Bus Radio AVL/APC Project (Completed 6/2011)

GHz Communications provided four years of technical project management and consulting help to Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to achieve final acceptance of TrapezeITS Transit Master AVL/APC implementation. This effort involved developing methodologies and tools to quantify the overall system health and performance of RF, wireless, infrastructure, Transit vehicle on-board equipment, and ITS information technologies. GHz Communications provided technical leadership in developing methodologies to utilize new technologies including Automatic Passenger Counting (APC), Automated Vehicle Annunciation (AVA), Automated Destination Signs, Automated Vehicle Fault and Alarm Monitoring, Single Sign-On to fare collection system, Schedule Adherence for both fixed and dynamic scheduling systems and real time information exchanges with MARTA regional partners.

4.9 GHz Safety ITS Network Design, King County Metro (Ongoing)

This project involved the IP design, lab pilot testing, proof-of-concept field test, and recommended configurations of a regional 4.9 GHz wireless network based upon an Connected Vehicle concept. This network supports the Bus RapidRide corridors for King County Metro to provide ITS Architecture based on connectivity to/from King County main campus facilities, Incorporated within this network are traffic signal controls, traffic signal privatization, real time arrival information signs, fare collection technology, enhances location reporting by transit vehicles, and backhaul for future security video cameras.

This network is the first implementation of the US DOT concept of the Connected Vehicle in the nation. GHz was responsible for three distinct strategic planning activities for this project: selection of 4.9 GHz Public Safety frequency for wireless access medium, development and demonstration of a proof-of-concept for the design, and development of a seamless migration path for the existing 802.11g wireless equipment to use the new medium.

Mobile CCTV and CCTV Expansion Projects, Metropilitan Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta, GA (Completed 6/2011)

GHZ Communications handles Design Mangement for a scheduled three year (2011-2014) effort to purchase, install, and implement Security Video cameras in all buses, mobility vans, and train cars for the Metropilitan Transit Authority (MARTA). The project involves the development of the RFP document, evaluation of vendor's equipment, evaluation of vendor's technical proposals, selection of vendor equipment, deployment, and acceptance of the implementation.

Up to 12 cameras will be installed on a total of 907 vehicles and train cars for the Mobile CCTV project. The CCTV Expansion Project will design and deploy an 802.11n wireless network at garages, terminal, and rail stations for the purpose of accessing event driven video recordings over the wireless link.

Rainer Corridor Rapid Transit Corridor, City of Seattly, Seattle, WA

GHz Communications is responsible for design and deployment of a 4.9 GHz wireless network along the Rainier corridor of Seattle. This corridor will demonstrate interoperability with the King County Metro Rapid Ride corridor vehicles. In this project, vehicles from Metro's transit fleet that are equipped with the 4.9 GHz mobile client will be recognized by City of Seattle maintained roadside access points and data collected by the City of Seattle will be exchanged with King County operations to provide sign updates for both Metro and City of Seattle facilities and traffic signal prioritization for transit, public safety, and emergency vehicles within the City of Seattle.

Seattle Streetcar Project, City of Seattle, WA (Ongoing)

For the First Hill Streetcar, GHz Communications in coordination with DKS conducted extensive analysis of the surface street system for a wide range of streetcar alignments. The proposed streetcar alignment extended from Broadway at Denny Street to Jackson Street at Occidental in Pioneer Square. Synchro and VISSIM were used to evaluate levels of service, signal timing, special streetcar phases, transit priority and the streetcar travel times through the corridor. A SEPA environmental analysis was completed, documenting the traffic benefits and impacts of the proposed project. GHz Communications in coordination with DKS is completing the final design of the traffic signal system, lighting and communications system for the Seattle Streetcar Project. The design includes 32 traffic signals, special phases for streetcar operations, transit signal priority and special signs to control streetcar operations. GHz Communications in coordination with DKS is also evaluating the use of an Opticon GPS-based system to provide detection for the streetcar vehicles. Other train detection options include Vetag loops and IR Opticom.

CATS Bus AVL/APC Project, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), Charlotte, NC (Completed 10/2005)

As Senior Project Manager, GHz Communications had program management responsibilities in support of deployment of a $5 million integrated CAD/AVL/APC Siemens system. This included the review of contractual requirements; evaluation of contractor test plans and procedures; development of a system requirements compliance matrix and tracking tool for APC/AVL system; and development of test requirements for Final Acceptance Test of the final system. GHz Communications also developed Requirement Documents for single sign-on capability for AVL/APC systems to all other major systems. They were the designated CATS representative for evaluation of Siemens-performed functional fit test, which measured the compliance of software delivery against system requirements.

Pacific Avenue Corridor TSP, Pierce Transit, Tacoma, WA (Completed 6/2011)

This project involved an upgrade to a minimum of 44 signal controllers and the installation of associated transit signal priority equipment, signs, fiber optic cable, striping and channelization improvements on 17 miles of the Pacific Avenue/SR 7 corridor. The corridor involved a segment managed by WSDOT and a second segment managed by the City of Tacoma. GHz Communications designed the network for both segments to provide connectivity between the traffic Operations Centers and Econolite 2070 Traffic Signal controllers along the highway. In addition to the design, GHz Communications is providing the pre-deployment construction support testing of the network to assure the operation complies with the design specifications.

Region 4 Ten-Year Phased ITS Communications Plan - Wireless Analysis, Oregon Department of Transportation, Bend, OR (Ongoing)

This project was part of a larger strategic planning effort by GHz Communications in coordination with DKS Associates, which involved evaluation of planned ITS architecture for traffic signal, CCTV, variable message signs, weather stations, and ATIM, as identified in the Deschutes County ITS plan near Bend, Oregon. The ten-year plan involved wireless links proposed for 4.9 GHz point-to-point and point-to-multi-point links. RF sites were established, which required an RF path analysis that included projected elevation profile, installation tilt, azimuth, and link budget, wireless equipment recommendations, and mounting instructions for the network elements.

Also included in this project is a second wireless deployment, GHz Communications was responsible for not only the RF survey and design, as in the Bend project, but the pilot testing, proof of concept, and deployment of a dual band 4.9 GHz and 5.8 GHz wireless mesh backhaul to ODOT's Traffic Management Operations Center. In the deployment, video from bridge security cameras, is remotely accessible on the 5.8 GHz mesh and ITS Adaptive Traffic Signs and Speed Sensors are accessible on the 4.9 GHz band.