Smart city technology developed by Applied Information Inc. (AI) was deployed this week by the City of Atlanta connecting traffic signals, emergency vehicles and school zone safety flashers to the Internet of Things as part of the Renew Atlanta infrastructure improvement program.
The AI technology includes the Glance TravelSafely smartphone app which will connect drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to the infrastructure and each other to improve safety and mobility in the covered corridors.
Applied Information’s Glance Smart City Supervisory platform allows cities to manage all their traffic and ITS assets on one web-based application. This includes 5 key areas: Traffic Intersections, School Beacons, Parking Guidance System, Mobile Vehicle Assets and ITS devices. AI’s Glance TravelSafely smartphone app connects drivers, cyclists and pedestrians for a safer commute.
The app uses audible warnings to alert users to potentially dangerous road conditions. By utilizing spoken alerts, TravelSafely leaves users free to focus on the road and receive alerts while using their mapping app.
The AI Glance Smart City Supervisory System and Glance TravelSafely smartphone app offer many new Smart City capabilities. Emergency vehicles will receive priority and green lights at intersections that are flushed of traffic ahead of time. Smartphone app users in the area will receive notification of the approaching emergency vehicle.
Forty-six of the city’s intersections, five school zone beacons, nine pedestrian crossing beacons and 24 Traffic Communications Corridors will be connected using Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology and wireless cellular technology. The intersections will communicate with the city’s traffic control center and enable traffic engineers to monitor and control the signals and beacons remotely.
Cyclists and pedestrians using the app are warned of a vehicle approaching at a dangerous speed and trajectory. In turn, drivers using the app are provided a message that a cyclist or pedestrian is ahead. Motorists using the app receive a warning if they are about to run a traffic signal. Additionally, drivers are provided with the color of the light at the traffic signal ahead and a countdown to change of color. Motorists with the app are given notification they have entered a school zone and a warning if they exceed the reduced speed limit.
The app is expected to be fully deployed and activated in January 2018. Anyone driving, cycling or walking in the Renew Atlanta coverage area can use the app which is free for Apple iPhone and Android users.
The hardware and software behind the Glance TravelSafely app and Glance Smart City Supervisory System is developed and manufactured by Applied Information with deployment by Temple Inc.
