ATSSA Signal May June 2019

American Traffic Safety Services Association 14 Innovation & New Programs Product 101 Street Smart Rental supports work zone ITS It’s not news that more andmorework zones are becoming smarter. In fact, the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is growingnationwide, which translates to more accurate work zone detection, advanced warning systems, better traffic flow—and safer roadways. Headquartered in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Street Smart Rental, Inc. has been helping traffic control companies utilizework zone ITS for various projects since 1999. Street Smart Rental provides supplemental equip- ment to help traffic control companies share real-time information about their location and operations with other road- way users. “There are somany different types of work zones and different applications,” said Street Smart Rental Technology Sales Manager Brady Markell. “The thing with ITS and smart work zones, is it’s not reli- ant on just one piece of hardware or even software. It’s basically taking the best hardware and software out in themarket place and integrating it in one work site to create the safest scenario possible.” Markell said every state is at a different point in terms of their adoption of smart work zone technologies. Some states are more progressive andwork zone ITS tech- nologies are common practice. These technologies are intentionally addressed with a statewide contract that has the ability to deploy work zone ITS on any project at any time. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IowaDOT)usescameras tomonitorscenes, sensors to detect speeds, and portable Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) to send automated or Traffic Message Channel (TMC)-generatedmessages to drivers. All this integrates into the TMC alongside their permanent cameras, sensors, and DMS, and is sharedwith thepublic through their traveler information systems. “It’s hard to quantify the public safety ben- efits fromour Intelligent Work Zone (IWZ) program,” said Tim Simodynes, of the Iowa DOT’s Office of Traffic Operations, “But it has definitely been helpful for our TMC and field staff to be more aware of what’s happening in our work zones. We can address issues much more quickly, especially in rural areas where we do not have permanent ITS devices.” According to former ATSSAChair and Pres- ident of Road-Tech Safety Services, Inc. Joe Jeffrey, many of the innovations relat- ed to work zone ITS have been related to ConnectedandAutomatedVehicles (CAVs). “These devices are especially helpful when you have a crew moving down the road because they provide an accurate, updat- ed location versus a general area to mo- torists and CAVs,” Jeffrey said.  ATSSA member Street Smart Rental, Inc. offers specialized equipment for work zone ITS projects that make roadways safer for roadway workers, pedestrians, and motorists. Photos courtesy of Street Smart Rental. Inc.