Situational Awareness System Improves Daily and Emergency Responsiveness
By Laura Parsons, Process Improvement Intern
Dec. 27, 2016
Imagine a computer system where traffic operators anticipate accidents and weather delays before they happen, maintenance vehicles are alerted right when a car slides on the ice and dynamic message signs update road conditions the moment ice begins to form on the pavement.
By applying Situational Awareness System software, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is closer than ever to making this scenario a reality and improving its responsiveness to daily operations and emergency situations.
Traffic Operations Center
CDOT's Historic System
CDOT traffic maintenance workers and operators have historically had to navigate multiple systems to analyze road conditions, consuming valuable time. Changing to one platform increases our ability to find traffic incidents, traffic delays, and maintenance locations, and enhances employees' situational awareness by providing access to a single source of roadway information.
The Future of Situational Awareness: Real-Time Data
How does it work?
Situational awareness system (SAS) software pulls disparate traffic operations and maintenance systems into one common operating picture and management system. This single system:
gives the CDOT Transportation Management Center and field staff real-time information about traffic and weather conditions, and operational assets;
allows CDOT to maintain constant operations;
provides a way to share key information among departments; and
increases our understanding of available resources.
Interstate traffic
Applying SAS software to roadway awareness will give CDOT experts "a handle on what's happening on our roads so we can respond in a timely, well-prepared manner," said Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Manager Saeed Sobhi.
SAS should not be cumbersome, said Transportation System Management and Operations (TSM&O) Director Ryan Rice. Easy access to information in the system will increase accurate communication among departments. Rice provided an example in the event of a snowstorm.
"If maintenance reports 10 cars have been abandoned on Monarch Pass, there will be no confusion if tow trucks are needed," Rice said. "Increased accuracy of information will allow for better use of resources."
Roadway congestion
Change Coming to CDOT
With SAS, CDOT traffic operators, maintenance field technicians, and contractors in the field will be able to access one system containing current weather conditions, incident reports, lane closures, and traffic cameras. They'll also be able to update the system if they see an incident and share information with other crews.
The goal of situational awareness will be achieved when every field and operations center employee has access to SAS in an easy-to-use format. The first step to achieve this will be establishing the single system. As new technology becomes available, CDOT will continue to add weather and trend patterns that record conditions to the system.
Snowstorm maintenance
Giving employees the right tools to apply available technology will increase operational safety and efficiency.
"We can have all the best technology in the world, but without a system that allows employees to use the technology it won't really matter," Rice said. "We can have the best sensors and analytics, but if there is no system in place for human application, then the analytics are not being optimized."