Laboratory Overview

The purpose of this lab is to simulate a small urban and rural Traffic Management Center (TMC) and to serve as a comprehensive research center for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies.

Capability:
The TRAIL lab serves as a testbed for ITS technologies, Traffic Management Systems (TMS) communications, traffic management, traveler information, and incident response. Currently, the lab is deploying ITS technologies such as sensors and video surveillance cameras in heavily traveled corridors to gather data with the intention of enhancing safety. The lab provides an environment for ITS evaluation and workforce development, as well as a setting for local and state government agencies and transportation departments to observe the benefits of a TMC.

The physical lab is equipped with two fifty-inch, high-definition plasma monitors that display various types of data collected by sensors and video cameras. This laboratory assists communities with future growth plans by collecting and sharing data that can be used by various agencies to determine community needs and provide solutions to ongoing problems.

This laboratory will be used on projects to:

• Identify problematic winter road conditions;
• Collect and analyze data pertaining to vehicle speeds, counts, classifications, and pavement conditions;
• Evaluate ITS technologies and communications schemes; and
• Enhance workforce development.

Potential Partners:
State transportation departments
Local governments

Contact:
Suzanne Lassacher
suzannel@coe.montana.edu
Office: (406) 994-6010