Real-Time Traffic Flow Solution for Washington DC

SpeedInfo Inc., a provider of technology measuring traffic flow, just announced the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation has deployed 50 SpeedInfo Doppler radar sensors to measure traffic speeds on major arterials and evacuation routes from the District. In support of Operation Fast Forward II and the DDOT Traffic Management Center, the speed sensor installations provide coverage for six evacuation routes from the National Mall to the Beltway. The SpeedInfo system provides comprehensive and unique flow coverage for downtown arterials, Interstate I-295 and I-395. The flow data from this sensor network will be used to evaluate emergency signal timing patterns and emergency transportation communication protocols as well as offer improved traveler information.

This program is intended to evacuate people from the Capitol City is the most efficient way possible. The network is to operate 24 hours per day and measure average traffic speeds for both limited access highways and arterial routes. The adaptive sensors provide programmable sampling rates and can adapt to changing conditions automatically. Recent advances in algorithm development correlate flow with signal timing to enable traffic engineers to establish very accurate travel times and improved signal timing patterns.

How does it work? The sensors are mounted on light or signage poles and are solar powered. Sensors are located approximately every mile and collect traffic speed information continuously. The collected data is forwarded to the SpeedInfo traffic Data Server instantly. SpeedInfo servers format the data for delivery to customers via the Internet. The data is available from our server in a standard XML format, or if required, specialized formats. Good to know if your travels take you to Washington DC.