Beacon assists in building smart roads for one of the largest road networks in the world.
Traffic Data Capture | Congestion Management | Long-term Master Plan
The Client
The client is a dynamic transport authority responsible for WA’s highways and main roads spread across 2.5 million square kilometres, one of the largest areas in the world under one road agency.
The client commits to providing inspiring leadership to create change and developing tomorrow’s transport solutions today. Their Strategic Plan is to successfully develop and maintain one of the largest road networks in the world for present and future generations.
The client leads Australia in implementing their Intelligent Transport System (ITS) software program of work to realise sustainable road network operations through innovation. Beacon is proud to be the client’s technology partner in this regard, and shares their collaborative and innovative approach to advancing relationships, communication and business operations through outcomes-focused programs.
The Challenge
The client required a technology partner who is capable of providing a roadmap for the long-term strategic development and delivery of ITS software applications and infrastructure, in alignment with the client’s overarching mission and strategic plan.
To start with, the client wanted to upgrade and improve their ITS capabilities to build smarter roads and a better traffic, congestion, and road management system. This is a major priority in the client’s Strategic Plan, and will be realised through multiple projects to be rolled out over the years.
The client wanted world class ITS software that could capture road data accurately in real time (e.g. average speed of traffic and travel times), store it with integrity for retrieval on demand, and integrate it with other traffic systems such as traffic lights and online/mobile map views.
The software must also enable the timely and accurate display of messages (e.g., road safety reminders, road closure warnings and traffic congestion notifications) on self-illuminating variable message signs targeted at drivers and other road users.
The Solution
In close collaboration with the client, Beacon established their ITS Foundations Program on which multiple Intelligent Transport System projects will be rolled out and integrated over several years.
Starting by implementing improvements on the existing data warehouse cube, we added a device manager to monitor and maintain captured road data linkable to control variable messaging signs and traffic lights. Next we integrate these systems with an intelligence reporting and display network accessible by both internal users and the external public to view areas with traffic congestions in real time online and via mobile networks.
Technology - Leveraging the communication functionality of the Microsoft .Net framework, Beacon worked with device manufacturers to develop TCP/IP device drivers to communicate with many different types of devices and communication protocols. Microsoft Windows services run 24×7 continuously collecting data, filtering, calculating, monitoring and alerting operators of anomalies. The system can support thousands of concurrently connected devices. All traffic data is published to a Microsoft SQL Server warehouse, from where SQL Server Analysis Services is used to provide Business Intelligence (BI) type reporting. Historical and real-time traffic indicators are made available to traffic engineers via a Microsoft SharePoint portal. Traffic data is also made available in real-time to third party organizations via web services.
The program management and delivery team has grown from three during inception to its current size of twenty two members and is Beacon’s largest multi-project team to date.
The Outcomes
The client is steadily progressing towards achieving its strategic goals to create and implement a state-of-the-art Intelligent Transport System that serves the Western Australian public; its achievements can be emulated by other transport authorities. The client regularly receives software releases and provides feedback to shape the various projects as they move along in a coordinated manner. An organised and systematic process ensures that all aspects of this ambitious project receive appropriate attention and action in alignment with their strategic masterplan.