Four major bridges over the lower Mississippi are to get intelligent transportation systems (ITS) upgrades, thanks to a US$10 million grant from the 324 US Department of Transportation TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) fund. The project will expand existing ITS systems in each of the three states to complement previous state and private investments.
The project will expand existing ITS systems on the strategically and commercially vital bridges, the only ones that span the river along the Mississippi/Arkansas/Louisiana borders. Between or at these crossings are several ports that link the river traffic to the highways, railroads and interstates.
The Mississippi River Bridges Incident Management, Freight Movement and Security (MRITS) project is a joint operation of the1991 Mississippi Department of Transportation, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and 6174 Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. It also includes a private partnership commitment from advanced transportation management system (ATMS) software provider 285 Delcan, for software that will allow for fully integrated monitoring, operation and control of the entire system, accessible in all three states.
This project includes two main components from which a number of benefits are expected. The river flow monitoring will increase the safety of barge traffic, reduce the likelihood of collisions and increase the economic competitiveness of maritime traffic on the Mississippi River. The traffic monitoring /information dissemination systems provide benefits to both the travelling public and the regional economy in terms of improved safety, reduced congestion and delay and improved movements of goods and services from origin to destination.
The bridge monitoring system is designed to improve the flow of traffic, reduce slow-downs and traffic jams. It will include surveillance cameras on above roadway for 100 per cent coverage of bridge travel, below the bridge deck for a view of river traffic and one camera on each approach for video detection and to monitor approaching traffic conditions. Video detection systems will be deployed on each approach for volume, speed and vehicle length classification, while dynamic message signs before critical detour points will advise approaching drivers of traffic conditions on the bridges.
Surveillance cameras and traffic signal monitoring systems will also be deployed for intersection and detour verification and monitoring.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the project is a credit to the ability of all three state transportation agencies to work together, with broad support from regional and local agencies in all three states.
The project will expand existing ITS systems on the strategically and commercially vital bridges, the only ones that span the river along the Mississippi/Arkansas/Louisiana borders. Between or at these crossings are several ports that link the river traffic to the highways, railroads and interstates.
The Mississippi River Bridges Incident Management, Freight Movement and Security (MRITS) project is a joint operation of the
This project includes two main components from which a number of benefits are expected. The river flow monitoring will increase the safety of barge traffic, reduce the likelihood of collisions and increase the economic competitiveness of maritime traffic on the Mississippi River. The traffic monitoring /information dissemination systems provide benefits to both the travelling public and the regional economy in terms of improved safety, reduced congestion and delay and improved movements of goods and services from origin to destination.
The bridge monitoring system is designed to improve the flow of traffic, reduce slow-downs and traffic jams. It will include surveillance cameras on above roadway for 100 per cent coverage of bridge travel, below the bridge deck for a view of river traffic and one camera on each approach for video detection and to monitor approaching traffic conditions. Video detection systems will be deployed on each approach for volume, speed and vehicle length classification, while dynamic message signs before critical detour points will advise approaching drivers of traffic conditions on the bridges.
Surveillance cameras and traffic signal monitoring systems will also be deployed for intersection and detour verification and monitoring.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the project is a credit to the ability of all three state transportation agencies to work together, with broad support from regional and local agencies in all three states.
