By incorporating radio technology into its new ADAPTIR system, the Ohio Department of Transportation can advise motorists and workers up to the minute of changes, while a major highway renovation project is underway in Toledo.

Scientex Corporation, a system-integration firm based in Arlington, Virginia, recently completed one of its ADAPTIRä projects for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in Toledo. This Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) was developed through collaboration with Information Station Specialists (ISS), which  supplied radio equipment and expertise for the job. 

The Toledo ADAPTIR system integrates 3 ISS Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) stations to advise motorists (on Frequency 1580 AM) of slowdowns and alternate routes around the I-475 construction at Toledo. In addition, 4 cellphone-operated flashing advisory signs, also from ISS, are controlled by the ADAPTIR central computer. 

ADAPTIR is an acronym for Automated Data Acquisition and Processing of Traffic Information in Real-time. The system's overall function is to gather and analyze traffic data as it occurs, computing speed differentials, predicting delays and suggesting alternate routes to motorists. Further, it alerts work-zone project personnel via pager, as major incidents occur, and archives traffic data for later analysis. It is unusual for motorists and work-zone people to be able to have accurate, real-time information 24 hours a day in all seasons. 

Beyond the HARs and flashing signs, ISS contributed the technical know-how to set up and employ these elements within the larger ITS. For example, working with ET Electric to install the HARs, ISS field technicians Tom Coviak and James Garboske oversaw site excavation, antenna pole placement, groundplane installation and cabinet mounting, after which they installed digital message recorders, transmitters, wattmeters, control phones and surge arrestors. They mounted the antennas with PVC risers and weatherheads and helped ET Electric tune them. This was all in a day's work. 

Then, using a field-intensity meter, Coviak and Garboske conducted field studies and set transmitter-output power to match the legal limits set by the Federal Communications Commission, a standard operating procedure. 

After the radio stations were installed, ISS trained the Scientex and Ohio DOT people on site in basic HAR operation, component recognition and troubleshooting. The radio station installation and training took just 2 days total, proving once again that partnering with ISS enables quick and innovative solutions to highway-congestion problems that continue to challenge DOTs everywhere.