1. Abstract Traffic accidents often occur when a major athletic event or concert is held at Iowa State University. This is a result of drivers not being able to observe traffic that is backing up in hard to see locations. The Elwood Dr. Exit off of west-bound U.S. Highway 30 is one such example. The objective of this project is to develop a portable system that can detect slow moving or stopped traffic and then alert approaching drivers. The design will incorporate speed and proximity sensors, a control system, and a display system. The traffic monitoring system is being created to help prevent such accidents and increase traffic flow during these events. The fully operating system will be able to save thousands of people travel time, reduce costly vehicle accidents and possibly save someone's life. Project Requirements Approach and Considerations Introduction Resources and Requirements Milestones May05-06 Team Information Problem Statement When there is a large inflow of vehicles to the facilities, traffic slows down and backs-up on Elwood Drive. Vehicles traveling at highway speeds encounter slow moving or stopped vehicles causing a major safety concern. Visibility in the area is low creating an increased risk that drivers may collide with stopped cars as they try to exit at high speed. Identifying and informing motorists of the hazardous traffic conditions ahead is the primary problem. Operating Environment Outdoor temperature extremes Adverse weather conditions Heavy roadside traffic conditionsUsers Operators: DOT staff, event staff or highway patrol officers End Users: MotoristsUses High Traffic: Designed for use on highways not low traffic streets Portable: Designed to be moved to other locations Location: Designed for Iowa State University, but adaptable to other locationsAssumptions A single roadway will be monitored No more than three feeding roadways will be allowed The maximum warning distance will be 2 miles Initially designed for Highway 30 onto Elwood Dr. (exit 146) No rerouting of traffic will be considered with design DOT will install equipmentLimitations Current DOT electronics signs may be used for testing (if applicable) Able to be removed and stored when it is not needed Able to be setup to work in different locations Able to withstand outdoor temperature and weather extremes Self-powered (for a limited time) Moving and stopped vehicles must be distinguished Must be able to operate in a high traffic volume area Ben Armfield CprE benjarm@iastate.edu Joel Cardo CprE jcardo@iastate.edu Wendell Cotton EE wcotton@iastate.edu Brent Duppong EE bduppong@iastate.edu Members Professor John Lamont jwlamont@iastate.edu Professor Ralph Patterson III repiii@iastate.edu Duane Smith Associate Director for Outreach ISU Research Park desmith@iastate.edu Faculty Advisors Client Iowa State University Project Web Site http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0506/ Design Objectives: Portable: The system should be movable Low Cost: System should be affordable for ISU and DOT Efficient: Must analyze data in a usable time frame Functional Requirements: Notify motorists: Alert approaching motorists of the traffic conditions ahead - Example: Send message to electronic sign alerting of slow traffic ahead Capture and Analyze: Analyze and capture traffic data to identify slow traffic Communicate Control System: Must communicate data to a control center Design Constraints: Durable: Must operate under extreme weather and road conditions Cost Effective Design: Must be affordable to use and maintain Portable: Must be capable of moving the system to different locations Project definition10/15/04 End-product consideration12/10/04 Technology consideration10/31/04 End-product design 12/15/04 End-product implementation (if applicable)03/11/05 End-product testing (if applicable)03/11/05 End-product documentation 04/10/05 End-product demonstration 04/29/05 Proposed Approach Research problem Research possible technologies Construct and implement design plan Documentation of process End-product testing (if applicable) Analysis of results Documentation of analysis and results Item W/O LaborWith Labor Other Required Resources Poster$60.00 Labor ($10.50/ hour) Joel Cardo$3,286.50 Brent Duppong$3,507.00 Wendell Cotton$3,171.00 Ben Armfield$3,475.50 Subtotal$13,440.00 Total $13,500.00 Technology Consideration Sensor / monitoring device Linux based server Highway road signs / radio broadcast Testing Consideration Testing will be dictated by end-product selection Closing Summary This implementation of this project will allow motorists to arrive and depart more quickly and safely from large events at Iowa State University. Motorists getting off of the U.S. 30 exit onto Elwood Dr. will be aware of the hard to see traffic conditions ahead because of the highway traffic monitoring system project. It is the purpose of this project to improve motorist safety and alleviate traffic congestion through the use of technology and communications. End-Product Options Design Design - A full design report will be provided including: parts list, controller logic, communications setup, system component location maps, assembly, operations information and a possible demonstration. Simulation Simulation – In addition to a design, a working bench-top simulation will be created to demonstrate the concepts. This might include a controller that communicates with one or more sensors and one or more warning devices. Prototype Prototype – This consists of a fully working testable system. Outside funding and equipment will be needed to produce this end-product. In addition to the design, the equipment will be assembled and tested to make a functional traffic monitoring system. Project Schedule Gant Chart Personnel Efforts www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps www.albertatraffic.com Financial Requirements West bound HWY 30 HWY 30 - Elwood Exit Potential process flow Exit 146 Map www.dell.comwww.nu-metrics.com