StopWatch Pilot Project Moves Forward in Virginia

Palmetto, FL -- Peek Traffic Corporation, value-added reseller Digital Traffic Systems, Inc. (DTS) and Open Roads Consulting Inc. will provide StopWatch+ for a Virginia Department of Transportation pilot project implementation of the new real-time traffic application.

StopWatch+ is software that enhances the operation of the industry standard Automatic Data Recorder (ADR) 3000 to serve dual functions as both an historical traffic data counter/classifier and a real-time traffic data source for ITS use. In so doing, with a minimal hardware upgrade, existing permanent data collection stations can provide the additional real-time data needed by traffic control and emergency response centers. StopWatch+ provides count, average speed, and occupancy data over periods from 10 seconds up to 60 minutes, while separately collecting and storing historical traffic data used by planners and traffic engineers.

DTS uses Peek Traffic equipment in the performance of the Continuous Traffic Count Station Program for the State of Virginia. This multi-year contract includes the installation, maintenance, and repair of over 340 statewide traffic monitoring sites. According to Peter Keen, President, Digital Traffic Systems, the intent of the StopWatch+ pilot project is to demonstrate via actual field installation how the new application can support dual use of existing infrastructure to derive additional data for real-time ITS use without major changes in hardware. The pilot project began by using a single traffic monitoring site on I-95 in Richmond. The next step will install StopWatch+ at 10 sites, with data being integrated into VDOT's Richmond District Traffic Operations Center.

According to Barbara Skiffington, President, Open Roads Consulting Inc., which is responsible for integrating the new Stopwatch+ application, "Our Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS), OpenTMS™, is designed to integrate multiple roadway devices in a 'plug and play' manner. This effort demonstrates the high return on investment of adding evolving vendor capabilities in an integrated fashion. The change to the system is transparent to the ATMS system operators except for the fact that they gain immediate use of the data from deployed detector sensors, increasing their ability to assess situations in areas where no prior data existed."

Digital Traffic Systems, Inc. (DTS), founded in September 1999, is an Integrated Sensor System Installation, Maintenance, and Services Company, serving the Transportation Sector. DTS specializes in designing, integrating, installing, operating and maintaining complete traffic monitoring systems that encompass a wide variety of sensors, data collection devices, display and telecommunication technologies. DTS' approach is to offer a full range of sensors, surveillance and display products and life cycle services for the collection and use of accurate traffic data. DTS is currently under contract to Virginia DOT to provide traffic data collection equipment, traffic data, sensor site installation, and maintenance services for the Mobility Management Division's Continuous Count Station Program at over 340 sites across the State.

Open Roads Consulting Inc. (http://www.openroadsconsulting.com), is a full service technology company that specializes in innovative software and hardware solutions for transportation and security industries. In the transportation area, Open Roads provides cost effective, commercial off the shelf Advanced Transportation Management Systems, Archive Data Management Systems, Video Distribution Systems, and a variety of system support tools. Open Roads is a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), certified in Virginia.

Peek Traffic Corporation (http://www.peek-traffic.com), headquartered in Palmetto, Florida is a subsidiary of Quixote Corporation. Bringing more than 80 years of traffic experience to the industry, Peek provides a variety of products for traffic control, data collection, tolling, detection, and automated traffic enforcement. Quixote Corporation, (www.quixotecorp.com), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Quixote Transportation Safety, Inc., Peek Traffic Corporation, and others, is the world's leading manufacturer of energy-absorbing highway crash cushions, electronic wireless measuring and sensing devices, weather forecasting stations, computerized highway advisory radio transmitting systems, intelligent intersection control systems, mobile and permanent variable electronic message signs, flexible post delineators and other highway safety products.