NDOT Selects Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Technology to Upgrade Intelligent Transportation System
The Nevada Department of Transportation has deployed Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Ethernet hardware to implement a new data network foundation for its next-generation Intelligent Transport System (ITS). The new network makes it easier to connect and manage the growing mesh of Internet of Things (IoT) devices on the state’s highways, and has been designed to future-proof the data infrastructure and prepare for disruptive technologies being developed in the transportation sector, including weather and road condition sensors, status notification systems, and ultimately connected vehicle communication systems.
Intelligent Transportation Systems are at the forefront of the IoT revolution. The new deployment will support the growth in real-time data sent from various monitoring devices, including IP cameras, weather and road sensors, all connected to traffic operation centers which monitor vehicle congestion and road conditions. This information can then be shared with the public or used for signage and signalling to provide travelers with the latest traffic and safety updates — at the roadside, online and on mobile devices.
To meet the challenge of building a distributed network capable of withstanding Nevada conditions, NDOT is deploying hundreds of hardened, roadside cabinet ready Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch 6865 switches. These switches are designed to withstand temperatures from -40 to 167°F, variable power conditions, high levels of vibrations, dirt and dust, and meet stringent electromagnetic compatibility and interference requirements.
The network employs Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) protocol that allows IT teams of any size to create a scalable network that can dynamically adjust to topology changes and cut the time it takes to roll out new devices, services and applications – even in a multi-vendor environment.
Gary Molnar, ITS network manager, Nevada Department of Transportation said, “The new solution makes it easier for us to provide the best services throughout the 25 billion miles traveled by our road users each year, providing them with the right information to travel safely and ultimately reduce the time they spend on the road. Everything about the new network allows us to be more dynamic and identify, troubleshoot and fix issues much quicker. The reliability of the hardware coupled with the excellent level of technical support from ALE is a crucial element, as it means we spend less time maintaining equipment and more time focused on delivering the services that impact people’s lives.”
Charles Matthews, North America lead, ALE said, “Intelligent Transportation Systems are going to play an increasingly important role in the safety and efficiency of road travel as traffic volumes continue to grow in the coming decades. As technology providers, we will need to consider every possible opportunity to help better manage transportation systems and infrastructure, as they become more integrated with other systems and new technologies – vehicle-to-vehicle communication, driver assistance systems and eventually autonomous vehicles – making their way on to our roads. At ALE our approach to data networks includes IoT connectivity, high levels of reliability, as well as the ability to expand and scale as new applications are deployed to support the evolving Intelligent Transport Systems.”
