The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has enhanced and expanded its wireless traffic communications network in the City of Laredo, with the deployment of additional equipment from Intuicom.
Laredo was challenged with finding an effective way to interconnect its traffic signals back to the TxDOT Traffic Operations Center (TOC), so that staff could easily monitor and upload timing plans to them. As many agencies and municipalities have discovered, fiber simply is not a viable option for some intersections or budgets. In situations like this, broadband wireless is proving itself to be the ideal solution. The deployment of the new equipment was made in conjunction with Intuicom’s authorized distributor for Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, Fort Worth-based Twincrest Technologies, and represents an expansion of Laredo’s wireless signal interconnect initiative making use of Intuicom’s Nitro58 Wireless Broadband Radios.
Intuicom’s relationship with TxDOT is based on the agency’s recognition with the company’s wireless communications systems, which have previously demonstrated their ability to be a cost-effective medium for transmitting bandwidth-intense data from intersections back to TxDOT’s TOC. This latest deployment of Intuicom broadband radios represents an ongoing expansion of TxDOT’s existing wireless traffic network interconnect. Intuicom’s Nitro58 radios were selected for their extended range and secure, high capacity throughput, providing the overriding framework for this project. Compliant with IEEE 802.11n wireless network standards, Intuicom’s Nitro58 line of products use 5GHz technology to deliver up to 300Mbps over the extended range and higher throughput require by bandwidth intensive applications.
To augment their broadband radios, TxDOT in Laredo also licensed Intuicom’s BroadBandPro Enterprise Network Management Software, which automatically discovers, configures, optimizes, and secures their Intuicom wireless network. The patented BroadBandPro management software, features: drag-and-drop network configuration, real-time bi-directional network link data, and a performance dashboard that intuitively communicates network performance parameters, including ping latency, signal-to-noise ratio, and Tx/Rx CCQ.
The combination of hardware and management software ensures that TxDOT in Laredo has reliable and secure high speed data communications connecting all the city’s intersections. This scalable wireless solution works seamlessly with the city’s existing Trafficware Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), enabling the centralized monitoring and management of the entire traffic network from the city’s TOC.
“TxDOT’s stated mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods,” noted Tom Foley, president and CEO of Intuicom. “Our broadband wireless radios play a key role in helping TxDOT achieve their mission, while providing cost-effective, centrally-managed wireless network solutions for communities like Laredo.”
