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TRANSMITTRANSMIT (TRANSCOM’s
System for Managing Incidents & Traffic) uses vehicles equipped with
electronic toll-collection tags (E-ZPass) as anonymous probes for transportation
management and traveler information. Transponder readers
installed along roadways are used to detect vehicles with E-ZPass tags. As tags
are detected by successive readers, the TRANSMIT system compiles aggregate data
on average speeds, travel times, and the number of non-arriving vehicles
(vehicles expected but not yet detected by the next reader downstream). By
comparing this information to historical data, TRANSMIT can detect incidents and
alert operators for response. Historical information is available either date
specific ( E-ZPass tag ID’s are encrypted by the TRANSMIT server and only a record of the trip is stored. The encrypted tag information is deleted after the vehicle has left the TRANSMIT network. TRANSMIT initially
started in 1993 as an FHWA pilot program in Bergen County (NJ) and Rockland
County (NY). At that time, the NY State Thruway was the only Agency using E-ZPass
for Electronic Toll Collection. The original deployment covered 22 miles of
roadway. Since the inception, the TRANSMIT network has grown to some 500 miles
of toll and non-toll roadways instrumented in NY State & NJ. Additional
sites have been designed for the NY State Thruway, Information on travel times between key points is an important tool for decision-making by travelers. Travel time information generated by TRANSMIT is being provided to the public via variable message signs. Signs update automatically as travel times change. Travel times are also available on the Trips123 traveler information website (www.trips123.com). TRANSCOM
is developing an application for New Jersey Transit Bus to assist in fleet
management at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. TRANSCOM
will provide NJ Transit “starters” and “chutemen” with a wireless
handheld device that will provide up to date travel time information about NJ
Transit buses. This will enable NJ Transit staff to better manage the flow of
buses in and out of the terminal. This will make TRANSMIT a multi-modal
transportation management tool. Aside from incident detection and travel times, TRANSMIT and its information have been found to be useful for the following purposes:
TRANSCOM
will be deploying the Phase III TRANSMIT application(s) in the
first half of 2006. Two of the new features will be Origin/Destination
Information and Path Travel Time. These will provide planners a powerful tool to
determine travel patterns which can aid in construction or special event
planning. Some other possible uses are:
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