The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has announced it was awarded a contract to Econolite, part of Umovity, to deploy intelligent lidar-based traffic signal detection systems.
Econolite will use Ouster’s 3D digital lidar in combination with Ouster BlueCity, a turnkey traffic management platform for intelligent signal actuation and analytics, to enhance traffic flow, safety, and operational efficiencies at intersections and roadways throughout the state.
The lidar solution will support UDOT’s traffic signal actuation use case and safety-related applications, such as vulnerable road user (VRU) detection and V2X message protocols. The complete solution also integrates UDOT’s roadside units (RSUs) and will be managed through an edge computing system.
“We are pleased that UDOT chose us to deliver on this strategic lidar detection project that focuses on improving traffic management and intersection safety with real-time lidar data collection,” says Jim Madden, Econolite’s vice president of US Sales. “By leveraging Ouster BlueCity and Econolite’s Cobalt controllers powered by EOS, UDOT will be able to leverage real-time insights into traffic flow, multimodal road user behaviors, and potential safety risks. The solution will also integrate seamlessly with UDOT’s existing traffic signal system, supporting dynamic traffic signal interventions designed to improve safety for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.”
Ouster BlueCity combines Ouster’s high-resolution digital lidar with deep-learning AI perception software and data analytics to create a real-time digital traffic twin of an intersection or road. The solution provides reliable 3D detection, classification and tracking of multimodal road users in adverse weather and lighting conditions. The cloud-based dashboard makes lidar data available 24/7, requiring no other external aggregated data sources or manual data collection efforts. In addition, the solution is non-invasive and typically requires no road closures or ongoing maintenance.
As part of the traffic signal detection project, a UDOT committee assessed six proposed lidar detection systems and determined five met the minimum requirements. Based on the technical evaluation that included company experience, customer support, and warranties, Econolite received the highest overall vendor score with its proposed Ouster BlueCity integrated solution.
“We are thrilled to partner with Econolite to deploy a complete lidar-detection traffic solution in Utah, which performed the best in a comprehensive evaluation of competitive systems,” says Itai Dadon, vice president of Smart Infrastructure at Ouster. “By modernizing its road infrastructure with Ouster BlueCity, Utah can provide more efficient, more scalable, and safer streets for all road users.”
The five-year contract with Econolite to deploy the Ouster lidar detection solution with UDOT’s existing traffic signal and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) follows on the heels of a grant awarded to Utah by the FHWA to lead the Connected West Project, spanning Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming to serve as a national model to accelerate and spur new deployments of V2X technologies. This program is part of the Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment initiative. Econolite has already received an order for an initial 15 Ouster BlueCity systems.
