Hello! This is the third part of a three-part introductory series. Here we look at how Wavetronix is the reliable and cost-effective choice when it comes to vehicle detection.
At first glance, it may seem like it would be more expensive to use SmartSensors - after all, one SmartSensor unit obviously costs more than an inductive loop - but that’s not an accurate portrayal. We’ve already discussed how much quicker and easier it is to install SmartSensors, so you save money on installation; but one SmartSensor is also able to do the work of many inductive loops and they last for several loop lifecycles, making SmartSensor the overall economical choice.
In Collier County, Florida they were trying to do advance detection with inductive loops, but it was too expensive.
“The loops that were required for dilemma zone detection are so far back and you need multiple sets of them,” says Randy Ensell, project manager for Collier County Traffic Operations. “We have a lot of six-lane through roadways here and lots of exits where we’d have to do directional bores so it’s very expensive. Too expensive. With Wavetronix, we’re saving a ton of money.”
After seeing how the Advance worked perfectly, and how one device covered the entire approach, they found they saved thousands of dollars per intersection when they used Advance.
In Greenville, North Carolina, the city is replacing loops with SmartSensor Matrix for stop bar detection and is saving tax dollars by reducing maintenance costs.
“We’re always looking for ways to do things better and more cost-effectively, and SmartSensor Matrix makes that possible,” says Richard DiCesare, Greenville traffic engineer. “With Matrix, we really are getting more for each taxpayer dollar by leveraging the safety, mobility, data collection and cost- and time-saving benefits it provides.”
Not only is Greenville saving money on maintenance, they see savings because Matrix brings improvements to safety, mobility, data collections and more.
Now we look at reliability. For an ITS application to be reliable it must work first time, every time. If it doesn’t, safety and efficiency go out the window. Also, when things break down, traffic engineers hear about it.
Istanbul is one of Europe’s most congested cities. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Traffic Department has tried a broad mix of detection technologies, including loops, Bluetooth Sensors, cameras and magnetometers, to make their hi-tech ITS applications work properly but with disappointing results.
“Some of these technologies are difficult to keep working properly after their initial configuration. Also, we have received negative feedback from our driving public when sensors fail to work and do not detect accurate traffic flow speeds,” says Esma Dilek, a software engineer for the IMM Traffic Department, “The data we get from SmartSensor HD allows us to provide drivers with more accurate journey time information, and this allows them to make better driving decisions.”
Once they started using SmartSensor HD, they found the reliability they needed to keep their systems running and to keep the angry phone calls from happening.
In Atlanta, Georgia there is a problematic intersection on Stone Mountain Highway where a 70 mph freeway transforms into a 45 mph surface street with little warning. Stop bar and advance detection are crucial to maintain the safety of this intersection, unfortunately the cameras used for detection were unreliable and unable to detect traffic in the sun glare of morning and evening or in heavy rain, fog, or at night.
That intersection now benefits from SmartSensor Advance and Matrix, both able to run and detect traffic in all weather and lighting conditions.
Finally, let’s talk about support. We recognize that people are more familiar with inductive loops than with our radar and that adopting a new system can be a gamble. That’s why we offer comprehensive support during every step of the project, from the planning room to the side of the road and beyond. We even offer educational classes to make anyone a radar expert.
In Kuwait, SmartSensor HD is used by Alshamlam International in temporary detection stations to gather data for evaluating and planning new transportation systems.
When they decided to go with SmartSensor, Wavetronix deployed a team of certified instructors to ensure their technical team knew all the ins and outs of the HD system.
“We are very impressed with Wavetronix and their commitment to the success of their customers,” says Ahmad Mneimen, project manager and traffic consultant for Alshamlan International. “Wavetronix certified instructors trained our technical team to ensure they were able to properly install and configure SmartSensor HD.”
Astana, Kazakhstan is undergoing a radical transformation with a rapidly growing population and an expanding transportation system.
The Kazakhstan Ministry of Transport and Communications utilizes SmartSensor HD and Matrix to keep several ITS applications running and benefited from continuous support from Wavetronix, including onsite assistance and classroom training, sharing the lessons learned from the thousands of installations across the world.
“Wavetronix provided assistance and support through every step of the process, including onsite and classroom training,” saysd Viktor Masalevichious, chief expert on traffic at SMEU-Astana.
We know working in the transportation sector is one of the most important jobs there is. A safe and efficient roadway affects everyone whether they realize it or not. From commuters going to and from work, to the necessary movement of goods and services, to families going on holiday, our job is to keep people moving. In the end, this industry is about helping people live their lives better.
With that in mind I have a question. I want you to think of the effort, work hours and money it currently takes to install and service inductive loops or other detection systems. Now ask yourselves, “What could I accomplish if I didn’t have to do that?" Imagine if you took the bandwidth currently devoted to making sure detection works - all the resources, man-hours and money - and funneled it into other areas. What could you accomplish? Could you come up with something that truly makes people’s lives better?
We love that question because the answer is yes. We’ve seen agencies come up with some amazing solutions. With the powerful data generated by our sensors and without the drain on resources other detection methods require, we’ve seen people create truly innovative solutions that make a real, measurable difference in people’s lives - and it something we’re proud to be a part of.