Jason Lund

Transit agencies now have access to a powerful new tool that can help to speed up travel times and improve ridership with the release of Opticom Analytics for Public Transit from Global Traffic Technologies (GTT). The web-based platform can help agencies assess performance, reveal problem areas and make corrections to provide faster, more efficient transit operations. Turning valuable data into actionable insights is a key step for communities working to become connected, smart cities, said Global Traffic Technologies’ (GTT) president Jason Lund. “Becoming a smart city is an incremental process,” Lund said. “Opticom Analytics is a logical first step - it provides tangible, immediate improvements that improve mobility in your community.”Buses can request an extended or truncated traffic light cycle, reducing travel time Reduced Travel Time GTT, a provider of priority control solutions, first released Opticom Analytics for public safety agencies in June 2017. EMS World Magazine named the tool an Innovation Award winner late last year. The analytics capabilities were expanded this year to enable transit agencies to easily view critical information about their vehicles as they pass through an intersection, as well as powerful schedule-based analytics available as part of GTT's Opticom Connected Vehicle Platform (CVP). Transit managers can monitor key metrics such as on-time performance, Transit Signal Priority (TSP) utilization, current route/trip information, and dwell time and travel time by vehicle or route. GTT's system provides historical and real-time data related to how well operations are performing, and also with industry-leading Opticom TSP, buses can request an extended or truncated traffic light cycle, reducing travel time and maximizing operational and on-time performance. End-To-End Management Solution GTT’s product manager Chad Mack said the new platform is an end-to-end management solution that gives users the data they need to make more informed decisions about their transit operations.Once they pinpoint the problem areas, agencies can make adjustments to enable faster travel times "Transit managers can monitor their transit operations using real-time and historical data to assess operational performance,” Mack said. “This data has been available for years, but Opticom Analytics’ value comes from the ability to collect and analyze the data in a meaningful way.” Knowing where a transit system’s problem areas are can help agencies make changes that improve their on-time performance and ridership. “Once they pinpoint the problem areas, agencies can make adjustments to enable faster travel times and reduce the chance of a delay,” Mack said. "Those adjustments can range from adjusting the posted schedule to fine-tuning the system concerning when Opticom TSP is allowed to request priority to help get a bus through the intersection faster." Opticom CVP And GPS-Enabled Hardware The analytics software relies on data collected from Opticom’s GPS-enabled hardware and the Opticom CVP. Data logs from the vehicle equipment are securely uploaded to the analytics platform via a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. GTT’s system provides data that goes beyond what is typically collected from a vehicle’s onboard computer. GPS data from the Opticom system is logged at 1-second intervals for accurate and detailed vehicle and intersection information. “There are a lot of valuable insights that can be found by collecting data every second versus only logging every 15 or 30 seconds,” Mack explained.Agencies can fix problem areas by adjusting the priority control system, adding components or performing maintenance The information is compiled into a web-based application that can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection. Users can sort and view performance metrics based on date, speed, travel time, vehicle type, priority control usage and more. Efficient Performance Assessment The platform gives users the data needed to assess, reveal and correct typical problems: Assess performance: The interface provides an easy means to evaluate vehicle, route and intersection performance, including on-time performance, current vehicle location, signal priority usage and travel time. Reveal problem areas: Mapping functions reveal problems, including slowdowns and delays caused by heavy traffic or a lack of priority control. Route and vehicle metrics show on-time performance and other key metrics. Make corrections: Agencies can fix problem areas by adjusting the priority control system, adding components or performing maintenance.

The Fire Department in the village of Crestwood, Illinois, is set to benefit from faster response times and safer journeys with the implementation of an Opticom™ traffic preemption solution from Global Traffic Technologies, LLC (GTT). The Opticom Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections quickly and safely. Decreasing Incident Response Times A total of 17 intersections in Crestwood have been equipped with the Opticom EVP system. When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection, the system onboard the vehicle sends a request to the intersection’s controller ahead of its arrival. If the request is granted, the light turns green and the vehicle gets a clear path through the intersection. The result is a decrease in incident response times and a safer journey for both Fire Department personnel and Crestwood residents. Fast And Efficient Passage To Scene Of Incidents Crestwood is located 17 miles south of Chicago’s Loop and is home to more around 11,000 people, who live in two townships: Worth Township and Bremen Township. Crestwood Fire Department was established in 1961, and provides the village with both firefighting and emergency medical services. GTT’s president Jason Lund said, “GTT is proud to provide the Village of Crestwood and Crestwood Fire Department with an Opticom EVP system. This will help improve operational safety by allowing Fire Department vehicles fast and efficient passage through busy intersections and to the scene of incidents.”

The city of Pasco in Washington State has expanded its Opticom traffic preemption solution from Global Traffic Technologies, LLC (GTT). The system works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections quickly and safely. Improved Response Times And Operational Safety When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection, the Opticom Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system onboard the emergency vehicle sends a request to the intersection’s controller ahead of its arrival. If the request is granted, the light turns green and the vehicle gets a clear path through the intersection. In Pasco, the city has expanded the existing EVP system to include eight more of its busiest intersections. This will allow emergency vehicles to respond to incidents even faster, and to avoid the danger of navigating an intersection against the flow of traffic. Expanding Traffic Preemption Solution Pasco is located in the southeast of Washington State, amongst the Columbia, Yakima and Snake rivers, and is home to more than 70,000 residents. The city is a major player in Washington’s booming wine industry, with numerous wineries producing vintages in the local area. ‘Fight Club’ novelist Chuck Palahniuk is from Pasco. GTT’s president Jason Lund said, “GTT is delighted to continue our relationship with the city of Pasco and its emergency services. The expansion to the system will help improve response times and operational safety for emergency vehicles and personnel.”

The city of Denver, Colorado, will benefit from faster response times and safer journeys for its emergency services vehicles with the expansion of its Opticom traffic preemption solution. The Opticom Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system, from Global Traffic Technologies, LLC (GTT), works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections quickly and safely. Upgrading Existing EVP System When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection, the Opticom EVP system onboard the vehicle sends a request to the intersection’s controller ahead of its arrival. If the request is granted, the light turns green and the vehicle gets a clear path through the intersection. In Denver, 60 of the city’s busiest intersections have been included as part of an expansion and upgrade to the existing EVP system, ensuring emergency vehicles and personnel are able to proceed to incidents swiftly and safely. Improve Operational Safety Systems and Emergency Services The capital of Colorado, Denver is home to almost 700,000 residents. The city houses the second largest Performing Arts Center in the USA, and the Denver metropolitan area is the smallest in the US to have a team in all four of the country’s major sports: Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (Major League Baseball), Denver Nuggets (NBA) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL). GTT’s president Jason Lund said, “The further expansion and modernization of Denver’s EVP system will help improve operational safety for residents and emergency services, as well as decreasing response times for emergency vehicles. We’re thrilled to be able to continue our relationship with the city of Denver.”

Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) has contracted with the city of Green Bay in Wisconsin to provide the city with its Opticom GPS-enabled Emergency Vehicle Preemption solution. Opticom works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections rapidly and without incident. The Opticom solution is multimode, which means the solution works with both the new GPS-enabled/radio technology, as well as areas that still use infrared signaling technology. When an emergency vehicle needs to navigate an intersection, the Opticom system on-board the vehicle sends a request to the intersection’s controller ahead of its arrival, which requests a green light, clearing a path to enable the vehicle’s expedited passage. Opticom Emergency Vehicle Services In Green Bay, the Opticom system will be used by emergency vehicles at four key intersections. GTT’s president Jason Lund said, “We are very happy to be working with the city of Green Bay to bring the benefits of Opticom to emergency services personnel and residents.” Green Bay is the third-largest city in the state of Wisconsin and has a population in excess of 100,000. Green Bay is an industrial city, famed for its meatpacking industry and paper mills. It is also home to the National Football League team the Green Bay Packers, which was established in 1919 and has won four Super Bowls.