Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

TEC Engineering has experience in freeway management, design, operations and maintenance of several regional ITS systems. TEC has completed over 15 million dollars worth of ITS related work over the past 10 years. TEC was involved in one of the first ITS projects in Ohio and Kentucky. This project has won several awards from national organizations since it was deployed.

TEC has the capability to provide design services for a regional ITS system. This includes developing detailed plans, specifications and engineering estimates for the deployment of ITS functions. Our comprehensive approach addresses needs assessment, analyzes alternatives, compares those alternatives and maximizes the life cycle of the system. Our design accounts for the on-going maintenance and operations of the system. Given TEC’s experience in operations and maintenance, we apply practical knowledge and understanding of Freeway Management Systems to the system design. Employing a user’s perspective provides insights, that may be less obvious, on project design aspects such as the placement of field devices, including cameras, changeable message signs, detectors, and permanent counting stations. Our extensive maintenance experience also enables us to focus on aspects of the system design such as selecting equipment with lowering devices to provide for quicker and easier maintenance. These considerations have many long term benefits such as minimizing the equipment that is needed for maintenance, such as a bucket truck, and minimizing lane closures to service equipment.

TEC performs research and testing of equipment and technologies in-house. Building on our experience, previous best practices, and research of vendors and manufactures, we make informed decisions on design recommendations and considerations. In addition, our design considerations are consistent with local and national architecture and technologies. Implementation standards employed during the design phases of the project enable quality control throughout the life of the system and enhance its benefits.

TEC has experience in designing a statewide Incident Management on Freeways and Expressways Program. As part of the plan, potential freeway closure locations are identified and a plan is outlined to provide alternative routes as well as a list of the appropriate person or agencies to notify in that particular case. The alternative routes serve as a detour and are typically parallel to the interstate. Secondary routes are also included in the “Playbook” which is disseminated to all affected agencies.

Maintenance
TEC has skilled and experienced personnel with the necessary qualifications to maintain ITS equipment. These devices include cameras, microwave detectors, loop detectors, vehicle message signs, vehicle identification detectors and mile marker signs. As part of maintenance, our staff under the importance of continually monitoring automated reports for problems. TEC establishes policies for response time to system failures and consistently responds within the agreed upon time period. In addition to repair maintenance, preventive maintenance is deemed just as critical to the continued success and operation of the ITS system. Regular camera cleaning, lubrication of the gears and changing filters are all part of our preventative maintenance. The mile markers are also regularly checked for damages and necessary replacements. New equipment is integrated into the system by our maintenance staff, as well.

ITS Studies
TEC is skilled in developing city-wide and regional studies for ITS and transportation systems. Our experience with these projects includes research, analysis, stakeholder involvement and benefit assessment. TEC has experience in research and analysis of topics such as system architecture, operations and maintenance, freeway incident management, multi-modal traveler information, public-private partnerships, technical and planning support, vehicle detection and system communication.  

Benefit/cost analysis is critical for any project in order to realize the impact of a new system or changes to the system. TEC performs benefits assessment for individual projects which consists of a summary of the expected qualitative benefits followed by a listing of measured benefits realized through the real world deployment examples. Associated costs are identified and are used to prioritize, strategize and plan for the phasing of projects. TEC also has experience in researching possible funding sources to assist with project costs.  

TEC's firsthand experience in daily operations and maintenance functions at regional ITS traffic control center allows TEC to offer specific recommendations regarding operations and maintenance. In addition, TEC can evaluate specific operations and maintenance needs for the physical elements of the recommended system architecture components, both at the project level and the overall program area level.

Arterial Management and Operations
TEC has extensive hands-on traffic operations experience, gained while acting as City Traffic Engineer to numerous communities. TEC has developed an in-house traffic control center where we can monitor communities’ traffic signal systems in real tim on major arterials using a central office monitoring computers and IP cameras which transmit video over wireless networks and the internet. The control center is intended to further enhance the maintenance of traffic during incidents, congestion, construction, special events, etc.

ARTIMIS (Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky)

TRIMARC (Louisville Kentucky/ Southeast Indiana)