Video Monitoring at Intersections along City’s Main Traffic Corridors:
The existing Broadway Bridge has been classified by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) to be functionally obsolete and structurally deficient; therefore, the bridge is being replaced. Currently, closure and demolition of the existing Broadway Bridge is scheduled to begin May, 2016. The new bridge will reopen in November, 2016. This bridge will be closed for approximately six months.
Average daily traffic on the Broadway Bridge is approximately 25,000 vehicles. AHTD and MetroPlan estimate that approximately 12,500 vehicles that travel on the Broadway Bridge will transfer to the Main Street Bridge after the Broadway Bridge is closed. Currently, the Main Street Bridge carries approximately 12,500 vehicles per day. When the Broadway Bridges closes, the Main Street Bridge will carry approximately 25,000 vehicles per day.
At the end of 2013, the Mayor requested the Traffic Department to review plans for handling the increased traffic flows along Main Street due to the upcoming Broadway Bridge closure.
Question: Could the Traffic Department monitor/adjust signal intersection timings during peak traffic times, if needed, to help move traffic within the downtown area?
Answer: Yes, if you could view in real-time the Main Street, West and East Broadway Street, and Pike Avenue corridors.
Until this year, North Little Rock didn’t have the infrastructure to view in real-time our downtown traffic corridors. This was the start of the City’s Traffic Video Monitoring Program. To date, the Traffic Department can view most of the Main and Broadway Street corridors, and we’re working on establishing video along the Pike Avenue corridor. Steps taken to acquire video monitoring capabilities are as follows:
*Installed Comcast Business internet to allow for streaming of video.
*Installed two large monitors and a projector for viewing of the video and for training purposes.
*Purchased two new laptops to communicate with our Comcast Business System.
*Installed seven Siqura PTZ cameras along with four Axis digital encoders with Verizon modems for communication. This will allow us to communicate with the cameras and in some locations communicate with the traffic control cabinets.
*Purchased two solar systems to use with two of the PTZ cameras for areas where we can’t power.
*Installed new server for Police Department to view 10 camera feeds along major corridors.
*Purchased and installed server and Ocularis software at the Traffic Services building to easily monitor the camera feeds.
*Gained access and control to the camera on the Junction Bridge.
Another Corridor the Traffic Department is developing video monitoring capability is along the portion of Maumelle Blvd. in North Little Rock.