Improving Traffic Detection Through New Innovative i-LST Technology Demonstration Pilot

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General Information
Solicitation Number: 1572
Status: Cleared by FHWA
Date Posted: Apr 05, 2022
Last Updated: Jan 04, 2024
Solicitation Expires: Sep 30, 2023
Partners: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, AL, AZDOT, CA, CO, CT, DE, FHWA, GADOT, ID, IN, KY, MDOT SHA, MN, NE, NHDOT, NM, OH, PADOT, TX, WI, WV, WY
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2023
Commitment End Year: 2025
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Commitments Required: $830,000.00
Commitments Received: $1,240,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Steven Jessberger
Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Steven Jessberger
Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-5052
Study Champion(s): Steven Jessberger
Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-5052
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alabama Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Roby Blankenship Kidada Dixon 334.353.6940 dixonk@dot.state.al.us
Arizona Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 James Meyer Angela Estrada (602) 712-8316 aringorestrada@azdot.gov
California Department of Transportation $0.00
Colorado Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Steve Abeyta David Reeves 303-757-9518 david.reeves@state.co.us
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Alexander Finch Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Alexander Finch Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Delaware Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Beth Hermansader Nicole Johnson 302-760-2092 nicole.johnson@delaware.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2023 $500,000.00 Steven Jessberger Steven Jessberger 202-366-5052 Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 2023 $200,000.00 Leroy Tayor John McGuiggin 202-578-3005 john.mcguiggin@dot.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Eric Conklin Brennan Roney 404-347-0595 broney@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Eric Conklin Brennan Roney 404-347-0595 broney@dot.ga.gov
Idaho Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Tony Grange Ned Parrish 208-334-8296 ned.parrish@itd.idaho.gov
Indiana Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Marc Antich Tommy Nantung 765-463-1521 ext 248 tnantung@indot.in.gov
Indiana Department of Transportation 2025 $15,000.00 Marc Antich Tommy Nantung 765-463-1521 ext 248 tnantung@indot.in.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2023 $15,000.00 Robert Brown Jarrod Stanley (502) 782-4090 jarrod.stanley@ky.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2024 $15,000.00 Robert Brown Jarrod Stanley (502) 782-4090 jarrod.stanley@ky.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2023 $30,000.00 Brian Witow Werner Schlough 410-545-5526 wschlough@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2024 $0.00 Brian Witow Werner Schlough 410-545-5526 wschlough@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2025 $0.00 Brian Witow Werner Schlough 410-545-5526 wschlough@mdot.maryland.gov
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Gene Hicks Leif Halverson Leif.Halverson@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Gene Hicks Leif Halverson Leif.Halverson@state.mn.us
Nebraska Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Ryan Huff Mark Fischer (402) 479-3163 Mark.fischer@nebraska.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Stuart Thompson Deirdre Nash 603-271-1659 Deirdre.T.Nash@dot.nh.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Stuart Thompson Deirdre Nash 603-271-1659 Deirdre.T.Nash@dot.nh.gov
New Mexico Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Dan Watts Angelo Armijo (505)372-8757 Angelo.Armijo@dot.nm.gov
Ohio Department of Transportation 2025 $30,000.00 Anthony Stevens General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Todd Rottet Evan Zeiders 717-787-8460 evzeiders@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Todd Rottet Evan Zeiders 717-787-8460 evzeiders@pa.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Catherine Wolff Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Catherine Wolff Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
West Virginia Department of Transportation $0.00
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Russell Lewis Evelyn Bromberg 608-267-7360 evelyn.bromberg@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Chad Mathews Enid White 307-777-4182 enid.white1@wyo.gov

Background

Current traffic monitoring practices primarily focus on counting the number of vehicles, classifying vehicles by length or axle arrangement, and weighing vehicles.  Additional critical information such as body type (tractor and/or trailer) is not readily captured due to technology limitations.  However, body type data and information are vital for goods movement and freight analysis as different commodities are transported by different vehicles.  For example, perishables and other temperature-sensitive goods are carried by the so-called reefer, a sealed trailer with a refrigerated unit to keep the truck contents at a cooled temperature.  Liquids and gases are typically transported by tanker trucks.  Flatbed trailers have open decks with no roofs or sides, offer the greatest flexibility to carry not only oversized goods but also a wide range of other freight.  Intermodal trucks carry standardized ocean containers.  Dry freight trailers provide significant protection to the freight being moved from both inclement weather and other detrimental effects.  In addition to the body type identification challenge from current traffic monitoring technologies, current practices also miss the highly desired data regarding the travel time and on/off points where vehicles enter or exit a roadway network, such as where and when a given truck enters or exits a particular highway.  Information like this is vital to modeling and projecting vehicle routing associated with demand analysis.

The proposed pool fund study will deploy and demonstrate a set of effective technologies previously developed through the U.S. Department of Transportation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program (SBIR: Measuring Traffic Performance with the Inductive Loop Detector Signature Technologies | SBIR.gov) to capture not only the legacy traffic monitoring data items but also additional body type and system usage information.  The new to be deployed technology requires no new-on-the-roadway physical activities. The new technology relies on utilizing existing roadway embedded loop sensors to gain all needed data. 

Objectives

Demonstrate the loop signature technology (inductive Loop Signature Technology: i-LST) over various corridors across the US to demonstrate application of new effective and comprehensive data collection methods. 

Scope of Work

FHWA seeks partnerships with State DOTs and MPOs to conduct a traffic monitoring technology demonstration project.  The project will enable participating agencies to gain additional data and information (e.g., detailed 100+ vehicle classifications and trailer body types, freight network travel characteristics) on top of the traditional counts and axle-based classification information.  No physical in the roadway activities are needed.  Any volume, classification or weigh-in-motion (WIM) location with loops in each lane can be used for this proposed pooled fund project.  

Specifically, the project seeks agencies with candidate networks and freight corridors covering both Interstate and other functional class roadways where inductive loop sensors are used as the existing traffic monitoring method.  Any volume, classification or WIM location with loops in each lane can be used for this proposed pooled fund project.

This new technology relies on capturing high-resolution inductive loop signals from existing inductive loop sensors and then characterizing these high-resolution signals (signature) to obtain vehicle class, vehicle speed, vehicle and trailer body type, and on/off highway network point identifications.   Corridors will include both Interstates and interconnected roadways to ascertain the full picture of travel patterns along routes and between routes. 

New Technology Capability:

·       Detecting and classifying over 100+ types of vehicles with only one loop

·       Determining vehicle speed from only one loop (loop shape or size up to 8’ makes no difference)

·       Gaining additional identification data related to body/trailer type and vehicles by major categories (flatbed, dry goods semitrailer, tankers, refrigerated trucks, recreational vehicles, transit, inter-modal freight, logging trucks, electric vehicles, smart cars, etc.)

·       Offering 5-digit coding of vehicles detailing vehicle characteristics without privacy issues

·       Identifying freight travel patterns – where vehicles enter and exit the highway network

·       Obtaining actual link travel time – the entire fleet becomes probe vehicles

·       Enabling slow speed scenario (down to 5 mph) data collection

 

Anticipated Benefits from the Demonstration Pilot Project:

·       Leadership – showcasing your leadership with new new technologies to improve traffic data collection capability and sustainability.

·       Showcasing your State and agency practices to other agencies throughout the nation with peer-exchanges.

·       Gaining opportunities to visit and learn from other States and other entities. 

·       New Data – in addition to gaining all the traditional loop data items, new data such as these listed below will also be provided:

o   Specific vehicle class data – meeting the needs of freight analysis

o   Travel time – true corridor level reliability by vehicle type

o   Vehicle on and off points for roadway systems – benchmarking data for travel demand modeling and analysis

o   Slow speed scenario data (congestion) – gaining information otherwise not collected

·       Gaining first-hand experience, knowledge, and practices in utilizing signature technology to improve your State/agency traffic monitoring program.

Bi-annual NaTMEC conference coordination and support to facilitate agency sharing of advanced travel monitoring techniques.

Comments

Agency contributions can be made over 2 fiscal years: 2024 or 2025.

Amount of agency contribution – $30,000

Goal – 11 states participating, $330,000

FHWA Contribution - $500,000

Overall budget – $830,000

SP&R 100% Match Waiver – granted on April 19, 2022

Length of performance period – 5 years

Any public agencies that own and operate existing inductive loop-based traffic monitoring sites or wish to install them, can participate.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
SP&R Waiver FHWA Led Approval of SPR Waiver Solicit#1572.pdf Other Public

Improving Traffic Detection Through New Innovative i-LST Technology Demonstration Pilot

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1572
Status: Cleared by FHWA
Date Posted: Apr 05, 2022
Last Updated: Jan 04, 2024
Solicitation Expires: Sep 30, 2023
Partners: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, AL, AZDOT, CA, CO, CT, DE, FHWA, GADOT, ID, IN, KY, MDOT SHA, MN, NE, NHDOT, NM, OH, PADOT, TX, WI, WV, WY
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2023
Commitment End Year: 2025
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Commitments Required: $830,000.00
Commitments Received: $1,240,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Steven Jessberger
Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Steven Jessberger
Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-5052
Commitments by Organizations
Agency Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alabama Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Roby Blankenship Kidada Dixon 334.353.6940 dixonk@dot.state.al.us
Arizona Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 James Meyer Angela Estrada (602) 712-8316 aringorestrada@azdot.gov
Colorado Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Steve Abeyta David Reeves 303-757-9518 david.reeves@state.co.us
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Alexander Finch Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Alexander Finch Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Delaware Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Beth Hermansader Nicole Johnson 302-760-2092 nicole.johnson@delaware.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2023 $500,000.00 Steven Jessberger Steven Jessberger 202-366-5052 Steven.Jessberger@dot.gov
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 2023 $200,000.00 Leroy Tayor John McGuiggin 202-578-3005 john.mcguiggin@dot.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Eric Conklin Brennan Roney 404-347-0595 broney@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Eric Conklin Brennan Roney 404-347-0595 broney@dot.ga.gov
Idaho Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Tony Grange Ned Parrish 208-334-8296 ned.parrish@itd.idaho.gov
Indiana Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Marc Antich Tommy Nantung 765-463-1521 ext 248 tnantung@indot.in.gov
Indiana Department of Transportation 2025 $15,000.00 Marc Antich Tommy Nantung 765-463-1521 ext 248 tnantung@indot.in.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2023 $15,000.00 Robert Brown Jarrod Stanley (502) 782-4090 jarrod.stanley@ky.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2024 $15,000.00 Robert Brown Jarrod Stanley (502) 782-4090 jarrod.stanley@ky.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2023 $30,000.00 Brian Witow Werner Schlough 410-545-5526 wschlough@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2024 $0.00 Brian Witow Werner Schlough 410-545-5526 wschlough@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2025 $0.00 Brian Witow Werner Schlough 410-545-5526 wschlough@mdot.maryland.gov
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Gene Hicks Leif Halverson Leif.Halverson@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Gene Hicks Leif Halverson Leif.Halverson@state.mn.us
Nebraska Department of Transportation 2024 $30,000.00 Ryan Huff Mark Fischer (402) 479-3163 Mark.fischer@nebraska.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Stuart Thompson Deirdre Nash 603-271-1659 Deirdre.T.Nash@dot.nh.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Stuart Thompson Deirdre Nash 603-271-1659 Deirdre.T.Nash@dot.nh.gov
New Mexico Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Dan Watts Angelo Armijo (505)372-8757 Angelo.Armijo@dot.nm.gov
Ohio Department of Transportation 2025 $30,000.00 Anthony Stevens General Research 614-644-8135 Research@dot.state.oh.us
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Todd Rottet Evan Zeiders 717-787-8460 evzeiders@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Todd Rottet Evan Zeiders 717-787-8460 evzeiders@pa.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2023 $15,000.00 Catherine Wolff Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Catherine Wolff Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2024 $15,000.00 Russell Lewis Evelyn Bromberg 608-267-7360 evelyn.bromberg@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2023 $30,000.00 Chad Mathews Enid White 307-777-4182 enid.white1@wyo.gov

Background

Current traffic monitoring practices primarily focus on counting the number of vehicles, classifying vehicles by length or axle arrangement, and weighing vehicles.  Additional critical information such as body type (tractor and/or trailer) is not readily captured due to technology limitations.  However, body type data and information are vital for goods movement and freight analysis as different commodities are transported by different vehicles.  For example, perishables and other temperature-sensitive goods are carried by the so-called reefer, a sealed trailer with a refrigerated unit to keep the truck contents at a cooled temperature.  Liquids and gases are typically transported by tanker trucks.  Flatbed trailers have open decks with no roofs or sides, offer the greatest flexibility to carry not only oversized goods but also a wide range of other freight.  Intermodal trucks carry standardized ocean containers.  Dry freight trailers provide significant protection to the freight being moved from both inclement weather and other detrimental effects.  In addition to the body type identification challenge from current traffic monitoring technologies, current practices also miss the highly desired data regarding the travel time and on/off points where vehicles enter or exit a roadway network, such as where and when a given truck enters or exits a particular highway.  Information like this is vital to modeling and projecting vehicle routing associated with demand analysis.

The proposed pool fund study will deploy and demonstrate a set of effective technologies previously developed through the U.S. Department of Transportation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program (SBIR: Measuring Traffic Performance with the Inductive Loop Detector Signature Technologies | SBIR.gov) to capture not only the legacy traffic monitoring data items but also additional body type and system usage information.  The new to be deployed technology requires no new-on-the-roadway physical activities. The new technology relies on utilizing existing roadway embedded loop sensors to gain all needed data. 

Objectives

Demonstrate the loop signature technology (inductive Loop Signature Technology: i-LST) over various corridors across the US to demonstrate application of new effective and comprehensive data collection methods. 

Scope of Work

FHWA seeks partnerships with State DOTs and MPOs to conduct a traffic monitoring technology demonstration project.  The project will enable participating agencies to gain additional data and information (e.g., detailed 100+ vehicle classifications and trailer body types, freight network travel characteristics) on top of the traditional counts and axle-based classification information.  No physical in the roadway activities are needed.  Any volume, classification or weigh-in-motion (WIM) location with loops in each lane can be used for this proposed pooled fund project.  

Specifically, the project seeks agencies with candidate networks and freight corridors covering both Interstate and other functional class roadways where inductive loop sensors are used as the existing traffic monitoring method.  Any volume, classification or WIM location with loops in each lane can be used for this proposed pooled fund project.

This new technology relies on capturing high-resolution inductive loop signals from existing inductive loop sensors and then characterizing these high-resolution signals (signature) to obtain vehicle class, vehicle speed, vehicle and trailer body type, and on/off highway network point identifications.   Corridors will include both Interstates and interconnected roadways to ascertain the full picture of travel patterns along routes and between routes. 

New Technology Capability:

·       Detecting and classifying over 100+ types of vehicles with only one loop

·       Determining vehicle speed from only one loop (loop shape or size up to 8’ makes no difference)

·       Gaining additional identification data related to body/trailer type and vehicles by major categories (flatbed, dry goods semitrailer, tankers, refrigerated trucks, recreational vehicles, transit, inter-modal freight, logging trucks, electric vehicles, smart cars, etc.)

·       Offering 5-digit coding of vehicles detailing vehicle characteristics without privacy issues

·       Identifying freight travel patterns – where vehicles enter and exit the highway network

·       Obtaining actual link travel time – the entire fleet becomes probe vehicles

·       Enabling slow speed scenario (down to 5 mph) data collection

 

Anticipated Benefits from the Demonstration Pilot Project:

·       Leadership – showcasing your leadership with new new technologies to improve traffic data collection capability and sustainability.

·       Showcasing your State and agency practices to other agencies throughout the nation with peer-exchanges.

·       Gaining opportunities to visit and learn from other States and other entities. 

·       New Data – in addition to gaining all the traditional loop data items, new data such as these listed below will also be provided:

o   Specific vehicle class data – meeting the needs of freight analysis

o   Travel time – true corridor level reliability by vehicle type

o   Vehicle on and off points for roadway systems – benchmarking data for travel demand modeling and analysis

o   Slow speed scenario data (congestion) – gaining information otherwise not collected

·       Gaining first-hand experience, knowledge, and practices in utilizing signature technology to improve your State/agency traffic monitoring program.

Bi-annual NaTMEC conference coordination and support to facilitate agency sharing of advanced travel monitoring techniques.

Comments

Agency contributions can be made over 2 fiscal years: 2024 or 2025.

Amount of agency contribution – $30,000

Goal – 11 states participating, $330,000

FHWA Contribution - $500,000

Overall budget – $830,000

SP&R 100% Match Waiver – granted on April 19, 2022

Length of performance period – 5 years

Any public agencies that own and operate existing inductive loop-based traffic monitoring sites or wish to install them, can participate.

Title Type Private
SP&R Waiver Other N

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