What We Are Doing

A fiber-optic based communications system incorporates the camera video, message signs, and vehicle detector data and transmits the data via roadside cabinets located at each equipment site to a central switching center for distribution to the operations centers. Wireless and cellular communications are in place to communicate to devices located outside the fiber network. The West Michigan TMC is connected to the City of Grand Rapids Traffic Safety Department and the Grand Rapids Fire & Police Dispatch Center, to facilitate area-wide traffic operations and incident management. The TMC provides traffic video access to the Michigan State Police District dispatch office and other local police departments.

The West Michigan TMC's video images and traffic data are available to the public online at MDOT's MiDrive site: http://www.michigan.gov/drive. MDOT also provides live video feeds of traffic surveillance cameras to local media outlets, as part of MDOT's effort to provide the public with current traffic conditions on Grand Rapids metropolitan area freeways.

In the summer of 2009, a vehicle detection system came online covering some of the core freeways in Grand Rapids (primarily US-131 and I-196). This system will provide traffic counts and speeds for the freeways to provide congestion, incident, and travel time information to the TMC.

ITS planning in the Region is coordinated with the local Metropolitan Planning Organizations. In the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the Grand Valley Metro Council maintains the ITS regional architecture and facilitates coordination of interagency planning efforts. An expansion of the area's ITS system, including state and local routes, is planned for 2009-2010. Also in 2009, traffic surveillance cameras and one dynamic message sign will be added in the Grand Haven area for traffic management on US-31.

For further information call 616-451-8448, or peplinskis@michigan.gov