Intelligent Transportation (ITS) & Security Systems

Our staff is very knowledgeable in ITS security components and related systems integration. Our experience includes vehicle detection systems, CCTV cameras, traffic management systems, changeable message signs, code blue stations, automated red light cameras, Ethernet communications, fiber optics and wireless communications. Our approach to ITS projects includes installation of infrastructure to provide needed redundancy and flexibility for future expansion. We can specify, select, set-up, test and commission the system at our fully equipped test shop.

Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) program - British Columbia

The Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) program is an integral road safety initiative operated by the police in British Columbia in partnership with Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Its purpose is to reduce the frequency of crashes associated with running a red light in various communities across the Province. Redflex Traffic Systems Ltd. (Redflex) were selected by ICBC to design, supply, install and maintain 140 intersection safety cameras installed.

DMD were retained by the Redflex (http://www.redflex.com/) to undertake design and prepare drawings. DMD were responsible for over 110 sites throughout the following British Columbia municipalities:

Abbotsford	Duncan	Nanaimo	Saanich
Burnaby	Kamloops	North Vancouver	Surrey
Chilliwack	Kelowna	Pitt Meadows	Vancouver
Coquitlam	Langley	Port Coquitlam	Vernon
Courtenay	Maple Ridge	Prince George
Deltay	Mission	Richmond

DMD met the challenge of preparing design drawings in accordance with varying municipality's standards and very tight construction schedules. Upon installation, DMD prepared record drawings for all the intersections designed.

The ISC program has been in operation in British Columbia since 1999 and has reduced the amount of vehicle crashes due to red light violations resulting in saved lives.

Traffic Video Monitoring System - Coquitlam, British Columbia

The City of Coquitlam required a video traffic monitoring system at signalized intersections along the Lougheed and Barnett Highway corridors. City operations staff intends to use the system to monitor traffic and aid in responding to incidents, providing a safer and more efficient roadway system. The system will also be set-up to provide the public access to current traffic conditions via the City web site.

Through a competitive selection process DMD and Associates Ltd were retained to provide the design and system integration services. A total of ten (10) pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera locations were chosen at key signalized intersections locations. Eight of the ten cameras were connected using a Gigabit fibre ring topology, allowing for system redundancy. There was no existing conduit and fibre installed at two of the camera locations, therefore broadband radios were used to provide connectivity with these locations to the fibre ring. Data from other traffic equipment at these locations will also be transmitted using the wireless broadband links.

The project was undertaken in two distinct stages: Design and System Integration.

Design

Key element of the design stage included:

• Detailed review of the existing signal and fibre infrastructure,
• Define operational requirements in consultation with City staff,
• Review and selection of IP based pan-tilt-zoom cameras, Ethernet switches, mounting brackets, radios, cables, and related components,
• Significant discussions and coordination with the City traffic and IT departments.
• Preparation of installation drawings and specifications. This included revisions to existing signal drawings along with preparation of a system riser diagram.
• Cost estimates and supplier quotes.

It was agreed the City would pre-purchase the camera equipment and related hardware based on recommendations and quotes provided by DMD. This allowed the City and DMD to review and select equipment based on software, operating system, key features, technical support and warranty.

System Integration

The integration stage consisted of the setup, configuration and testing of all of the system components at DMD’s shop. All of the equipment was connected as it would be in the field including servers and City IT components. Attenuators were installed in the fibre cable to simulate fibre losses in the field due to patch panels, connectors and splices. Equipment setup and testing included PTZ cameras, power supplies, surge protection equipment, Ethernet/Fibre switches, broad band radio equipment, and the head end equipment, including a server, router and workstations. Setting up the system in DMD’s shop allowed the City staff to review and have input into set-up options. This was key for the City’s IT group and integration of the system into the City network. It also allowed faulty equipment to be identified and replaced prior installation in the field.

After the set-up and testing was completed, all equipment was labeled and packaged for contractor pick-up and installation. Following installation DMD will review and monitor construction, provide record drawings, system documentation, set-up and training.

Alaska Highway Variable Message Signs (VMS's), British Columbia

The Alaska Highway runs through northern British Columbia from Dawson Creek north to Watson Lake in the Yukon. The 1000km of highway is a vital transportation route connecting BC an the Yukon. Road conditions can become very serve in the winter thus requiring variable message signs to advise motorists of road conditions.

The project involved the selection and design of 4 variable message signs and large support structures. Key elements of the project included define sign layout and type, develop detailed specifications for the signs and support structures, prepare drawings and specifications, define communications system and coordination with Telus and Bell, coordination of power supplies with electrical utilities and coordination of the pre-purchase of the LED VMS's. As the signs were under Public Works Canada jurisdiction both french and english messages were required which required extensive research and recommendations for text size, spacing, font colour and display type. Signs were inspected at the supplier (Ledstar's) manufacturing plant in Toronto and upon delivery at Public Works yard in Fort Nelson, BC.

Alberta Variable Message Signs (VMS's), Alberta

Varaible message signs were required on Highway 1 just east of Calgary which fell under Alberta Transportation jurisdiction and on Highway 1 at the Castle interchange just north of Banff and at the the Icefields Interchange at Lake Louise. Road conditions can become very serve in the winter thus requiring variable message signs to advise motorists of road conditions.

The project involved the specification of 3 variable message signs and large support structures for a design build contract. Key elements of the project included define sign layout and type, develop detailed specifications for the signs and support structures, reviewed drawings and specifications, coordinate with contractors, coordination with Telus and LED VMS supplier Daktronics. As the signs were under Parks Canada jurisdiction both french and english messages were required which required extensive research and recommendations for text size, spacing, font colour and display type. Signs were inspected at the supplier (Daktronics) manufacturing plant in South Dakota.

The project required extensive coordination with Alberta Transportation and Parks Canada who will both be operating the signs in their jurisdictions.

Grauer Lands Parking Lot Security Systems - Richmond, British Columbia

The growth and expansion of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the new Canada Line extension to YVR led to the need for additional employee parking. Adjacent to the Canada Line Templeton Station and the airport, a 2500 stall employee parking lot was constructed on the Grauer Lands site.

As the employee parking lot was isolated from the main airport area, the safety and security of the employees was a concern. The security was enhanced with lighting and a surveillance system, consisting of high resolution fixed and Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) cameras. Code blue emergency call stations and a parking lot gate access system were also added to provide additional employee security. A fibre backbone provides connectivity from the parking lot to the main terminal where the system is monitored by security staff.

DMD provided design services for all of the electrical, the parking lot lighting, a Wi-Fi system, the code blue emergency call stations and the cabinets used to house all of the equipment required for system operating and remote monitoring. Services were also provided for the selection of the fixed and PTZ cameras and the integration of the parking lot gate access system.

DMD provided plans and specifications for the above systems, which was included with the parking lot construction tender. Coordination was necessary with the YVR IT group and the Canada Line IT design group. The system set-up, commissioning and testing were undertaken by an YVR approved third party system integrator. DMD was responsible for providing quality control by monitoring the set-up, commissioning and testing.

The capital cost for the electrical, lighting and systems noted above was around $2.5M. The owner is the Vancouver Airport. DMD was a sub-consultant to AECOM. The project was started in late 2008 and completed in the summer of 2009 for the opening of the Canada Line.

Bridgeport Transit Signal Priority - Richmond, British Columbia

DMD were retained by the hardware supplier Novax Industries as part of large turn-key project which involved design, supply and installation of Novax’s TransPod transit priority system. We provided traffic engineering services for a project aimed at refining transit operations in very congested area of the City of Richmond.

We provided an optimum transit system performance that encompasses both directions of travel along corridor. This proved to be a delicate balance between refining signal operations for transit vehicles while at the same time maintaining a high level of service for the general public. Any modifications to the timing plans had to be accepted by the stakeholders involved transit authority, City of Richmond, and Ministry of Transportation. Transit priority included features such as green extension, red truncation and special transit phases (queue jumping) with minimal impact on non-TSP traffic.

Our key responsibilities included:

• Review of transit signal priority (TSP) operation for two different traffic controller manufacturers. This ensured that the proposed TSP operation could be physically implemented in the existing infrastructure.
• Coordinated with stakeholders as required regarding approval for the recommended controller database changes for TSP operation.
• Coordinated with traffic controller suppliers regarding controller TSP operation.
• Defined best method of TSP operation (manufacturer specific or as per NTCIP 1211 Object Definitions for Signal Control and Prioritization)
• Analyzed existing controller databases and generated report on feasibility for TSP operation.
• Determined the time available in controller database to accommodate TSP operation for each timing plan currently used.
• Coordinated with stakeholders as required regarding approval for the recommended controller database changes for TSP operation.
• Determined available options to coordinate both directions of traffic to minimize delay to TSP buses.
• Generated timing and coordination plans for 5 intersections.
• Undertook validation of the TSP operation for the Econolite and Naztec controllers in lab for each intersection controller. The validation process was crucial in order to guarantee problem free commissioning/implementation.
• Generated reports and database printouts based on lab results and provided them to stakeholders for approval. Prepared signal timing sheets for approval.
• Generated report and database printouts based on lab results for stakeholder approval.
• Programmed controllers with approved TSP databases.
• Validated TSP check-in and check-out for one TSP plan at each intersection location.
• Provided report identifying the potential benefits of TSP operation for the transit vehicles and the impact on non-TSP transit vehicles and local traffic.We found the bus priority through an intersection had some negative impacts. If the signal head for the bus was to remain green until the bus cleared the intersection, other approaches resulted in larger queue build up, resulting in longer delays. The idling vehicles now are producing more GHG emissions then previously. In order to overcome any new delays introduced by TSP we redesigned the operation of the traffic signals by introducing overlaps, add coordination with adjacent signals, as well as used volume density to reduce the delays on other non TSP approaches. Special attention was given to areas of congestion. All these upgrades resulted in reduced impacts and improved traffic flow.

City of Burnaby Emergency Vehicle Signal Pre-emption - Burnaby, British Columbia

The City of Burnaby is equipping all of the traffic signals and emergency vehicles within the city with an emergency vehicle and transit signal priority control system. This system will provide faster response times for fire and police departments and has the capability to reduce transit vehicle travel times. The project involves approximately 230 intersections and over 200 emergency vehicles.

Through a competitive selection process, DMD was retained to manage the installation and provide system integration for this project. DMD are responsible for mapping all of the approaches for the GPS based preemption system as well as program the priority control system equipment. The project also involves programming the traffic control equipment and operational testing for the approximately 230 signalized intersections.

Article about the project that appeared in "Info Burnaby (Summer 2011 Edition)"

Dollarton Highway Communications - District of North Vancouver, British Columbia

The District of North Vancouver has several signalized intersections along Dollarton Highway operating in a coordinated system. Remote communications with each of the intersection locations was performed using five conventional dial up lines. The dial up lines allowed District staff to collect and manage data from the traffic controllers at each location. Additionally, real time compressed video was also sent over the dial up lines from the Autoscope video detection cameras and Pan-Tilt-Zoom traffic surveillance cameras. The existing five dial up lines had limited bandwidth, were costly and were also a maintenance issue.

The dial up connections were removed and replaced with a single Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection. Communications from each of the intersections to the DSL point were made over the existing multimode fibre cable. New, digital equipment was installed at each of the intersection locations to provide a remote Ethernet communications link to all locations. DMD & Associates provided a communications solution, providing the following benefits:

• Increased Reliability – A DSL connection provides a reliable and robust connection to the field equipment.
• Cost Savings – It is estimated the elimination of the dial-up phone lines will save $3000 per year.
• Increased Bandwidth - District staff can better evaluate traffic conditions with superior video transmission from Autoscope and Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras.
• Decreased Maintenance – No more time spent troubleshooting dial up connections.
• Increased Efficiency – Data collection and programming can be performed remotely either by District staff, or DMD technical specialists if required.

The capital cost and budget is approximately $50K. The owner is the District of North Vancouver and DMD are the prime consultant. The project was started in 2008 and completed with 3 months.

Lions Gate Bridge Advance Traveller Information System

Traffic congestion continues to plague motorists in all major Cities. The Advance Traveler Information System (ATIS) utilizes a series of cameras, vehicle detectors, and advanced traffic controllers located within the Lions Gate Causeway, and the Marine Drive and Taylor Way corridors in the City of Vancouver and West Vancouver. The system was used to determine vehicle queues and post estimated delay times onto large changeable message signs located at key corridor access points.

The system included integration into an existing counterflow lane control system, the interfacing with an existing CCTV system and fibre-optic network, the design of remote controller cabinets and internal components, and interfacing with the ATIS software designer.

The capital cost and budget was $800K. The owner is the Ministry of Transportation and DMD were a sub-consultant to the IBI Group. The project was started in 2007 and was completed within 6 months.

Web Camera Systems

Web cameras provide a simple and cost effective method of displaying snap shot images of road conditions onto the Provincial Government's Web Site. These snap shots of road conditions at various locations throughout British Columbia area are available to the traveling public via the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Road Information Site.

For this project DMD purchased and assembled cameras and video servers. The cameras were set-up and tested in our shop and on site. We coordinated with Ministry IT group and provided all drawings and support documentation. In addition DMD have developed design, installation, maintenance, commissioning, and material standards for the deployment of web cameras and have undertaken the design and commissioning of many installations.

Under a separate contract DMD also designed, purchased, set-up, tested and commissioned web cameras for the Corporation of Delta as part of the “IMove” project.

The capital cost and budget was $80K. The owner is the Ministry of Transportation and DMD were the prime consultant. The project was started in 2007 and was completed within 6 months.

British Columbia Highway Cams Website

Joint Use Vehicle Inspection Station

This project involved the design of a joint (British Columbia/Alberta) inspection station in Donald, British Columbia. The project included a weigh-in-motion system made up of cameras, control cabinets, vehicle sensors, and LED signs which are all connected via fibre optic cables.

DMD also designed the guide signing, roadway and inspection and scale area lighting, changeable message signs, operator interfaces and controls, power distribution, and site servicing for power and telephone. This system and design was used as a basis for current weigh scale and inspection stations including the selection of weigh-in -motion systems.

Nexus/Fast Lane Border Project

Improved efficiency was required the Canada/US Pacific Border Crossing thus requiring additional lanes and separate transport vehicle lanes and Nexus/Fast lanes. The project involved electrical and lighting upgrades to the Canada Customs terminal as well as Highway 15 leading up the US Border.

DMD also undertook the design of guide signing on large overhead structures and well as an innovative truck queuing/priority to signal system which involved design, testing, set-up and commissioning of the system. The truck stagging system allowed vehicle to assemble in designated and proceed to the border based on arrival.

Other project elements included parking lot lighting, roadway lighting, traffic signals and relocations to the Advance Traveller Information System (ATIS).

WR Bennett Floating Bridge Design-Build-Finance-Operate

This $148M project located in Kelowna, British Columbia involved the replacement of an existing 3 lane floating bridge with a new 5 lane - 1000m long floating bridge. DMD's work on this project included provisions for an automatic incident detection system, a CCTV system, a seismic monitoring system, a weather monitoring station, back-up power via a standby diesel generator and uninteruptable power supplies (UPS). Other work included the design of a fibre optic network, traffic signals, and 3rd party utility conduit systems, electrical power distribution, and roadway lighting.

A vehicle counter and classification collection system was designed by DMD to measure performance by counting and classifying vehicles crossing the bridge. This system was a critical element of the project as vehicle counting and classification (trucks versus cars) was the primary basis for concessionaire payment. The system therefore had to have built in redundancy to ensure accurate data was always provided.

The CCTV traffic surveillance system included digital video recorders, controls for pan-tilt-zoom camera’s, and monitors in the owners control room. This system is used by operations staff to monitor and define incidents and dispatch appropriate authorities. The system was set-up so streaming video could be accessed via a secured web page on the internet. In addition specific cameras were set-up so snap shot images were sent to and displayed on the Ministry Drive BC web site. Our work included design, specification of equipment, system integration in DMD’s shop and on-site, testing, set-up and commissioning, troubleshooting, coordination with Ministry and owner IT groups, setting-up of firewalls and assigning of IP address’s. We also set-up outputs from the video server for local television news networks to display streaming video clips on news broadcasts.

The capital cost for the electrical and system noted above was $3.5M. The owner is the Ministry of Transportation and the SNC Design Build Group. The project was started in 2005 and completed in 2008.

William R. Bennett Bridge Intelligent Transportation Systems Presentation

Newton Community Centre Surveillance System - Surrey, British Columbia

Security was becoming an issue at the Newton Community Center in Surrey. The City retained DMD to upgrade the parking lot lighting and add additional CCTV cameras to the existing system. Lighting was upgraded to meet the Illumination Engineering Society Parking Lot Lighting requirements.

On the CCTV side DMD reviewed existing system operation, worked with local vendor to define system requirements and upgrades and reviewed quotes from suppliers.

Nestlé Water Treatment Plant Security System - Hope, British Columbia

With security becoming an issue of concern DMD were retained to define system requirements for security system for the Nestle Water Treatment in Hope, BC. DMD worked with plant operators to prepare a conceptual design and cost estimate for CCTV cameras, security lighting, entrance gate card readers, security gates, monitors and alarm systems.

DMD produced a study outlining system operation, estimated costs, options and issues to be defined prior to detailed design and deployment. The next stage will be system design.

Starfire Sports - Seattle, Washington

Starfire Sports, a private nonprofit corporation retained the services of DMD to provide fast-track design and construction services for a major soccer complex including a stadium, eight state of the art regulation turf soccer fields and a 70,000 sf indoor facility.

DMD undertook design of electrical and sports lighting systems and were involved with the public address (PA) systems, video boards and scoreboards, local area network, telecommunications, and CCTV cameras and recorders for coaching staff. Coming from the IT industry the owner demanded a state of the art system at a reasonable cost. This involved extensive review of vendor products, coordination and interface of various systems.

Seattle University Stadium - Seattle, Washington

Seattle University is located in heart of Seattle. The University required their current playing stadium replaced to accommodate NCAA Soccer events. DMD were retained to design the IT infrastructure to accommodate present and future needs. We designed electrical and communications system to interface the new stadium press box with various IT systems including phones, data, security (CCTV) and an alarm system. DMD undertook a complete survey of current systems and worked closely with University IT specialists to define all installation requirements. We selected equipment, produced system riser diagrams, prepared installation specifications and assisted in commissioning and testing.

DMD also provided design of public address system as well as video display board.

 

Contact DMD

DMD & Associates Ltd

• #12-17358 104A Ave.
• Surrey BC  V4N 5M3
• Canada
• Tel: +1 604-589-9010
• Toll Free: +1 877-249-8080
• Fax: +1 604-589-9012
• Email: info@dmdeng.com
• Map

Pacific Northwest PO Box

• 1770 Front St., PMB #267
• Lynden WA  98264
• USA

Arizona

• 4700 South Fulton Ranch Blvd #77
• Chandler AZ  85248
• USA
• Toll Free: +1 877-249-8080