KLK569 Detection Field Testing
ITD Research Project 236; Task Order Number UI-14-03
Principal Investigators:
- Ahmed Abdel-Rahim
- Michael Dixon
- Suat Ay
ITD Project Manager:
- Bruce Christensen
FHWA Project Advisor:
- Lance Johnson
Student Researchers:
- —
Research Problem Statement:
ITD relies on vehicle detection to operate their signalized intersections. The operation’s quality is very closely tied to detection accuracy. If a detector misses detecting a vehicle the green light may prematurely terminate or no green is given. If a detector falsely detects a vehicle then the traffic controller waste time serving a direction of traffic when no traffic is there. ITD personnel frequently experience maintenance issues related failing detectors and this project aims to minimize this.
Project Objectives:
The objectives of this project include:
- Conducting a systematic assessment of the detection accuracy of selected commercially-available traffic detection systems that interest ITD, and
- Developing recommended standards that ITD could use when procuring traffic detection systems.
Project Tasks:
Task 1: Background and Literature Search (Months 1 - 4)
This task includes: 1) document detection systems currently in use by ITD, 2) interview ITD and ACHD staff to identify detection systems that might be considered in the future, 3) review the results of similar research activities conducted in different states, and 4) document the characteristics of different detection systems considered in the study including system specifications, installation requirements, contact staff, etc.
Task 2: Meet with the project TAC to finalize detection measures to use, detection systems to be included in the study, and the test intersection(s) (Month 4)
This task includes: 1) preliminary intersection selection, 2) list of detection systems to include in the study, and 3) selection of measures used to assess detection performance. Some measures that could be considered are as follows: 1) Presence detection (through lane, left lane, right lane, shared through/right lane) 2) Arrival and departure detection (through lane, left lane, right lane, shared through/right lane)
Task 3: Invite vendors to participate in the study (Months 4-6)
These systems will be in the initial list of systems to be tested as part of this project. Other systems will be included based on the results of review done as part of Task 1 of the project.
Task 4: Develop system architecture to facilitate data collection at the test intersection(s) (Months 4-7)
Once a list of systems to be included in the study is finalized, communication architecture for the test intersection(s) will be developed based on the installation requirements of the systems included in the study.
Task 5: Detection system installation at test intersection(s) (Months 5-9)
Vendors will be asked to install and fine tune their detection systems at the test intersection(s).
Task 6: Field data collection (months 10-16)
Data will be collected to support testing under different conditions that literature and experience has shown to be challenging and are representative of conditions observed in Idaho.
Task 7: Data analysis (months 16-20)
Two sources of ground truth will be used. One is loop detector detections and the other is manual video data reduction. Each product’s data will be compared to the loop detector data for a more aggregate accuracy assessment. In addition, random time periods will be chosen for manual video data extraction and comparison to each products data. Statistics will be created for each of the selected accuracy measures to assess each product’s ability to detect vehicle stop bar presence and vehicle stop bar arrival/departure.
Task 8: Project final report (month 19-23)
Project Communication Schedule:
July 2014 – Submit to TAC: Background and literature review
July 2014 – Meet with TAC to finalize detection measures, products, and test intersections
September 2014 – Report list of products on include to ITD
October 2014 – Submit system design description to TAC
March 2015 – Submit sample of field data collected to the TAC for their review
January 2016 – Submit draft final report to TAC for their review
March 2016 – Submit final report
Needs and Requirements:
The project needs Dale Moore to instruct the team on the capabilities of the existing controller cabinet capabilities, help develop the design of the data collection system, and install the data collection system. Arrangements have been made with ITD District 2 to allow Dale Moore to work on the project for two weeks during the detection system installation stage and 3 hours/week during the system design and initial testing stage.
Required Outputs:
- A report documenting the results of the background and literature review task
- A report documenting the characteristics of all systems included in the evaluation
- A report describing system design as well as sample field data collected
- Monthly progress reports
- A final report that will contain a standalone chapter describing the stop bar detection standards for detection products
Implementation:
This will provide field proven results for which detection products satisfy ITD needs. In addition, the project will document these needs in the form of a state-wide standard to assess the adequacy of alternative detection products.
Expected Outcomes/Savings to ITD:
The research will save ITD personnel time in several ways. One is by reducing personnel time required to resolve detection failures. Another is a systematic means by which to assess the adequacy of alternative detection products.