Moscow traffic detection equipment will gather data as part of research project with University of Idaho

Nearly a dozen detection cameras mounted on a single traffic signal in downtown Moscow are helping gather data as part of an extensive research partnership between the Idaho Transportation Department and the University of Idaho.

The test location is at the intersection of U.S. 95 and D Street.

When traffic detection equipment senses a vehicle, it sends an indication to the signal controller that there is a vehicle waiting for a green light, said ITD District 2 Traffic Engineer Jared Hopkins.

A total of 12 devices from different vendors, will be fully installed by Dec. 2014 with testing and data collection to occur until April 2015. University of Idaho researchers will analyze the results and work with ITD engineers and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to determine which traffic detection equipment is most accurate for signalized intersections.

A final report will be available to ITD and FHWA in Mar. 2016. The research project, which totals $149,866, is funded through ITD's research program using State Planning and Research funds.

"There are so many different types of detection equipment--sonar, infrared, radar, video and hybrid--and they all respond differently in rain, snow, fog and other conditions," Hopkins said. "We are interested in the most accurate, so motorists spend less time sitting at lights that aren't functioning as efficiently as they should."

 

Published 10-17-14