What is Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)?
Intelligent Transportation Systems applies advanced technologies of electronics, communications, computers, control and sensing and detecting in all kinds of transportation system in order to improve safety, efficiency and service, and traffic situation through transmitting real-time information.
What are the benefits of these systems?
These benefits are provided to enhance safety, and increase mobility by providing traveler information regarding travel times and congestion through the use of advanced information and device technologies which aid transportation agencies to operate more efficiently while considering the needs and concerns of the surrounding community.
What components have the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority have implemented for ITS?
The Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority currently has traffic control system on some corridors that monitor the vehicular flow in real-time on signalized intersections and adjust the signal timing depending on the quantity of vehicles passing through the intersection. Other devices include microwave radar detectors to collect and store data (volume, speed, classification, among others) for planning and in the future for performance measuring and disseminate traveler information, and surveillance cameras to monitor the traffic flow at the intersection.
What types of devices are used to collect and disseminate information traffic information?
Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS), Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras, vehicle detector stations, and video detector cameras.
What is the function of Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS)?
A PCMS is an electronic sign place along the roadway to provide motorist with traffic information. This typically consists of construction projects, special events or detours, and in the future will include incident information and travel times.
What is the function of a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera?
A CCTV is a camera which transmits live video the Traffic Management Center (TMC) viewing monitors with the purpose of monitoring traffic conditions along the roadways.
What is the function of the Vehicle Detectors Stations (VDS)?
A VDS detects the passage and presence of vehicles on the roadways to determine traffic volumes and vehicle speeds, among other traffic data. This information is the transmitted to the TMC to be stored and use later on during the transportation system planning functions of the Authority. In the future, this information will be used to assist in the detection of incidents along the roadways and for the calculation of travel times.
What is the function of the cameras on top of traffic signals?
These cameras are used to detect the passage and presence of vehicles on an intersection with the purpose of determining how much time will be assigned to each approach of an intersection. Typically, as more vehicles are detected on a specific approach the camera will detect them and extend the green time to allow the passage of these vehicles and avoid creating a queue; this extension is done until the time allowed for that specific approach reached the maximum time allowed and then traffic signal turns red.
Do the cameras record traffic accidents or used for traffic violations?
No, the images captured by these cameras are not recorded; they are only used to transmit real time video.
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