Module 28 - A207a

A207a: Building an ITS Infrastructure Based on the Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC) 5201 Standard (Part 1 of 2)

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(Note: This document has been converted from a PowerPoint presentation to 508-compliant HTML. The formatting has been adjusted for 508 compliance, but all the original text content is included, plus additional text descriptions for the images, photos and/or diagrams have been provided below.)

Slide 1:

(Extended Text Description: Slide 1: Welcome - Graphic image of introductory slide. A large dark blue rectangle with a wide, light grid pattern at the top half and bands of dark and lighter blue bands below. There is a white square ITS logo box with words "Standards ITS Training" in green and blue on the middle left side. The word "Welcome" in white is to the right of the logo. Under the logo box are the words "RITA Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office.")

Slide 2:

Welcome

Ken Leonard, Director

ITS Joint Program Office

Ken.Leonard@dot.gov

(Extended Text Description: Intro Slide: Screen capture snapshot of RITA website - for illustration only. Below this image is a link to the current website: https://www.its.dot.gov/pcb - this screen capture snapshot shows an example from the RITA website from April 2013. At the top of the page it shows the RITA logo with the text U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration - Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office - ITS Professional Capacity Building Program/Advanced ITS Education. Below the main site banner, it shows the main navigation menu with the following items: About, ITS Training, Knowledge Exchange, Technology Transfer, ITS in Academics, and Media Library. Below the main navigation menu, the page shows various content of the website, including a graphic image of professionals seated in a room during a training program. A text overlay has the text Welcome to ITS Professional Capacity Building. Additional content on the page includes a box entitled What's New and sections entitled Available E-Training (free), Free ITS Training and T3 Webinars. Again, this image serves for illustration only. The current website link is: https://www.its.dot.gov/pcb)

ITS PCB Home

(Note: There is additional text attached to this slide that includes the following introductory information from Ken Leonard):

"ITS Standards can make your life easier. Your procurements will go more smoothly and you'll encourage competition, but only if you know how to write them into your specifications and test them. This module is one in a series that covers practical applications for acquiring and testing standards-based ITS systems.

I am Ken Leonard, director of the ITS Joint Program Office for USDOT and I want to welcome you to our newly redesigned ITS standards training program of which this module is a part. We are pleased to be working with our partner, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, to deliver this new approach to training that combines web based modules with instructor interaction to bring the latest in ITS learning to busy professionals like yourself.

This combined approach allows interested professionals to schedule training at your convenience, without the need to travel. After you complete this training, we hope that you will tell colleagues and customers about the latest ITS standards and encourage them to take advantage of the archived version of the webinars.

ITS Standards training is one of the first offerings of our updated Professional Capacity Training Program. Through the PCB program we prepare professionals to adopt proven and emerging ITS technologies that will make surface transportation safer, smarter and greener which improves livability for us all. You can find information on additional modules and training programs on our web site ITS PCB Home

Please help us make even more improvements to our training modules through the evaluation process. We look forward to hearing your comments. Thank you again for participating and we hope you find this module helpful."

Slide 3:

Slide 4:

A207a:

Building an ITS Infrastructure Based on the Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC) 5201 Standard Part 1 of 2

Slide 5:

Instructor

Ralph W. Boaz

President

Pillar Consulting, Inc.

San Diego, CA, USA

Slide 6:

Target Audience

• Engineering Staff
• Traffic Management Center (TMC)/operations staff
• Traffic Signal Maintenance Staff
• System Developers
• Software Developers
• Private and public sector users including manufacturers

Slide 7:

Recommended Prerequisite(s)

• I101: Using ITS Standards: An Overview
• A101: Introduction to Acquiring Standards-based ITS Systems
• A102: Introduction to User Needs Identification
• A201: Details On Acquiring Standards-based ITS Systems
• A202: Identifying and Writing User Needs When ITS Standards Do Not Have SEP Content
• A103: Introduction to ITS Standards Requirements Development

Slide 8:

Recommended Prerequisite(s) (cont.)

• A203 Writing Requirements When ITS Standards Do Not Have SEP Content
• C101: Introduction to the Communications Protocols and Their Uses in ITS Applications

Slide 9:

Curriculum Path (Non-SEP)

(Extended Text Description: This slide contains a graphic illustration indicating the sequence of training modules that lead up to this course. Each module is represented by a box with the name of the module in it and arrows showing the logical flow of the modules. There are 7 boxes in total; two rows of 3 boxes and a row with 1 box. The first box is labeled "I101 Using ITS Standards: An Overview." An arrow from this box connects it to a box labeled "A101 Introduction to Acquiring Standards-Based ITS Systems." An arrow from this box connects it to a box labeled "A102 Introduction to User Needs Identification." An arrow from this box connects it to a box located at the start of the next row labeled "A201 Details on Acquiring Standards-based ITS Systems." An arrow from this box connects it to a box labeled "A202 Identifying and Writing User Needs When ITS Standards Do Not Have SEP Content." An arrow from this box connects it to a box labeled "A103 Introduction to ITS Standards Requirements Development." An arrow from this box connects it to a box located at the start of the next row labeled "A203 Writing Requirements When ITS Standards Do Not Have SEP Content." An arrow from this box connects it to a box labeled "C101 Intro. To Comm. Protocols and Their Use in ITS Applications." An arrow from this box connects it to a box labeled "A207a Building an ITS Infrastructure Based on the ATC 5201 Standard Part 1 of 2." An arrow from this box connects it to a box located at the start of the next row labeled "A207b Building an ITS Infrastructure Based on the ATC 5201 Standard Part 2 of 2." The last two boxes are highlighted indicating that they represent the current and next module in the series.)

Slide 10:

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the purpose of the ATC family of standards
2. Identify the basic components and operation of transportation field cabinet systems
3. Identify the features of the ATC 5201 Standard
4. Describe the ATC 5201 architecture
5. Describe how the ATC 5201 Standard works with other ITS standards
6. Specify ATC equipment for system and equipment procurements

Slide 11:

Learning Objective #1 - Explain the Purpose of the ATC Family of Standards

• Identify uses for transportation controllers
• Evolution of transportation controllers
• Brief overview of ATC family of standards
• Clear up misstatements in the industry

Slide 12:

Learning Objective #1

Definition of a Transportation Controller

A transportation controller (a.k.a. controller, controller unit, traffic controller) is a field-hardened computational device that runs application program(s) as part of a transportation field cabinet system.

Slide 13:

Learning Objective #1

Some of the Uses for Transportation Controllers

• Traffic Signal Control / Traffic Management
• Ramp Metering
• Data Collection
• Transit / Light Rail Priority
• Emergency Management
• Lane Use
• Access Control
• Advanced Traveler Information Systems
• Connected Vehicle Applications
  • Safety, Eco-driving, Platoon Management

Slide 14:

Learning Objective #1

Controllers as a Part of a Transportation Field Cabinet System (TFCS) for Traffic Management

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Controllers as a Part of a Transportation Field Cabinet System (TFCS) for Traffic Management," contains a graphic illustrating the example application areas for a TFCS. There is an aluminum looking cabinet in the lower center of the slide. The cabinet has a door with a horizontal handle on the left side of the cabinet and two vent slots in the center top. The cabinet is about 2.5 times high as it is long. It is about 25% of the slide height. To the left, to the right and above the cabinet graphic are three rounded rectangles. There are double arrows between the cabinet and the rounded rectangles. The rounded rectangles are about 33% of the height and 25% of the width of the slide. The rounded rectangle to the left of the cabinet has the title "Intersection Control" at the inside top of the rounded rectangle. The remainder of the rounded rectangle is a graphic of a roadway intersection. The view of the intersection is such that two traffic signals are shown. The rounded rectangle above the cabinet has the title "Ramp Metering" at the inside top of the rounded rectangle. The remainder of the rounded rectangle is a graphic of freeway on-ramp. A freeway is depicted and a traffic signal with a sign "One Vehicle Per Green" is shown at the edge of the onramp. The rounded rectangle to the right of the cabinet has the title "Data Collection" at the inside top of the rounded rectangle. The remainder of the rounded rectangle is a graphic of a heavily congested roadway.)

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 15:

Learning Objective #1

Controllers as a Part of a Transportation Field Cabinet System (TFCS) for Traffic Management

(Extended Text Description: This slide is entitled "Controllers as a Part of a Transportation Field Cabinet System (TFCS) for Traffic Management." The intent of the slide is to illustrate that the cabinet contains various equipment and it is referred to as a TFCS. There are two large graphics. The leftmost graphic is a larger representation of the aluminum cabinet shown in Slide 14. Above it is the word "Housing." The rightmost graphic is an enlargement of the aluminum cabinet showing the contents of the cabinet. Inside the cabinet are five labeled cuboids that extend almost the width of the cabinet and evenly distributed vertically. The top cuboid is labeled "Controller." The other four are labeled "Other Equipment." There is a large left bracket between the cabinet graphic and the enlargement emphasizing that the right graphic represents the contents of the cabinet.)

Slide 16:

Learning Objective #1

Most NTCIP Center-to-Field Standards Refer to Devices Within or Partly Within a TFCS

(Extended Text Description: This slide is entitled "Most NTCIP Center-to-Field Standards Refer to Devices Within or Partly Within a TFCS." The intent of the slide is to illustrate that the TFCS plays a role in NTCIP center-to-field communications for numerous transportation field devices. There are three key elements of this graphic. In the middle is a slightly smaller version of the graphic found in Slide 14 of the inside of the TFCS. To the left of the TFCS is a computer workstation. The right of the TFCS are a group of various transportation field devices include a dynamic message sign (rectangular sign with panels inside it for housing lighting), a video detection camera (a cylindrical object longer than it is in diameter with a lens at the end of it), a microwave radar (somewhat rectangular object with screws around the edges), a dome camera (a cylindrical object shorter than it is in diameter, sitting vertically, with a bowl type of lens cover underneath it), and a common traffic signal head. There is a double arrow from the computer work station to the TFCS. On top of the double arrow is a label "NTCIP Communications." Below the label is a list of various standards as follows: "NTCIP 1202 ASC," "NTCIP 1203 DMS," "NTCIP 1204 ESS," "NTCIP 1205 CCTV," "NTCIP 1206 DCM," "NTCIP 1207 RMC," "NTCIP 1209 TSS," "NTCIP 1210 FMS," "NTCIP 1211 SCP," "NTICP 1213 ELMS." There is a large left bracket between the TFCS and the group of transportation field devices. )

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 17:

Learning Objective #1

Field Architectures for Performing Traffic Management

(Extended Text Description: This slide is entitled "Field Architectures for Performing Traffic Management." The majority of this slide is a graphic of 5x5 crisscrossing perpendicular lines representing a downtown "grid" of intersecting streets. The grid forms a 4x4 (rows and columns) representation of city blocks. In the bottom left side of each city block (except for the first block in the third row) is a TFCS (each TFCS is about 5% of the slide height). The leftmost TFCSs in row 3 and 4 have the abbreviation "FMS" above them (stands for Field Management Station). Left of the grid is a graphic of a building which represents a traffic management center (TMC). The TFCSs are associated to different field architectures. Dotted lines are used to represent communications.

1. The TFCSs in column 4 rows 1 and 2 have arrows pointing to them with a label to the right of the grid saying "Standalone TFCSs."
2. There are dotted lines between the TMC and TFCSs in column 1 rows 1 and 2. The TFCSs have arrows pointing to them with a label above the grid saying "TFCSs Under Central Control."
3. There are dotted lines between the four TFCSs in row 4 of the grid (note the leftmost is labeled FMS). This row of TFCSs has an arrow pointing to it with a label to the right of the grid saying "TFCSs in a Closed-Loop System."
4. There is a dotted line between TMC and TFCS (labeled FMS) column 2 rows 3. There are dotted lines between the three TFCSs in row 3 of the grid. This row of TFCSs has an arrow pointing to it with a label to the right of the grid saying "Hybrid – TFCSs in a Closed-Loop System and Under Central Control."
5. The four TFCSs in columns 1 and 2, rows 2 and 3, have dotted lines between them where each TFCS is connected to the other three. The TFCSs have an arrow pointing to them with a label above the grid saying "TFCSs in a Peer-to-Peer System."

)

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 18:

Learning Objective #1

Evolution of Transportation Controller Equipment

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Evolution of Transportation Controller Equipment," contains a horizontal arrow that stretches almost the entire width of the slide near the bottom. There are years listed beneath the timeline (not evenly spaced) as follows: "1940s," "1976," "1980s," "1992," "1998," and "2006." Above the timeline are labeled photographs of TFCSs of different shapes and sizes as follows:

1. Above the 1940s point in the time line is a picture of a TFCS that is about 3 ½ feet tall and 2 feet wide with the door open and out of view. It has a single shelf approximately 1/3 down from the top of the cabinet. On the shelf is a cuboid type taller than it is wide with a dial on it. Otherwise the internal back of the cabinet has an electrical panel with numerous wires attached to it. The label above this picture says "Electro-Mechanical."
2. Above the 1976 point in the time line is a picture of a TFCS that is about 4 feet tall and 2 ½ feet wide with the door open and out of view. It has two shelves approximately 1/3 and 2/3 down from the top of the cabinet. On the top shelf sit two cuboid electronic devices. On the middle shelf is a larger cuboid device about 1 ½ feet wide with four thick round cables attached to it. There is an additional smaller cable coming from the device. All 5 cables are attached and spaced equidistantly across the bottom portion of the device. The lower internal back area of the cabinet has an electrical panel with numerous wires attached to it. The label above this picture says "NEMA TS 1."
3. Above the 1980s point in the time line is a picture of a TFCS that is about 5 ½ feet tall and 2 feet wide with the door open and out of view. The interior of the cabinet contains a 19 inch wide standard electronic equipment rack. The side metal rails of the rack run along the left and right sides of the front of the cabinet interior. There are four sections of the equipment that extend edge to edge of the cabinet interior attaching to the side rails of the rack with screws. There are a few thin cables running between components. There is a piece of cardboard in over the left side of the upper section of the cabinet. The label above this picture says "Model 3XX."
4. Above the 1992 point in the time line is a picture of a TFCS that is about 4 ½ feet tall and 3 ½ feet wide with the door open and out of view. It has two shelves approximately 1/6 and 2/5 down from the top of the cabinet. On the top shelf sit two cuboid electronic devices that appear to be racks for holding other devices. On the middle shelf are two larger cuboid devices with one being about 1 ½ feet long and 1 foot high and the other about ½ feet wide and 1 foot tall. There are cables running between all of the devices. The lower remainder of the cabinet has various devices with lights on them that appear to be plugged into an electrical panel in the back of the cabinet interior. The label above this picture says "NEMA TS 2."
5. Above the 1998 point in the time line is a picture of a TFCS that is about 4 ½ feet tall and 3 ½ feet wide with the door open and out of view. It has two shelves approximately 1/6 and 2/5 down from the top of the cabinet. On the top shelf sit two cuboid electronic devices that appear to be racks for holding other devices. On the middle shelf are two larger cuboid devices with one being about 1 ½ feet long and 1 foot high and the other about ½ feet wide and 1 foot tall. There are cables running between all of the devices. The lower remainder of the cabinet has various devices with lights on them that appear to be plugged into an electrical panel in the back of the cabinet interior. The label above this picture says "TS 2 with NTCIP."
6. Above the 2002 point in the time line is a picture of a TFCS that is about 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide with the outer metal shell of the cabinet removed exposing the interior of the cabinet. The interior of the cabinet contains a 19 inch wide standard electronic equipment rack. The side metal rails of the rack run along the left and right sides of the front of the cabinet interior. There are five sections of the equipment that extend edge to edge of the cabinet interior attaching to the side rails of the rack with screws. There are a few thin cables running between components towards the bottom of the cabinet. The label above this picture says "ITS Cabinet."

)

Graphics and Photos: Ralph W. Boaz (Electromechanical and NEMA TS 1 excepted)

Slide 19:

Learning Objective #1

Evolution of Transportation Controller Equipment

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Evolution of Transportation Controller Equipment," contains the same graphic from Slide 18. There is a large rounded rectangle encompassing the NEMA TS 1, Model 3XX, NEMA TS 2, TS2 with NTCIP and ITS Cabinet pictures. The rounded rectangle is labeled "ATC Standards to Support All Legacy TFCS Architectures.")

Graphics and Photos: Ralph W. Boaz (Electromechanical and NEMA TS 1 excepted)

Slide 20:

Learning Objective #1

Purpose of the ATC Family of Standards

• Provide a general purpose field computing platform for transportation applications that is:
  • Open architecture
  • Modular
  • Multi-process / Multi-application
  • Can grow with technology
  • Upgrade legacy TFCSs

Slide 21:

Slide 22:

Learning Objective #1

Which of the following is NOT an application area that has been identified for ATC controller units?

Answer Choices

1. Emergency Management
2. Personal Computer Backup Systems
3. Traffic Signal Control / Traffic Management
4. Connected Vehicle Systems

Slide 23:

Learning Objective #1

Review of answers

a) Emergency Management
Incorrect. Emergency management has been identified as an application area supported by ATC controller units.

b) Personal Computer Backup Systems
Correct. There are more effective alternatives for backing up personal computers.

c) Traffic Signal Control / Traffic Management
Incorrect. ATC controller units are used to provide for traffic control and traffic management applications.

d) Connected Vehicle Systems
Incorrect. ATC controller units will be used to support CV applications especially in the areas of intersection safety.

Slide 24:

Learning Objective #1

New ATC Document Identification Scheme

• ATC 5201 Standard
  • Advanced Transportation Controller
• ATC 5202 Standard
  • Model 2070 Controller
• ATC 5301 Standard
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Roadside Cabinet
• ATC 5401 Standard
  • Application Programming Interface (API)

Slide 25:

Learning Objective #1

ATC Family of Standards

ATC 5201 Standard

• Transportation Controller
• Generally, a functional standard - non-specific size/shape
• Operates in any existing TFCS architecture
• Provides minimum computational power (60 MIPS) without limiting future advancements
• Provides external interfaces
• Uses Linux operating system
• Multi-process / Multi-application

Slide 26:

Learning Objective #1

ATC Family of Standards (cont.)

ATC 5202 Model 2070 Standard

• Transportation Controller
• Originally developed as a Model 170 controller replacement
• Prescriptive in size, shape, thumb screws, etc.
• Slide in modules for numerous options
• National Model 2070 Standard only has a selected set of the most common options
• Old CPU and operating system
  • Some agencies have added selected ATC 5201 concepts into their Model 2070 specifications

Slide 27:

Learning Objective #1

ATC Family of Standards (cont.)

ATC 5301 ITS Cabinet Standard

• Transportation Field Cabinet System (TFCS)
• Uses strengths from rack mount systems and serial cabinets
  • Rack mount assemblies secured in place
  • Serial cabinets have fewer wires and more capability
• Each assembly relocatable within the rack
• Higher speed serial communications bus
• Designed for ease of maintenance

Slide 28:

Learning Objective #1

ATC Family of Standards (cont.)

ATC 5401 Application Programming Interface (API) Standard

• Defines a software environment for both application programs and user interfaces for an ATC 5201 controller
• Allows application programs from different vendors to run concurrently on a controller
• Concurrent application programs share the input/output resources of the cabinet system
• Concurrent application programs share the front panel of the controller

Slide 29:

Learning Objective #1

ATC Standards and Status

Document Identifier	Abbreviated Title	Version	Date	Status
ATC 5201	Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC)	06	In Progress	User Comment Draft July 2012
	Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC)	05	Sept 2006	Published
ATC 5202	Model 2070 Controller	03	Dec 2012	Published
ATC 5301	ITS Roadside Cabinet	02	In Progress	Under Development
	ITS Roadside Cabinet	01	Nov 2006	Published
ATC 5401	Application Programming Interface (API)	02	Sept 2011	Published

Slide 30:

Learning Objective #1

Systems Engineering (SE) Content

Document Identifier	Abbreviated Title	Version	System Engineering (SE) Content
ATC 5201	Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC)	06	Update of v05. No formal SE process information. Standard development in progress.
	Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC)	05	Describes "Representative Usage" from a users perspective but no formal SE process information.
ATC 5202	Model 2070 Controller	03	No formal SE process information.
ATC 5301	ITS Roadside Cabinet	02	Using formal SE process and content. Standard development in progress.
	ITS Roadside Cabinet	01	No SE content.
ATC 5401	Application Programming Interface (API)	02	Developed using formal SE process and content.

Slide 31:

Learning Objective #1

Where to Find the ATC Standards

Document Identifier	Abbreviated Title	Version	URL
ATC 5201	Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC)	06	https://www.ite.org/tripgenappendices/
	Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC)	05	https://www.ite.org/tripgenappendices/
ATC 5202	Model 2070 Controller	03	http://www.ite.org/
ATC 5301	ITS Roadside Cabinet	02	http://www.ite.org
	ITS Roadside Cabinet	01	http://www.ite.org/
ATC 5401	Application Programming Interface (API)	02	http://www.ite.org

Slide 32:

Learning Objective #1

Clearing Up Misstatements

• All standards listed on the previous slide are a part of the family of ATC Standards
• "Engine Board" portion of the ATC 5.2b Standard has been used in some Model 2070 controller units
  • Special provisions are required, see Module A207b
• No current Model 2070 standard or specification fully conforms to ATC 5201 v06 or ATC 5.2b
• Get written confirmation that the product is ATC 5201 v06 or ATC 5.2b conformant

Slide 33:

Slide 34:

Learning Objective #1

Which of the following is not in the ATC family of standards?

Answer Choices

1. Application Programming Interface Standard
2. ITS Roadside Cabinet Standard
3. Model 170 Standard
4. Advanced Transportation Controller Standard

Slide 35:

Learning Objective #1

Review of answers

a) Application Programming Interface Standard
Incorrect. ATC 5401 allows application programs to share resources of the controller unit.

b) ITS Roadside Cabinet Standard
Incorrect. ATC 5301 design uses strengths from both rack mount and serial cabinets.

c) Model 170 Standard
Correct. Model 170 is not in the ATC family. It was a specification developed by the states of CA and NY.

d) Advanced Transportation Controller Standard
Incorrect. ATC 5201 provides a functional standard for a transportation controller that can grow with technology.

Slide 36:

Learning Objective #1

Specifying an ATC 5202 Model 2070 controller unit guarantees conformance with the ATC 5201 Standard

Answer Choices

1. True
2. False

Slide 37:

Learning Objective #1

Review of answers

a) True
Incorrect. There is currently no Model 2070 standard that is fully conformant with the ATC 5201 Standard.

b) False
Correct. Specifying a Model 2070 does not guarantee conformance. Users must make special provisions to conform to the ATC 5201 Standard if using a Model 2070 controller.

Slide 38:

Summary of Learning Objective #1

Explain the Purpose of the ATC Family of Standards

• Identify uses for Transportation Controllers
• Evolution of Transportation Controllers
• Brief overview of ATC family of standards
• Clear up misstatements in the industry

Slide 39:

Learning Objective #2 - Identify the Basic Components and Operation of Transportation Field Cabinet Systems

• Traffic terminology
• Basic transportation field cabinet components
• Differences in transportation field cabinet systems

Slide 40:

Learning Objective #2

Traffic Terminology

Detection Zone

• An area in which traffic parameters can be measured and/or traffic data can be generated

Vehicle Phase or Phase

• Any combination of traffic movements receiving right-of-way simultaneously during one or more intervals (green, yellow, red)

Slide 41:

Learning Objective #2

Traffic Terminology

Detection Zone

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Traffic Terminology," contains a graphic representation of a 4 way intersection. It is depicted as two two-lane roads intersecting perpendicularly North/South and East/West in the shape of a large cross that takes up almost the entire slide (it is assumed that the top of the slide is North). There is a centerline on each road to differentiate the northbound lane from the southbound lane and the eastbound lane from the westbound lane. The area where the roads cross (center of the cross) is blank (no lines running through it). In each lane representing the southbound, northbound, westbound, and eastbound approaches to the intersection, there are rectangles extending across the width of the lane (total four lanes). The rectangles have one edge at the point where the blank center area begins and extends back into the lane about 1 ½ times their width.)

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 42:

Learning Objective #2

Traffic Terminology

Vehicle Phases

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Traffic Terminology," contains a graphic representation of a 4 way intersection. It is depicted as two two-lane roads intersecting perpendicularly North/South and East/West in the shape of a large cross that takes up almost the entire slide (it is assumed that the top of the slide is North). There is a center median about the same width as the lanes on each road to differentiate the northbound lane from the southbound lane and the eastbound lane from the westbound lane. The area where the roads cross (center of the cross) is blank (no lines running through it). For each lane representing the southbound, northbound, westbound, and eastbound approaches to the intersection, the center medians narrow to provide a left turn lane for each approach (total 4). The straight through and left turn lanes on each approach are separated by a line. There is perpendicular line to the lane line defining the edge of the blank central area of the intersection. Each approach is identified as follows:

1. Southbound approach – The straight through lane has an arrow pointing southbound with label "Φ6" (a Greek letter phi and a 6). The left turn lane has a curved arrow starting in the south direction but then pointing eastward with label "Φ1."
2. Westbound approach – The straight through lane has an arrow pointing westbound with label "Φ8" (a Greek letter phi and an 8). The left turn lane has a curved arrow starting in the west direction but then pointing southward with label "Φ3."
3. Northbound approach – The straight through lane has an arrow pointing northbound with label "Φ2" (a Greek letter phi and a 2). The left turn lane has a curved arrow starting in the north direction but then pointing westward with label "Φ5."
4. Eastbound approach – The straight through lane has an arrow pointing eastbound with label "Φ4" (a Greek letter phi and a 4). The left turn lane has a curved arrow starting in the east direction but then pointing northward with label "Φ7."

)

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 43:

Learning Objective #2

Basic Transportation Field Cabinet System Components

(Extended Text Description: This slide is entitled "Basic Transportation Field Cabinet System Components." The intent of the slide is to illustrate that the cabinet contains various equipment. The graphics are similar to that of Slide 15. There are two large graphics. The leftmost graphic is the aluminum looking cabinet shown in Slide 15. Above it is the word "Housing." The rightmost graphic is an enlargement of the aluminum cabinet showing the contents of the cabinet. Inside the cabinet are six labeled cuboids that extend almost the width of the cabinet and evenly distributed vertically. Starting from the top the cuboids are labeled "Input," "Controller," "Outputs," "Monitoring," "Power Supply," and "Internal Bus." There is a large left bracket between the cabinet graphic and the enlargement emphasizing that the right graphic represents the contents of the cabinet.)

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 44:

Learning Objective #2

Inputs

• On/Off states of the detection zones reported through "detectors" housed in a "detector rack," "input assembly" or "input file"
• Many different sensing technologies used
  • Inductive loops
  • Video
  • Radar
  • Many others

Slide 45:

Learning Objective #2

Inputs (cont.)

(Extended Text Description: A picture of a TFCS that is about 4 ½ feet tall and 3 ½ feet wide with the door open and out of view. It has two shelves approximately 1/6 and 2/5 down from the top of the cabinet. On the top shelf sit two cuboid electronic assemblies that appear to be racks for holding for other devices. On the middle shelf are two larger cuboid devices with one being about 1 ½ feet long and 1 foot high and the other about ½ feet wide and 1 foot tall. The former is sitting in the middle of the shelf. The latter is sitting on the right of the shelf. The device sitting in the middle of the shelf has a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen and an assortment of keys to the right of the screen. The device on the right of the shelf has lights running down the left front side of the unit. There are cables running between all of the devices and assemblies. The lower remainder of the cabinet has numerous smaller devices with lights on them that appear to be plugged into an electrical panel in the back of the cabinet interior. The label below this picture says "NEMA TS 2 Cabinet." There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the electronic assemblies on the top shelf.)

NEMA TS 2 Cabinet

(Extended Text Description: A picture of a TFCS that is about 5 1/2 feet tall and 2 feet wide with the door open and out of view. The interior of the cabinet contains a 19 inch wide standard electronic equipment rack. The side metal rails of the rack run along the left and right sides of the front of the cabinet interior. There are six sections of equipment that extend edge to edge of the cabinet interior attaching to the side rails of the rack with screws. The top section is a single device about 4 inches tall with lights. The second section contains a large single device about 7 inches high. It has a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen and two key pads below the screen. The third section is an assembly of devices. There appears to be common light switches running from the left side to about 2/3 of the way across the assembly. There are three smaller and separate devices on the right 1/3 of the assembly about 2 inches wide each. Two of them are identical. The third device has a handle running down the middle of it. The forth section is an assembly about 10 ½ inches high and has two rows. The top row has 6 slender devices (about 1 inch wide) that appear to be plugged into the assembly. The right side each row of this assembly contains device that is about 2 inches wide. Most of this assembly appears empty. The fifth section is an assembly that has two rows. It contains fourteen smaller devices with lights on them about two inches wide. There are 6 on the top row and 8 on the lower row. There are two additional devices on the right side of the first row that look to be 3 inches wide. The sixth section appears to be storage and wiring. The label below this picture says "ITS Cabinet v01." There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the fourth section.)

ITS Cabinet v01

Photos: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 46:

Learning Objective #2

Controller

• Field hardened computer to run the traffic control application program
• Detection zones associated with phases within the controller
• Receives inputs from detectors
• Determines how to safely provide service to vehicles
• Sends field display states to load switches (switch packs) and signal monitor

Slide 47:

Learning Objective #2

Controller (cont.)

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Controller (cont.)," consists of the same pictures of TFCS architectures used in Slide 45. There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the device in the middle of the second shelf.)

NEMA TS 2 Cabinet

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Controller (cont.)," consists of the same pictures of TFCS architectures used in Slide 45. There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the second section of the cabinet.)

ITS Cabinet v01

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 48:

Learning Objective #2

Outputs

• Load switches (switch packs) receive the field display states (red, yellow and greens) from the controller
• Load switches control 110 VAC to the signal heads
• May be plugged directly into a "cabinet back panel," "load bay" or "terminal and facilities area"; or housed in an "output assembly" or "output file"

Slide 49:

Learning Objective #2

Outputs (cont.)

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Outputs (cont.)," consists of the same pictures of TFCS architectures used in Slide 45. There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the smaller devices in the lower part of the cabinet.)

NEMA TS 2 Cabinet

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Outputs (cont.)," consists of the same pictures of TFCS architectures used in Slide 45. There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the fifth section of the cabinet.)

ITS Cabinet v01

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 50:

Learning Objective #2

Monitoring (Signal Monitoring)

• Monitors outputs against a separate programmable device to insure that the combination of displays is allowable and safe
• Insures that the controller is operating
• Insures internal cabinet and output voltages are within allowable parameters
• Many additional features for more advanced monitors
• If problem detected, puts intersection into a flash condition
• Called a Malfunction Management Unit (MMU), Cabinet Monitor Unit (CMU), Conflict Monitor Unit (CMU), Signal Monitor Unit (SMU)

Slide 51:

Learning Objective #2

Monitoring

(Signal Monitoring) (cont.)

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Monitoring (Signal Monitoring) (cont.)," consists of the same pictures of TFCS architectures used in Slide 45. There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the device sitting on the right side of the second shelf of the cabinet.)

NEMA TS 2 Cabinet

(Extended Text Description: This slide, entitled "Monitoring (Signal Monitoring) (cont.)," consists of the same pictures of TFCS architectures used in Slide 45. There is a rounded rectangle graphic surrounding the rightmost device in the third section of the cabinet.)

ITS Cabinet v01

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 52:

Learning Objective #2

Basic Transportation Field Cabinet System Operation

(Extended Text Description: This slide is entitled "Basic Transportation Field Cabinet System Operation." On the upper right side of the slide is a smaller version of the graphic shown in Slide 41. This graphic is labeled "Field Sensors." In the lower right of the slide is a graphic of a traffic signal mast arm. On the mast are three traffic signal heads. This graphic is labeled "Field Displays." On the left side of the slide are four cuboids each the same size and about 5 times wider than their height or depth. They are evenly spaced and aligned with each other. They are labeled top to bottom "Inputs, Controller, Outputs and Monitoring." There are arrows showing the flow of information through the TFCS. There is an arrow extending out of the top of the Field Sensors graphic into the Inputs cuboid. There is an arrow extending out of the bottom of the of the Inputs cuboid to the Controller cuboid. There is an arrow extending out of the Controller cuboid to the Outputs cuboid. There is an arrow extending out of the Outputs cuboid to the Monitoring cuboid. There is a double arrow extending from the left side of the Monitoring cuboid back up to the left side of the Controller cuboid. This line has a label associated with via a dotted line. The label says "Controller/Monitor Communications Used in NEMA TS 2 and ITS Cabinets." There is a line extending from the ride side of the Outputs cuboid to the top of the Field Displays graphic.)

Graphics: Ralph W. Boaz

Slide 53:

Learning Objective #2

Differences in TFCSs

TFCS	Physical Mounting	Internal Bus	Signal Monitor	Input Channels	Monitored Output Channels
NEMA TS 1	Shelf	Parallel / Discrete Wiring	Conflict Monitor	8	3/6/12/18
Caltrans Model 33X	Rack	Parallel / Discrete Wiring	Conflict Monitor	44	16/18
NEMA TS 2	Shelf	Serial 153.6 kbps	Malfunction Management Unit	64	16
ITS Cabinet v01	Rack	Serial 614.4 kbps	Cabinet Monitor Unit	120	28

Slide 54:

Slide 55:

Learning Objective #2

Which element of a TFCS determines the sequence of traffic movements to provide service to a vehicle?

Answer Choices

1. Inputs
2. Controller
3. Outputs
4. Monitoring

Slide 56:

Learning Objective #2

Review of answers

a) Inputs
Incorrect. Inputs refer to detection zone information.

b) Controller
Correct. The controller runs the operational program, which includes the traffic signal software.

c) Outputs
Incorrect. Outputs refer to load switches, which provide power for the appropriate indications on the field displays.

d) Monitoring
Incorrect. Monitoring verifies that the state of the field displays do not present an unsafe condition.

Slide 57:

Summary of Learning Objective #2

Identify the Basic Components and Operation of Transportation Field Cabinet Systems

• Traffic terminology
• Basic transportation field cabinet components
• Differences in transportation field cabinet systems

Slide 58:

What We Have Learned

1. There are various standards and specifications for Transportation Field Cabinet Systems in use today.
2. The basic components of TFCSs are: Inputs, Controller, Outputs, and Monitoring.
3. The ATC 5201 Standard can be used to specify ATC controller units that can operate in any major TFCS.

Slide 59:

Resources

• Caltrans Transportation Electrical Equipment Specifications (TEES), March 12, 2009
• Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Standard Specification for Roadside Cabinets v01.02.17b
• NEMA Standards Publication TS 1-1989 Traffic Control Systems
• NEMA Standards Publication TS 2-2003 v02.06 Traffic Controller Assemblies with NTCIP Requirements
• ITS PCB Training
  ITS PCB Home

Slide 60:

Slide 61:

Next Course Module

A207b: Building an ITS infrastructure based on the ATC 5201 Standard Part 2 of 2

3. Identify the features of the ATC 5201 Standard
4. Describe the ATC 5201 Architecture
5. Describe how the ATC 5201 Standard works with other ITS standards
6. Specify ATC equipment for system and equipment procurements