving data to drivers.
Alberta will study the risks, expenses, and advantages of six primary road-safety technologies:
–Dynamic message signs which relay real-time data to caution drivers about accidents or other possible delays or detours;
–Road weather data systems to alert drivers of potentially dangerous conditions and permit repair crews to respond to the situations;
–Communication technologies, such as radio broadcasts and the Internet, to present road information to drivers to enable them to plan their trips;
–Real-time traveler data and speed management signs to heighten safety for drivers and road crews during construction;
Traffic control signs on ramps to lower congestion and upgrade traffic flow;
–Road sensors and video cameras that offer immediate information to police and emergency personnel, improving response times.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Calgary Herald (07/07/03); Reid, Mark. http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=10ca62e5-8256-496d-a6a0-44d6ca9b3191
