Using a system designed by Providence-based Nestor Traffic Systems, the state Department of Transportation is expanding its use of video technology to monitor the traffic patterns on Rhode Island highways.
The DOT last week unveiled two dozen new highway cameras mostly located around the capital city on Interstate 95, Interstate 195, Route 6 and Route 10.
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The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are a combination of computer and communication technologies. Overhead dynamic message signs (DMS), variable message signs (VMS), closed circuit video equipment (CCVE), highway advisory radios (HAR), computerized traffic signalization systems, road weather information systems, and other devices monitor and control traffic at the DOT’s Transportation Management Center located on the first floor of Two Capitol Hill in Providence.
DOT Director William D. Ankner sees the new systems as a natural progression for DOT operations.
“For too long Departments of Transportation were landlords of our transportation systems, rather than managers,” said Ankner. “We have to use the technology of today.”
Information gleaned from the new technology, said Ankner, will directly improve conditions for Rhode Island motorists. For example, he said, accidents would be cleared more quickly — cutting down on the congestion that invariably occurs as the result of an accident or breakdown.
“If the roadway system slows to a certain speed, the programs will send an alert to one of our screens,” said Ankner. “We know then to look for a breakdown – and accident.
The new technology will also allow DOT to classify such information as how many vehicles are passing through certain intersections and what kinds of vehicles – for example, cars versus trucks – are traveling specific highways and roads.
“That is important information as we plan for our transportation systems,” said Ankner.
Welcome news for Nestor
For Nestor Traffic Systems, of Providence, the use of these technological traffic-monitoring systems, couldn’t come at a better time. The company described its recently released fourth quarter and year-end results for 2000 as “financially disappointing.”
Nestor reported revenues of $3,652,000 for the year ended Dec. 31, 2000, a decrease of 28 percent compared to 1999.
For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2000, revenues decreased 36 percent to $853,000 from $1,328,000 in 1999.
“The year 2000 was financially disappointing,” said David Fox, Nestor’s president and chief executive officer.
But 2001 could be a bounce-back year for the company. In addition to the increase in business with the traffic monitoring systems, Nestor has “expanded a strategic partnership” with Applied Communication, Inc. – a non-exclusive technology license agreement.
“In the latter half of 2000, we began a process of transition to strengthen both Nestor and Nestor Traffic Systems,” said Fox.
With regard to the partnership with ACI, Fox said; “This not only allows ACI to directly support their customers, but sparks a new business model for Nestor – to form alliances with emerging market leaders and offer direct access to our technology for their products and services.”
Fox also added that in February 2001, Nestor Traffic Systems secured an $8 million equity investment commitment from an independent investment group – subject to the completion of the proposed merger of Nestor and Nestor Traffic Systems, which has been in the works for several months.
Carolyn R. Beaudry, Nestor’s marketing communications manager, said the state is Nestor’s biggest client – and that the approach being taken by the Rhode Island DOT is likely to spread to other parts of the country.
“Rhode Island is trying to be in the forefront of applying technology to their traffic systems,” she said.
Red light running
Nestor has also announced that it will team with the University of Rhode
Island Transportation Center to study red light running in Rhode Island. The state
DOT has awarded a contract to URI to research and document the magnitude of the
red light running problem throughout the state.
Nestor Traffic Systems will provide its video-based CrossingGuardVIP program to collect violation data that URI will analyze to identify the rate and frequency of red light violations. Information will help the state understand the scope of the problem and determine what needs to be done to improve safety conditions at intersections.
The study was sparked by a report recently published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that documented the increasing number of red light violations throughout the country. The DOT and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety chose to conduct this study in order to determine the extent of red light running violations occurring at intersections in Rhode Island. In support, the Amica Mutual Insurance Company has contributed $100,000 for the study.
Ankner called red light running a “very dangerous driving behavior.” The study, he said, was a good use of time and money.
“Red lights are no longer functioning as a stop to traffic,” said Ankner.
