Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) has recently completed the deployment of its Opticom transit and emergency vehicle priority control systems for three projects in Canada, Florida and the District of Columbia.
GTT has contracted with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the expansion of its latest-generation GPS-equipped Opticom Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system, on the I-4 corridor project. The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority serves the greater Orlando area, as well as Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties, through transit agencies such as Lynx. An additional 30 transit vehicles in its fleet will be equipped with TSP transmitters, allowing them to request green light priority at intersections, helping to ensure on-time arrival for transit passengers. The Opticom TSP system allows public transportation agencies to extend or truncate green cycle times at traffic signals for more accurate schedule adherence and/or get riders to their destinations faster. In turn, transit vehicles are on the road less, which can significantly reduce fuel and other fleet operations costs.
In Canada, GTT has contracted with the District of Saanich’s Police Department in British Columbia, for the implementation of its latest-generation GPS-enabled Opticom pre-emption solution, which works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections rapidly and safely. Saanich Police join the Saanich Fire Department as users of the Opticom system, providing full emergency vehicle services across Vancouver Island’s largest municipality. The Opticom solution includes a GPS component for location, direction, speed and ETA; and wireless radio communications between authorized emergency vehicles and the intersections they approach. When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection quickly and safely, a request is sent to the intersection’s controller ahead of its arrival, turning the light green and clearing a path to enable the vehicle’s safe passage.
In Washington DC, GTT is helping to improve the bus riding experience for passengers by equipping 195 intersections with its Opticom TSP system with help from a federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant. The funding was given to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, with a proportion of the grant used to upgrade 195 intersections with TSP, and the remainder used upgrade and improve the region’s bus stops, including: real-time arrival information displayed digitally or audibly; brighter lights; and more aesthetically pleasing designs.
GTT’s president, Doug Roberts, commented, “We’re delighted to continue helping to expand the Central Florida TSP system, and helping to provide riders with even more efficient operations. We look forward to our continued partnership with FDOT. We are also pleased to continue our work with the Saanich Fire Department, and to begin a new relationship with the Saanich Police Department. Our system is helping to improve operational safety, reduce travel time to emergencies, and increase the safety of both the public and police personnel.”
