Transportation Research Application and Instrumentation Laboratory (TRAIL lab)
Advanced transportation technologies offer new solutions to communities with mobility, congestion and planning concerns; however, local decision makers may not be aware of their potential benefits and applications.
Our Transportation Research Application and Instrumental Laboratory simulates a small urban and rural traffic management center (TMC) to help guide communities toward the best options for managing transportation systems, whether they’re dealing with daily traffic operations or congestion management related to a special occurrence such as a sporting event.
Recently, the TRAIL lab was used as part of a coordinated effort to help manage traffic for Montana State University home football games. (http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/research/4W1896.aspx) Traffic Management strategies employed included the use or data collection and video trailers, road closures, traffic signal timing, and other tools to streamline traffic and relieve congestion.
The lab also serves as a comprehensive research center for Intelligent Transportation System technologies (ITS), enabling researchers to evaluate ITS and cater to workforce development.
Capabilities:
The TRAIL laboratory serves as a test bed for ITS technologies, traffic management systems communications, traffic management, traveler information and incident response.
The TRAIL Lab:
- Displays data from sensors, data collection trailers, and video cameras on four fifty-inch high-definition plasma monitors
- Teaches communities about their transportation planning options
- Collects and shares data with various agencies to determine community needs and solutions
- Provides training for people in the transportation field
This laboratory can 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
- Assist with traffic management coordination for special events
- Provide assistance to local
- Enhance workforce development
- Deploy ITS technologies such as sensors and video surveillance cameras in heavily traveled corridors to gather data with the intention of enhancing safety
Project Examples:
Partners:
Contact:
Suzanne Lassacher (406) 994-6010
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