Advanced Transportation

Introduction

Montgomery County, Maryland is part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Montgomery County, with a population of 810,000, 3,000 miles of roadways, and a major mass transit system has the usual multitude of transportation problems associated with developing urban areas. Montgomery County recognizes that the transportation system within the County will have to be efficiently managed if the transportation demands of the 21st century are to be met.

To meet the transportation management needs of Montgomery County, an Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) is being implemented.

Advanced Transportation Management System

The ATMS is based on over 16 years of experience in designing, constructing, and operating a real time computerized signal system composed of over 700 traffic signals.

The ATMS is operated from Montgomery County's Transportation Management Center. (TMC) The ATMS incorporates the latest technologies and standards. Existing aerospace and defense technology is being transferred to the transportation system.

The ATMS features an open architecture and is composed of multiple subsystems that are integrated into a system that is managed and operated through common transportation workstations. The ATMS is designed by the users and implemented by various contractors. The ATMS is designed to provide three primary functions to include control, monitoring and information.

During 1995 and 1996, a joint U.S. Department of Transportation , Maryland Department of Transportation and Montgomery County project will equip all of the 250 Montgomery County Ride-on bus fleet with the latest in GPS (Global Positioning System) based automatic vehicle locating technology.

Vehicle tracking will be integrated with the traffic signal control system to provide priority treatment for buses. Montgomery County has funded a multi-million dollar capital improvement project to implement and test advanced transportation technologies in the County.

ATMS Features

The ATMS includes the following Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and related capabilities and functions:

  • Advanced traffic responsive traffic signal control for up to 1,500 signals.
  • Automated variable message and route guidance sign control system.
  • 200 camera video surveillance system.
  • Sophisticated electronic transportation monitoring systems.
  • Time critical geographic information system (GIS).
  • Automated transportation information system.
  • Travelers Advisory Radio System (TARS).
  • Live transportation broadcasts on Cable Television's County Cable 55 into homes and businesses.
  • Internet.
  • Integrated transit and traffic operations.
  • GPS and other technology based vehicle tracking system.
  • Automated Parking Management.
  • Automated incident detection and management system.
  • Aerial surveillance operations with "live" airborne video.
  • Automated integration with police/fire computer aided dispatch systems.
  • Automated transportation planning support.
  • Sophisticated fiber optic based communication system.
  • Integration with future automated highway systems.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Montgomery County's ATMS will incorporate the functions planned for as part of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The County's ATMS will be the foundation for future automated highway and transit systems in Montgomery County.

Development Partners

Montgomery County is presently working with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maryland State Highway Administration, Automatic Signal/Eagle Signal and Orbital Sciences Corp. and XiCAD to develop and implement the system.

Montgomery County has and will continue to offer it's substantial and sophisticated facilities and experienced staff for the testing of new transportation technologies and is willing to be a partner with public and private agencies and companies to develop, test and implement the latest transportation systems.

Benefits

The Advanced Transportation Management System will provide the following benefits:

  • Increase Safety.
  • Reduced fuel consumption.
  • Improved air quality.
  • Reduced Delays.
  • Improved mass transit operations.
  • Improved incident response and Management.
  • Improved transportation system capacity.
  • Improved regional transportation integration and information sharing.

ATMS MOVING MONTGOMERY COUNTY INTO THE 21st CENTURY

For further information on Montgomery County's Advanced Transportation Management System, please contact Mr. John Riehl, Chief, Traffic Operations Section, Department of Transportation, 100 Edison Park Engineering and Operations, 100 Edison Park Drive, 4th Floor, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878,  (240) 777-2190