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Clearwater recently became the first city in the nation to use
a dual predictive Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to move traffic on
its roads. The $10.6 million systems will improve traffic flow on U.S. 19 and
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and are a major part of Clearwater’s growing Intelligent
Transportation System (ITS).
The RHODES (Real-time, Hierarchical, Optimized, Distributed,
Effective System) system manages traffic on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and the OPAC (Optimization
Polices for Adaptive Control) system manages traffic on U.S. 19. The combined
ITS system is necessary because of the differences between the two roads.
RHODES excels at managing roads with irregular traffic signal
spacing, like Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. In contrast, U.S. 19 has uniform spacing,
which the OPAC system handles well. Both systems use a combination of cameras,
sensors, computers and advanced software to predict traffic flows and adjust
signal “green time.”
Each intersection constantly communicates with other
intersections along the road, updating how heavy traffic is and how long it
will take to get to the next intersection. Motorists will also benefit from
Dynamic Message Boards that provide traffic updates, accident updates, road
closure alerts, Amber alerts and other important announcements. Future uses for
these ITS/ATMS include in-car traffic updates, direction assistance and
collision avoidance systems.
ITS/ATMS will also allow Clearwater to quickly identify problem
areas caused by accidents or inoperable vehicles. State law prohibits any law
enforcement agency from using this technology for traffic enforcement.
Clearwater’s ITS/ATMS systems are the first systems activated
in a much larger Pinellas County ITS/ATMS effort. Funds for ITS/ATMS where
provided through a partnership between Clearwater, Pinellas County and the
Metropolitan Planning Organization. For more information on ITS/ATMS, contact
Paul Bertels at 727-562-4794.
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