traffic signal asset management system...

Traffic Signal Asset Management System (TSAMS)

DATA COLLECTION PROJECTApril 18, 2016

BUREAU OF MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS

Traffic Signal Asset Management System (TSAMS) DATA COLLECTION PROJECT

Why TSAMS?

How many traffic signals exist in Pennsylvania?

How many traffic signals exist in Pennsylvania that Steve Gault knows about?

I don’t know!

13,612


Why TSAMS?

• To improve Traffic Signal Operations, we need to know what assets are on the current road network.

• PennDOT’S TSAMS Business Goals• Centralized repository to manage traffic signal assets• Automated management system for maintaining traffic

signal assets• Reporting capabilities for all pertinent traffic signal asset

data• Identify ways to document or determine traffic signal

analytics• Create an end solution which is scalable in future


TSAMS PennDOT Business Goals

• Provide a centralized repository to manage traffic signal assets

• Provide an automated management system for maintaining traffic signal assets

• Provide reporting capabilities for all pertinent traffic signal asset data

• Identify ways to document or determine traffic signal analytics

• Create an end solution which is scalable in future


TSAMS Structure

•Inventory•Asset database•Document repository

•Maintenance•GIS Integration


TSAMS Database StructureTraffic Control System

Signal DeviceNon Signal (NS) Device

Linked SignalStructuresSignal HousingSignal IndicationStrain Pole Conn

Signal ComponentSig Highway Permit

Permit Rev HistorySig Status HistorySig County MuniSig Street LocationSignal Contact

Device Flash Time Linked Non Signal

Signal SignSignal Controller

NS Signal Hwy Permit

NS County Muni

Regional Contact

NS Street LocationNS Status History

“Master” Tables• Approved Products• Manufacturers• Suppliers• Sign Master List


TSAMS Data Collection

• Municipal and PennDOT District stakeholders don’t have staff capacity to rapidly populate the database

• Extended timeline for availability of data will delay the use of TSAMS

• Act 89 of 2013 created new requirements for PennDOT to fund and resolve issues with traffic signal operations and maintenance

• PennDOT Bureau of Maintenance & Operations advertised data collection contract in spring 2015

• June 30, 2016• Data collection complete• TSAMS available to stakeholders


TSAMS Data Collection

• Intersections part of inventory• Traffic control signals (red, yellow, green)• At least one approach is a state highway• Excluding City of Philadelphia (separately funded

inventory will be completed using GLG funds)• May 2015: 8,641 intersections in scope• April 2016:

• Add 617 intersections• Remove 511 intersections• Net 8,747 intersections


Data Collection Techniques

Mobile LiDAR• Capture 3D location

(point cloud) of exposed signal components

• Extract visible signal asset attributes with dimensions

• Capture 360-degree spherical images

Stakeholder Data Acquisition• PennDOT Central

Office• PennDOT Districts• Municipal Signal

Owners• Planning

Organizations• Maintenance

Contractors• Vendors

Field Inspection• Validate information

collected by LiDAR and from stakeholders

• Capture elements unable to be collected by other methods (inside controller cabinets)

• Custom iPad application


Mobile LiDAR

• Geospatial information• 3D Point Cloud

• Visual information• Spherical photography

• Purpose of using LiDAR• Improved precision• Accelerated collection• Eliminate traffic impacts• Technician Safety


Spherical Imagery


LiDAR Collection StatusCollected

Not Collected

Added (Not Collected)

Added (Collected)

No Signal Found


Stakeholder & Field Inspection


Stakeholders: PennDOT Districts

• Data fields to be populated with information provided by the District, including:

o Agreements

o Permits

o Design Documents and Drawings

o Studies/analysis

o Signal databases or GIS

o Key municipal correspondence/activities

• Notify project team of new or revised permit plans issued for duration of the project


Stakeholders: Municipalities

• Initial outreach (February 2016)


Municipal Participation

• Mostly positive and cooperative response• And a few of these:


Field Inspection

• Primarily focus on controller cabinet equipment• Signal Components (controller, conflict monitor,

detection, battery backup, etc.)• Custom iPad application to facilitate accurate

data entry in field


Sustainability

• Notice placed in

cabinet to indicate

inspection date and

who to contact

• PennDOT Districts

provide information on

new permits issued


Lessons Learning

• Schedule constraints• Ideal process:

Documentation Proof of Concept Production• Proof of concept not able to be completed prior to

moving into production• Like a design-build

• Inventory of past vs. database designed for present (we’re finding lots of old stuff!)

• Assembly line process• Each step has a learning curve• Each step has error rate and holds up successor tasks


Yes, it exists in Pennsylvania

• Pedestrian signal options:• Type A (countdown)• Type B (symbol)



• Mast arm connection type options:

• Bolt to plate• Nut and bolt



• Structure type options:• Mast arm• Strain pole• Pedestal• Pedestrian stub pole

• Building functioning as strain pole?

• 1 Signal housing or 4?



• Signal removal in process during inventory




• Arm attached to a strain pole


Yes, it exists in Pennsylvania• Structure type options:

• Mast arm• Strain pole• Pedestal• Pedestrian stub pole

Mast arm or strain pole?




• Pedestal or stub pole?



• Clearance height for sign?



• Mechanically unfolding NO LEFT TURN sign when railroad preemption is active



Phone Drop mounting


Changing course

• Mast arm failure in Erie – April 4, 2016• Possible cause was bolt covered in dirt• Identify other locations where bolts are in dirt


Caution: Green Light, Go Maybe

Traffic Signal Asset Management System (TSAMS)

Project Info:http://pasignals.mbakerintl.com/

Steve Gault, P.E., PTOEMichael Baker [email protected]

BUREAU OF MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS