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Fastracs™

One of Fortran's key initiatives was to invest in the development of an open Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) based on current multi-tier client-server technologies and the latest Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) standards. FASTRACS is designed to provide wide access to T2000C and other NTCIP-compliant ITS equipment and systems via smart, responsive Windows-based system management tools accessible over the users corporate network. FASTRACS is also designed to enable the exchange of information amongst the ITS equipment and systems that it contains allowing control and decision-making options that were not previously possible within the field of Transportation Management Systems technology. FASTRACS will operate in conjunction with Fortran's T2000C traffic control system in a centralized architecture as well as installations that may not require T2000C such as distributed or non real-time architectures.

2000C Real-Time Centralized Traffic Control System T2000C is a centralized real-time traffic control system that was designed to meet high availability and strict timing requirements, and as a result provide the following features:

• Improved traffic flows - resulting in less traffic congestion
• Shorter travel times
• Fewer accidents
• Less pollution

In summary, T2000C provides direct and indirect, social and economic benefits.

The following are examples of T2000C related R&D projects, which support new and improved traffic control algorithms for better overall traffic flow, 2000C Real-Time Centralized Traffic Control System

NTCIP Functions and Interface

The availability of a full set of NTCIP functions including items such as additional rings and phases, more detectors, and advanced phase sequencing provide for more sophisticated traffic control algorithms in T2000C. On going research in the support of NTCIP based traffic signal controllers and devices.

Bus Transit Signal Priority

Is the development of an efficacious Bus Transit Signal Priority algorithm, which operates in a centralized system, while maintaining - signal coordination as implemented within T2000C.

Light Rail Transit Support

The development of experimental software stemming from an investigation as to evaluating algorithm improvements targeted to Light Rail Transit crossings at intersections. Initial investigation into a method of resuming control functions sooner with faster synchronization of the intersection, and a method where the intersection is preconditioned for an impending LRT pre-emption to minimize its impact.

Enhanced Traffic Responsive (ETR)

T2000C provided "Traffic Responsive" operation through signal timing plans, which are activated by time of day, and current traffic conditions, established through the use of vehicle detectors (volume and occupancy data). This operation was enhanced to integrate other input measures used, to better identify changing traffic conditions (specifically queue length and incident detection data from a video incident detection system) into the existing traffic responsive algorithms.

16-Channel MUX Project

The 16-Channel MUX is an electronic device, which allows T2000C or Fastracs™ software to communicate with, and control up to 16 intersections over single-pair telephone cable. Fortran developed this device to ensure that operation of centralized traffic signal control systems remain economically viable in the future, while providing the enhanced traffic control desired.

MASCOM Master Communication Controller

Fortrans MASCOM (Master Communication Controller) provides a real-time communication link, exchanging data between the T2000C traffic control system and each field device, (e.g., traffic signal controllers, vehicle detectors) located at geographically dispersed intersection sites each second. Fortran continues to support R&D related to the MASCOM, however the focus has recently shifted from the development of the core technology itself, to the primary objective of investigating alternative communication topologies and alternative communication carrier transmission technologies, which may be used in place of the existing analogue twisted-pair topology. Spread Spectrum Public Wireless, Fiber Optics - Remote MASCOM, and Shared Networks, are examples of other candidate topologies and carrier transmission technologies.