This article taken from the City of Minneapolis 12th Ward News: 

Hiawatha Signal Lights – Things are Happening!

Improvements to the signal lights on Hiawatha Avenue are becoming a reality. In just a few weeks, new [M1™] controllers will be installed at 46th Street to test the new equipment. This equipment has been closely scrutinized. Public Works and the lead engineer for this project, Allan Klugman, investigated nine different products and then conducted a detailing screening of four products.

The selected controllers were tested in the Minneapolis shop through computer simulations of Hiawatha Avenue conditions. This signal equipment is used extensively in Portland [Oregon] [Note: Portland uses the same firmware from NWS, but in a 2070 configuration. The 2070 firmware is called NWSVoyage™] and contacts in that city give it high marks. A key feature needed from the new equipment is the ability to change the phasing of signals depending on other factors, such as which leg of the intersection got the turn last. So, if a train goes by, the cycle of signals does not have to start at the same place again. Instead, it could favor the cars that have been waiting the longest. This is just one aspect of the new, more sophisticated equipment. The goal is to have a new system installed and operational by this fall.”

Northwest Signal recently delivered a dozen small sign structures to the Idaho Transportation Department for use across the state. These smaller structures are of a scale suitable for use anywhere, including in urban environments. Designed to current AASHTO standards and galvanized, poles of this type will likely “out live” all of us!

NWS has also designed and delivered much larger structures, both cantilever and bridge style. If your projects need well-built, all American structures please think of us!

NWSVoyage™ has been reworked into a version that runs on the Linux OS called NWSVoyageL™. This firmware has been tested on Peek Traffic’s 2070-1C engine board and is currently in the hands of several agencies for Beta testing. NWSVoyageL™ offers two significant enhancements in its current configuration, dual independent Ethernet ports and the ability to load new firmware using a USB stick. Northwest Signal is excited to offer this version suitable for running in a controller using a “PC speed” processor.

The NWSVoyage™ 2070 application firmware now supports a direct interface Peek VideoTrak IQ processor card using a simple SDLC cable. No additional hardware or software is needed to bring up to 64 detection channels right into a standard 2070L controller. This same capability exists with any brand of NEMA TS-2 controller, including the Peek ATC-1000 and the NWS M1™ Advanced Adaptive NEMA Controller.

Peek Traffic’s New Sabre Traffic Counter (shown above) brings power, ease-of-use and cost efficiency to portable traffic counter/classifier customers. Following is a summary of the Sabre’s impressive feature set:

• Internal fixed memory: 16MB
• Expandable memory: SD card up to 4GB
• USB connectivity making for fast connection speeds
  o    Device port connects ADR-Sabre to a Windows based computer
  o    Host port allows for take away storage (i.e., USB thumb drive)
• High speed processor that provides enhanced processing granularity
• Large LCD Screen (8 lines high by 40 characters wide)
• Easy-to-use keypad with directional and function keys
• Simplified menu system
• Contact closure mechanisms standard in all shipping units; (Cabling is optional)
• Low power consumption
• Supports existing sensors and fits in ADR1000 chassis making upgrades simple & painless
• Records, stores, and re-processes time-stamped events
• Solar power option for recharging battery
• Multilane operation
• FHWA Scheme “F” or user-defined classification scheme
• Local and/or remote access via front panel, direct serial connection, or MODEM
• User-configurable auto daylight savings time adjustment

New Leotek IL6 Traffic Signal LED Module Now Approved for Use by Majority of State DOT’s
 
Leotek Electronics USA Corp. is pleased to announce the new IL6 Traffic Signal LED Module has been approved for use and listed on the majority of individual state Department of Transportation Approved Products Lists (APL).
 
The IL6 Traffic Signal LED Module is Intertek ETL certified and meets the latest ITE specifications. The product utilizes a patented innovative optical technology to ensure superior performance and reliability. It offers a wider viewing angle, enhanced uniformity, excellent moisture and dust resistance, and is engineered for superior thermal management. As with all Leotek LED products, the IL6 is environmentally friendly, provides significant energy efficiency, and is backed by Leotek’s industry leading 5-year warranty. The LED modules are available in red, yellow, and green 8-inch and 12-inch balls, and 12-inch arrows.

The LeddarTech d-tec vehicle detection system provides three features that are desperately needed by the traffic community: Highly reliable detection in all weather and lighting conditions, Highly accurate detection of bicycles, and a built-in video camera for remote surveillance. Other desirable features include power-over-Ethernet, 16 detection zones, and the ability to pan and tilt the unit from the traffic cabinet. This array of capabilities has driven the products acceptance from coast-to-coast, including at these noteworthy locations:

Davis, California:

The city of Davis, Ca, facing the challenge of reliably and automatically detecting vehicles and bicycles in many signalized intersections. The City and LeddarTech Inc. have addressed this challenge at the intersection of Covell Blvd. and Sycamore Lane by installing four Leddar™ d-tec units to provide accurate detection of bicycles and vehicles. According to Emile (Butch) Breault, City Electrician, “The result is automatic detection of bicycles, motorized vehicles, and pedestrians in any kind of weather or lighting conditions. The intersection with LeddarTM d-tec worked without any issues, contrary to other intersections with different detection technology.”

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada:

The City wanted to replace their video detection systems that were not performing as expected. LeddarTech demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of the d-tec product and was chosen as the replacement on a large, multi-intersection upgrade project.

The Only Dedicated WLAN Client Optimized for Industrial Automation!

Small and Light, but Rugged
The AWK-1121/1127 is ruggedly designed for any harsh industrial environment, for temperatures ranging from -40° up to 75°C. In addition, the series may be mounted either by DIN rail or on walls, while sporting dual 12 to 48 VDC power inputs or Power-over-Ethernet (PoE for PoE models), and protects against dust with an IP30 casing designed with LED indicators. This physically rugged design is also extremely compact and light weight ontop of having industrial graded rugged shelling. With this small, light, and yet rugged industrial design, the AWK-1121 provides the perfect solution for applications where space is limited and a robust, dedicated client is required.

Turbo Roaming for Continuous Wireless Connections
The AWK-1121/1127 supports Moxa’s proprietary Turbo Roaming™ providing a fast handover time of less than 100 ms, making it so speedy that connectivity gaps are effectively eliminated for latency-sensitive applications like automatic guided vehicles (AGV) in factory automation systems, or moving public transports roaming through intelligent transportation systems (ITS) networks.

Click here to view the Moxa web site for product details.

Traffic Controller Time/Date Synchronization/Coordination 

• GPS based time/date synchronization of traffic controllers
• Provides sync even if GPS signals are blocked temporarily
• Contact closure sync pulse with variable pulse width
• Controller specific RS232 message, Eagle, Econolite, AB3418, NTCIP
• Contact closure for mechanical controllers
• Flash upgradeable firmware
• 9-24VDC input voltage
• Vandal resistant GPS antenna
• SimSync Specifications (pdf 66k)
• SimSync Manual (pdf 388k)
• Detailed View
• Product Inquiry Form