Page 28 - Security Today, September/October 2022

dynamically changing the signal sequence to create more free flowing traffic. For example, the signal controller could skip a green interval for a direction with no traffic or extend a green interval for a direction with a long queue. Networking these intel- ligent signal controllers along city corridors enables them to work together to ensure that signal changes at one intersection will not have a negative impact at other intersections.
Another aspect of dynamic signal timing is emergency vehicle pre-emption. Depending on system configuration, a traffic-man- agement-center operator can temporarily override the signal con- trollers to create a faster route for emergency responders to travel. In some cases, the ambulance, fire truck or police car transmits the command to a roadside communications gateway, which then sends a command to the intersection signal controller to green- light the corridor for them.
DIRECTING PEOPLE TO AVAILABLE PARKING
Motorists traveling in congested urban areas often spend a lot of their trip time trying to find available parking. However, every time they circle the block, suddenly change lanes, slam on the breaks or make an illegal U-turn when they spy a spot, the likeli- hood of an accident occurring increases.
Parking space monitoring solutions already exist. For in- stance, many parking garages currently use video cameras and
“Reducing congestion reduces
the length of time vehicles stay on
the road. This, in turn, reduces fuel consumption and emissions, which improves air quality and brings the city a step closer to carbon neutrality.”
sensors to identify occupied and unoccupied parking spots and visualize that data via electronic signage and lane lights, making it easy for motorists to find open spots. Privately-operated park- ing facilities currently offer apps for motorists to reserve and pay for a parking spot before they leave home.
Looking forward, the goal is to achieve deep integrations between these parking occupancy-sensing technologies and the most popular mobile navigation apps used by motorists. With such an integration, real-time parking data is visible to motorists via the navigation app as they approach their destination – in- cluding the precise location of available parking in the immedi- ate area, as well as their fees. This would require collaboration between the public and private sector to finance, develop and operate such a service, but the investment could be a win-win for everyone. It would reduce motorist anxiety about finding a
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | SECURITY TODAY 8/11/22 12:33 PM
CITY SURVEILLANCE