Regional Transportation Management Centre and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Project Stage
About the Project
A Regional Transportation Management Centre (RTMC) is a facility that monitors and can manage the road network in real time. The data collected can be used to dynamically adapt operations across the network. This is important during collisions, extreme weather, large-scale events, and even during daily rush hour. Expanding/connecting existing software and hardware using Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) elements like live video feeds, adaptive and remote signal timing changes, communication via variable message signs, and variable speed limits will allow technology to better support the resilience and efficiency of the network. New technologies will help to optimize the network, ensuring the transportation system is being utilized to its maximum potential.
Benefits
- Allows for dynamic management of the transportation system 24/7, 365.
- Improved travel time, reliability, and reduced congestion.
- Assists in system recovery from disruptions like collisions, poor weather, and special events.
- Maximizes the efficiency of the existing system with minimal disruption / construction.
- Provides faster incident detection and response.
- Improved communication giving users real-time information to make informed travel decisions.
STATUS
Adaptive Traffic Signals
Link Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) are introducing adaptive traffic signal technology along the Macdonald Bridge corridor. Adaptive signals use camera sensors so standard traffic lights can detect real-time vehicle volumes and automatically adjust the timing of the light.
By responding to changing volumes, turning movements and congestion patterns, adaptive signals can:
- reduce delays
- improve travel times
- decrease stop-and-go conditions
- mitigate congestion during peak periods and traffic incidents.
Variable Message Signs
There are now 11 variable message signs in key corridors around HRM providing real-time messages using information from Bluetooth and Wi-fi sensors that calculate average travel times between key points.
The variable message signs are active on major approaches to both the A. Murray MacKay and Angus L. Macdonald bridges, providing up-to-the-minute information on travel times. This helps you make more informed travel decisions, allowing travelers to choose the most efficient route, and reduces uncertainty during peak periods.
These projects are an example of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Technologies like these build a strong foundation for the establishment of a future Regional Transportation Management Centre.
FROM THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Action 1.1.1: Create a Regional Transportation Management Centre (RTMC), with corresponding investments in intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
RTMC and ITS investments will improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the system and enhance the capacity to move more people and goods. A RTMC is a facility that monitors and can manage the road network in real time using elements such as live video feeds from across the network, remote signal timing changes, variable message signs, and variable speed limits, among other ITS applications. These investments will allow for dynamic management of the system, assist in the recovery from disruptions such as collisions, poor weather, and special events, and provide users with real-time information to make informed travel decisions.