Traffic management systems when truly integrated in a single system breed synergies which create better level of utilization, operational efficiencies and cost savings.
ITS projects that include hardware and software development and integration require additional systems engineering analyses.
The project success can be measured by the cost and schedule performance (overall time from inception of the system to its operational use) of the project and how well the implemented system solves the problems it was devised to solve, matches expectations and satisfies the end user’s needs. These can be achieved quickly if design and consultancy services are result of close cooperation between consultants and ultimate system supplier. Such approach automatically obtains the benefit of reducing the risk of schedule and cost overruns, better system documentation, shorter project cycle resilient systems without a need for major redesign, increased component reuse and more predictable outcomes.
One of the effective ways to fast track implementation of the systems is for end users to use consultants to in detail specify functional specifications of systems. However system suppliers (integrators) should be allowed to provide own detailed designs, selection of the subsystems and their suppliers as well as their own choice of components which do match and satisfy to the fullest the given functional specifications. This allows inclusion of already proven subsystem and equipment combinations based on system integrator’s experience.
Usually complete design and partial consultancy services are not obtained as a part of regular system inquiries where supplier’s (system integrator’s) detailed design is sought as a part of offers for any of traffic management systems.
Tailor made solutions based on required functional specifications can then be sourced from a one-stop-shop supplier like Telegra that provides complete integrated systems based on Telegra’s own core developed and manufactured state of the art hardware products and complete traffic system integration software platform topXviewTM. Such approach allows for maximal provision of optimized and proven solutions, requiring minimal, and therefore quick development, of new software and hardware solutions, which together with manufacturing and provision of all needed subsystems ensures that full functional requirements by the system are obtained in the shortest possible period after system employment.
One of the projects that present all the benefits from such approach is Ras Abu Aboud Tunnel in Doha, Qatar that links Wakrah Road and the Corniche which was supplied to the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) authority by Telegra and its partner Traffic Tech (Gulf).
Tunnel’s management system is equipped with advanced ITS components, providing real-time tunnel management including vehicle guidance, lane control, automatic incident detection, speed enforcement and an automated system to manage incidents, emergency and special traffic situation events.
In this project end user has written together with their traffic consultants the functional specifications based on which a supplier, joint venture made of Traffic Tech and Telegra, was selected to offer both complete ITS system implementation and the system design. The advantage of this approach was that a system that fully satisfies all end users requirements and specifications was designed, supplied, installed and placed into operation in a period of 6 months only without the sacrifice of the detailed system design scrutiny by the end user employed independent consultant, something which in the more traditional approach very often takes a minimum of 2 years, with often doubtful results as the system integrator’s face major problems to successfully integrate on separate tenders selected subsystems.
