The city of Seattle in Washington will implement Siemens’ Concert integrated traffic management platform, which will connect both the company’s and other third-party systems across the city, including traffic control centers, intersection controllers, and parking guidance systems.
The Concert software platform will link all the city’s traffic planning and control systems so that Seattle can take better advantage of its existing road infrastructure, lessen the impact of major traffic incidents, better manage traffic around large events, such as football games, and reduce overall congestion.
The Concert platform will integrate Siemens’ Tactics traffic control system, as well as the city’s existing dynamic message sign (DMS) management system, the local travel time system, and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) freeway system. The software will consolidate data from these traffic platforms and other sources, such as weather reporting, existing road conditions, and traffic data on special events, such as concerts or sports events taking place in and around the city, into a central management platform.
With the insight provided by the new software platform, the City of Seattle will have a real-time, comprehensive view into traffic, as well as a powerful tool to better manage the transportation network as a whole. The resulting data collected by the Concert software will allow Seattle to quickly identify traffic-related incidents, determine the best response, and plan its traffic patterns more effectively. The extensive information will also be provided to operators, travelers, traffic control systems, and traffic planners, via dynamic maps, message signs and posts on the WSDOT website to optimize mobility and safety in Seattle, while decreasing environmental impacts of traffic. The Concert platform is currently operating at the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), and has been installed in several cities around the world, including Athens (Greece), Berlin (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Dubai (UAE).
As part of the deployment, Siemens has also named Seattle as a Center of Excellence for Intelligent Traffic Technology. Understanding the impact intelligent software can have on significantly improving a city’s transportation system, Siemens will provide Seattle with its latest innovative technology to help expand its smart traffic system infrastructure. As part of the partnership, Siemens will work in conjunction with local distributor Western Systems to implement the technology and showcase the system at Seattle Department of Transportation. The Center of Excellence extends the two companies’ long-term partnership with Seattle. Over the past 10 years, the city has relied on an installed base of Siemens intelligent traffic technologies, including advanced controllers across 300 intersections in the Seattle Central Business District, and the TACTICS traffic management software that manages and troubleshoots everyday disruptions proactively.
“Surrounded by water and mountains, Seattle’s narrow north to south geography creates unique and challenging traffic situations,” said Marcus Welz, president of Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems. “Our intelligent software platform will connect traditionally separate traffic systems in and around Seattle that will allow them better insight into their traffic flow, impact of accidents, and, ultimately, the ability to improve traffic, and quality of life for their residents and visitors.”
Scott Kubly, director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, commented, “We are committed to improving traffic operations in and around our downtown core through the use of advanced software and hardware, and we’re excited to work with Siemens as a technology partner to help advance this initiative. Technologies like the Siemens Concert software will help us use intelligence to reduce congestion and, ultimately, improve the driving experience for our citizens and visitors.”
