Overview
Background
This project involved the installation or use of existing in-vehicle units for 200 Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) vehicles that could send real-time digital alerts to motorists over third-party platforms (e.g., Waze) as well as through connected vehicle applications, when responders and roadway crews are on scene and en route. This effort aligns with the 2021-2025 MDOT SHA Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Implementation Plan and general TSMO Plan strategies.
The need for such technology is supported by multiple factors. In the first four months of 2021 alone, TSMO contractors experienced three vehicle hits to their truck-mounted attenuators while on the shoulder. In April 2021, a signal truck unit was struck and the driver severely injured while performing normal work duties at an intersection. On average,MDOT SHA vehicles are hit at a rate of about one per month. When MDOT SHA piloted this technology, the public did recognize its presence through these third-party applications, and no vehicles were struck.
This technology is expected to help the public know ahead of time that emergency responder vehicles are on scene, allowing them more time to shift out of their lane and keep space between themselves and staff operating in the field. The goal is to have little to zero vehicle impacts for the vehicle equipped with this technology as a preventive mechanism.
TSMO Planning, Strategies and Deployment
This project met the necessary criteria to be part of Maryland’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Implementation Plan for State Fiscal Year 2022 as the technology to e deployed under the project is expected to help the public know ahead of time that emergency responder vehicles are on scene, thereby potentially saving lives and reducing serious injury crashes. MDOT SHA coordinated with the relevant stakeholders to identify the functional requirements, establish the project goals, and determine potential solutions, in compliance with the Systems Engineering (SE) process. It should be noted that the State was seeking a solution that did not require significant funding or significant modifications to their existing vehicles, particularly since most of the agency’s vehicles already had Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology installed. Through the procurement process,MDOT SHA selected a vendor, and MDOT SHA staff were responsible for the installation of the technology on the vehicles.
Communications Planning and Execution
MDOT SHA initially identified its Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) Program’s Response Vehicles as they are registered “emergency vehicles” and would be in operation most often on the roadside/roadway. This then led to collaboration with various MDOT SHA offices and Districts to identify other vehicles and positions that would benefit from the technology (e.g., attenuator trucks, stake body/ Management of Traffic (MOT) trucks, and team leader pick-up trucks). It should also be noted that due to theCHART Program’s ability to leverage its existing AVL system, which was compatible with HAAS, MDOT SHA was able to expand the number of vehicles to be placed on the system.Once the initial installations had been completed (totaling 108 vehicles), MDOT SHA’s Office of Transportation Mobility and Operations (OTMO) coordinated with its Office ofCommunications to prepare a notice about the deployment of this technology for the benefit of the traveling public in Maryland.
Outcome, Learnings and Public Benefit
This project involved the installation or use of existing in-vehicle units for 200 MDOT SHA vehicles that could send real-time digital alerts to motorists over third-party platforms (e.g.,Waze) as well as through connected vehicle applications, when responders and roadway crews are on scene and en route. This technology is expected to help the public know ahead of time that emergency responder vehicles are on scene, allowing them more time to shift out of their lane and keep space between themselves and staff operating in the field. The goal is to have little to zero vehicle impacts for the vehicle equipped with this technology as a preventive mechanism. When MDOT SHA piloted this technology, the public did recognize its presence through these third-party applications, and no vehicles were struck. Since this project was deployed recently, there has not been enough time to conduct a formal and rigorous analysis of its success. However, anecdotal data indicate that this project is already successful. Moreover, it expands upon one of MDOT SHA’s major services areas, which is to provide Maryland’s travelers with timely and reliable traveler information, enabling them to remain alert of roadway conditions as well as enhancing safety by reducing primary and secondary incidents.