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21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Alameda County Transportation Commission
(Alameda CTC) - GoPort Freight Intelligence Transportation System

5. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND SERVICES

The Alameda CTC team is proposing to leverage ITS and other information technologies to reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and environmental impacts, while improving mobility and relieving congestion in the Port and surrounding areas of Alameda County. This will be accomplished by the seamless integration of several proven technologies that have been developed through significant investments from the USDOT and other state and local agencies. These technologies represent a mix of established ITS technologies, such as CMSs and vehicle detection, as well as the development and enhancement of newer smart phone-based technologies. The integration and extension of these technologies will lead to an efficient and safer flow of freight, well-organized planning by trucking companies, coordination and communication among stakeholders, access to real-time data and information by the supply chain partners, and connectivity with roadway infrastructure; all of which result in benefits for all stakeholders, while meeting the overall goals and objectives of the USDOT.

The 14 GoPort Freight ITS elements are summarized in Table 5, and highlight the systems engineering traceability back to the needs of users and stakeholders. User needs were identified from a wide range of stakeholders with corresponding projects identified to address those needs. The Port TMC/EOC will serve as a key focal point of information gathering and dissemination, and has been designed here to allow for eventual incorporation of connected and automated vehicle technology, which will support the collection and processing of Big Data that can support future real time Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) and performance monitoring applications. The TMC/EOC's role has also been designed to facilitate Port operations management of Port recurring and non-recurring traffic incidents.

Table 5: Overview of GoPort Freight ITS ATCMTD Elements
Element Functionality Description User Needs Addressed
Communications (Wi-Fi, fiber)

Use fiber to assure high-speed communications for Port's ITS and Wi-Fi for backup and expanded geographic coverage.

Essential Functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
Complete the existing fiber network. This will set the foundation for connection and control of all other ITS elements. Add Wi-Fi capabilities as a backup communication system and a means for addressing cellular dead spots – a major issue in parts of the Port. Offers amenities to truckers within the Port. Enhances Port staff capabilities to transmit and receive "last mile" data.
  • Need complete access and control of data sources and information dissemination.
  • Need improved real-time communication with users of the Port.

CCTV Upgrade to HD

Fill-in surveillance gaps, deploy vehicle video detection software and integrate into traffic management system.

Essential Functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
  • Safety
Upgrade the existing CCTVs to HD, filling surveillance gaps and deploy vehicle video detection software. Cameras can address surveillance and traffic needs simultaneously but HD imaging needed for appropriate traffic analysis. May need to install new poles for cameras focused on vehicle detection.
  • Need to improve real-time situational awareness of the Port property and operations.
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.

Supplemental Vehicle Detection (speeds)

Deploy "side fire" radar for midblock detection for integration into traffic management system.

Essential functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
"Side fire" radar is useful for non-intrusive midblock detection and would not only fill in gaps from video detection, but also provide speed information.
  • Need to refine identification of traffic queues and surges in and around the Port area.
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.
  • Need to continue to identify and mitigate environmental and emissions related impacts.
Queue Detection

Expand detection technology to key spots where queues tend to form and integrate into traffic management system.

Essential Functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
  • Emissions reduction
Add automatic queue detection. Additional technology is needed to supplement video detection. Equipment will be located at known hot spots.
  • Need to refine identification of traffic queues and surges in and around the Port area.
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.
  • Need to continue to identify and mitigate environmental and emissions related impacts.
RFID readers

Applying RFID technologies to infrastructure and ultimately other components of freight operations can improve efficiency.

Essential Functions:

  • Port and traveler information
The existing RFID network will be expanded to allow the Port to improve the accuracy and reliability of the calculation of turn times and acquire refined information on truck movements. Allows growth into Freight Advanced Traveler Information System (FRATIS) or other technology deployments.
  • Need to refine identification of traffic queues and surges in and around the Port area.
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.
  • Need to continue to identify and mitigate environmental and emissions related impacts.
ATMS (includes centrally controlled equipment)

Upgrade of existing signals and implementation of traffic management software in TMC/EOC.

Essential Functions:

  • Traffic and incident management
  • Safety
Upgrade existing traffic signal system to allow connectivity and control by the TMC/EOC. Equipment will be connected to the same fiber loop. Signal controllers with networking equipment will be installed. Will involve coordination with City of Oakland and potentially Caltrans.

Set up software to receive traffic information, control messages, and control traffic signal systems. Software should be upgradeable to allow further automation and enhancements. Allows for potential connections/collaboration of operations with other public sector equipment and systems.

  • Need to refine identification of traffic queues and surges in and around the Port area.
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.
  • Need to continue to identify and mitigate environmental and emissions related impacts.
Adaptive Signal System

Upgrade of ATMS to allow for adaptive signal system control.

Essential Functions:

  • Traffic and Incident Management
Adaptive signal system modules to be added to signal system control and ATMS.
  • Need to refine identification of traffic queues and surges in and around the Port area.
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.
  • Need to continue to identify and mitigate environmental and emissions related impacts.
CMSs

Real-time information will be provided to truckers entering/exiting the Port.

Essential Functions:

Port and traveler information

Traffic and incident management

Informs truckers on regional conditions as they leave the Port, incidents or Port information as they enter. CMSs will be fiber connected and connectivity to the TMC/EOC will allow access and control by the traffic management system. Need for to provide useful real-time traffic, incident and access control information to users of the port.
TMC/EOC

Physical center for emergency and transportation management within the Port that provides situational awareness of activities on the Port, access and control of ITS elements and coordination with other operating agencies.

Essential Functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
  • Safety
New ITS elements will integrate with existing security equipment, functions, and emergency operations center. A "home" for control of the ATMS and where Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be created and centered around. Provides basic communication/connection to other public agencies to coordinate transportation and incident management (e.g., Caltrans, CHP, City of Oakland, MTC, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)).
  • Need for enhanced and expanded traffic monitoring system near and in the Port.
  • Need to establish coordinated incident management programs.
  • Need for TMC capabilities and equipment at the Port.
  • Need to interconnect with security network and functions.
  • Need for more traffic enforcement within the Port.
  • Better communications, cooperation, and collaboration is needed between stakeholders.
GoPort Freight ITS Information System/App

A multi-platform app that ties together existing information sources and accommodates new ones. Information disseminated via website and mobile app.

Essential functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
  • Safety
  • Parking
The GoPort traveler information app will be a multi-platform system (e.g., web, mobile app, email, etc.). It will be a consolidated portal of useful truck information and web tools. It will disseminate static and real-time Port messages and information regarding travel times, parking, incidents, wait times, terminal turn times, terminal information, etc.
  • Truck traveler information needs to be consolidated, timely, and easily available.
  • Need for a system to report performance indicators.
  • Need to refine identification of traffic queues and surges in and around the Port area.
  • Need to reduce environmental and emissions related impacts.
  • Better communications, cooperation, and collaboration is needed between stakeholders.
C2C Communication

Essential functions:

  • Port and Traveler Information
  • Traffic and incident Management
Deploy new communication interfaces among the public sector agencies. Establish C2C policies. Essential for signal control and messaging.
  • Better communications, cooperation, and collaboration is needed between stakeholders.
  • Need complete and improved communications infrastructure within the Port.
WIM Technology

Expand WIM technology to key areas within the Port

Essential functions:

  • Traffic and incident management
  • Safety
This WIM would be located on Port property as a courtesy to trucks leaving the Port with new containers. This could initially start with a portable system. Can be done at slow speeds but smooth road surface is needed. Potential WIM information sharing and coordination with CHP.
  • WIM stations are needed within the Port to allow improved truck operations on the region's freeways.
  • Provide ability for a trucker to get weighed at night, when other port static scales are closed.
Rail Grade Crossing System

Train and queue detection equipment will work in tandem with traffic signal systems, CMS and phone apps.

Essential Functions:

  • Port and traveler information
  • Traffic and incident management
  • Safety
  • Emissions reduction
Non-intrusive train detection can be used to provide warnings and traveler information on CMSs and the GoPort app. Eventually, rail detection can be integrated with traffic signal systems.
  • Need to continue to reduce environmental and emissions related impacts.
  • At-grade crossings introduce safety concerns, traffic delay issues, and noise impacts.
Basic Smart Parking System

Use of detection technology and information systems to provide information on parking availability.

Essential functions:

  • Safety
  • Parking
Provide a system that monitors parking availability that can be shared via GoPort Freight ITS App and CMSs. Parking payment options would be available.
  • Need to continue to reduce environmental and emissions related impacts.
  • Need for more traffic enforcement within the Port.
  • Need short- and long-term parking solution for trucks.

As detailed in Figure 6, deployment of these 14 technologies will allow collection and integration of data from sources within the Port and outside of the Port. Through the GoPort Freight ITS Information System/App integration approach, the data created by these 14 elements will be integrated and managed – and then fused into a defined set of GoPort Freight ITS user applications (e.g. real-time traffic alerts, CMS messages, terminal queue times, truck parking reservations, etc.). GoPort Freight ITS information delivery services include a mobile application, a website, CMS notifications, and C2C communications. Additionally, with the website targeted to trucking fleet dispatchers, it is expected that dispatchers will also relay information directly to truckers via cell phone, and that many truckers will also share information initiated from dispatchers with each other through Citizens Band (CB) radio, which is still an important communications method for today's Port truckers.

Figure 6: GoPort Freight ITS Informaiton and ATMS Data Integration Approach

Figure 6: GoPort Freight ITS Information and ATMS Data Integration Approach

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