Snowplow Signal Preemption Using Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) Technology

Item #: 20230038

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Traffic Management Division
Implementation Lead: Peter Jager, TTG PM
Development Team: Peter Jager (TTG PM), Panasonic (Consultants), Narwhal (Installation)

Article Written By: Matthew Smith
Innovation Council Liaison: Matthew Smith
Innovation Team Coordinator: Quinten Klingonsmith

STATUS

Implementation Date: March 1, 2019
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented (further implementation possible)
Adoptability Note: Snowplow preemption should be considered for maintenance facilities tasked with snow removal where there are traffic signals on the segments of roadway they cover.

APPLIES TO

Topic: Safety and Health
Organization(s): Central Construction, Central Maintenance/Facilities Management, Emergency Management, Equipment Operations, Incident Management, ITS, Motor Carrier Division, Performance Management, Planning, Risk Management, Traffic & Safety, Traffic Management Division, Transit/Rural Public Transit
Job Role(s): Business Analyst, Roadway Operations / IMT, Transportation Technician
Tags: highway transportation, public transit, capital productivity, labor productivity, employee empowerment, job satisfaction, occupational safety, crashes, injuries, economic benefits, expenses, expenditures, value of life, value of time, ( process improvement ), information technology >> software, networks, risk management, insurance, automated highways, connected vehicles, intelligent transport systems ( ITS ), highway operations, ( traffic operations ), maintenance, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, transit safety, environmental quality > pollution > air, noise, quality of life

PROBLEM

UDOT snowplow drivers are tasked with clearing snow off our state routes quickly and efficiently to improve safety and mobility for the traveling public. One challenge they face is stopping or slowing down at signalized traffic intersections, which disrupts the momentum required to effectively clear snow and increases the risk of traffic crashes.

CHANGE

Using current V2X technology, UDOT's transportation technology group (TTG) identified key snow-clearing routes where they installed transmitting and receiving road side units (RSUs) at traffic signals and on-board units (OBUs) inside snowplows. The OBUs in the plows communicate directly with RSUs and request a green light at the signal.

Signal phase timing is set by programmed parameters in the signal controller. Signal phase and timing (SPaT), along with basic geospatial intersection geometry called MAP, and distance data are communicated between the RSU and OBU. In advance of reaching the intersection, the signal controller will go into a preemption sequence that will clear the intersection and allow the snowplow to keep its speed and momentum with a green light.

RESULT

Using connected vehicle technology, UDOT is leading the way to improve safety and performance through the snowplow signal preemption project. This allows us to reduce the number of crashes during hazardous winter storms, attend to other areas of concern more quickly, and continue exploring capabilities of these innovative technologies in our business.

IMPACT

BETTER MOBILITY

Traffic flows much more quickly on clear roads and helps prevent congestion due to storm-related crashes

GOOD HEALTH

Cleared roads are safer, resulting in fewer crashes, injuries, and loss of life

CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Signal preemption technology helps roadways between communities remain open

STRONG ECONOMY

Snowplows that do not have to stop for red lights keep their momentum and clear many more lane miles
The economy continues to function when transportation has fewer snowstorm-related issues