ADDCO SMART Work Zone
Project Name: Palm Beach County
Location: Florida
Project Type:
Project Date:
Deployment Length:
Long-term Lease
August 2002 through end of reconstruction project
8 years
End Customer:
Project Partners:
Florida DOT
PB Farradyne, Gray-Calhoun & Associates Inc., MasTec,
Radiant Systems Inc.
Problem Overview:
During the summer of 2001, Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) began rebuilding the Palm
Beach County I-95 corridor to make it safer, more efficient, and to provide better access. The estimated
date of completion of the construction project was originally planned for 2010. Throughout the largescale construction, Florida DOT has faced unique challenges in managing traffic flow through and around
the work zone. In order to combat the increased congestion, Florida DOT planned the development of an
Interim Traffic Management System (ITMS) to be operational near the start of the 8 year construction
period. The ITMS covers the length of I-95 as well as adjacent arterials from south Glades Road
N to north of Indiantown Road.
System Overview:
PB Farradyne served as the system manager responsible for planning and design under a contract with
Florida DOT. ADDCO was chosen as principal supplier of ITS devices used for the project due to its
ability to accommodate the short lead time as well as its leadership in traffic management devices,
communications expertise, and related technologies. PB Farradyne contracted MasTec to deploy and
maintain the ADDCO devices used throughout the project. ADDCO provided initial training to MasTec
as well customer service to Florida DOT and MasTec throughout the course of the project. The entire
system was deployed and functional along I-95 and nearby roads by August 2002, less than 7 months
after ADDCO was given its notice to proceed with the project.
The primary ITS deployment goals were to increase traffic management capabilities as well as inform
motorists of traffic routing, detours, and significant incidents. Florida DOT officials also sought to
minimize capacity restrictions created by traffic incidents through quick identification and deployment of
an appropriate and effective response.
The core of the ITMS is the Traffic Management Office (TMO). This office actively seeks traffic
incidents, confirms what has occurred, and coordinates an appropriate response to minimize motorist
delay. Information about incidents, including the problem, location, and effect, is communicated to
motorists via the electronic signs along I-95. Camera images, congestion updates, and overall project
information is located at the ITMS website www.palmbeachtraffic.org. The information is also
available over the radio or by dialing 511 from a land line or cell phone.
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ADDCO SMART Work Zone
Project Name: Palm Beach County
Location: Florida
System Procurement:
The overall cost of the project was spread over 8 years and covered planning, design, acquisition,
installation, operation, maintenance, evaluation, and public awareness. MasTec provided the ADDCO
equipment to Florida DOT through a long-term leasing agreement. The ITMS is sponsored by Florida
DOT-District 4 and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
System Functions & Details:
The Palm Beach County ITMS included the following ADDCO devices:
• 32 Smart Zone® Portable Traffic Management Systems
• 52 Portable Changeable Message Signs (DH1000 Solar ALS)
• 12 Repeater Pods
ADDCO Smart Zone® Portable Traffic Management Systems use advanced communication links to
connect different traffic management devices into a network to efficiently monitor and control traffic. Its
36’ retractable tower supports sensors, communications antennas, and a color CCTV video camera that
transmits real-time information to the TMC. The onboard Smart Zone controller incorporates a series of
processors that utilize advanced compression technology allowing the data to be sent directly to a remote
traffic management center.
The ADDCO DH1000 Solar ALS PCMS’ used for the Palm Beach County project were constructed with
the unique BRICK® product. As BRICKs were used in all Smart Zones and PCMS’ employed on the
project, MasTec was able to streamline spare part and maintenance practices by carrying parts and
technical knowledge for one product that would apply to every type of PCMS and Smart Zone deployed.
Additionally, the versatility of the ADDCO BRICK product and Smart Zone allowed integration into the
existing software system MIST® provided by PB Farradyne.
The standard communication method for ADDCO Smart Zones is a spread spectrum radio. As this
communication method relies on line of sight, valleys, mountains, and tall buildings can cause a break in
the network. The ADDCO repeater pods address this issue of line of sight. For example, two Smart
Zones with a mountain in the center can be connected to one another by placing a repeater pod at the top
of the mountain. Each Smart Zone then has a complete line of sight to the repeater pod and therefore can
communicate with the Smart Zone on the other side of the mountain.
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ADDCO SMART Work Zone
Project Name: Palm Beach County
Location: Florida
System Diagram:
The following diagram is the original proposed option for the wireless connectivity of the ADDCO Smart
Zones. This hybrid-star topology maximizes the bandwidth available for each of the wireless hops.
Smart Zones can be “daisy-chained” together into a bus topology. The existing fiber optic cabling may
not run to the base of ideal towers. In this case, a leased line can be used to provide connectivity from the
fiber cable to the tower.
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ADDCO SMART Work Zone
Project Name: Palm Beach County
Location: Florida
System Device Deployment:
The ADDCO Smart Zones are located at each of the Palm Beach County I-95 interchanges in both
directions. Real-time information from the Smart Zone CCTV cameras, as viewed by the TMO operators,
is transmitted to the outlying dynamic message signs in the form of variable messages. These messages
inform motorists of construction activity, potential delays, incidents, and general travel conditions.
Additionally, this information is disseminated to drivers through the project website, which can be viewed
before motorists even enter the freeway. The camera images and maps located on the website are
refreshed every 90 seconds.
The map below can be found on the website by clicking the link entitled “congestion map.” This map
displays the entire length of the I-95 reconstruction corridor with the current condition marked
appropriately with the corresponding color.
Project information and camera
images can be accessed at
www.palmbeachtraffic.org.
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ADDCO SMART Work Zone
Project Name: Palm Beach County
Location: Florida
System Benefits:
The Palm Beach County ITMS has allowed increased capabilities for agencies throughout the county.
One agency that has benefited from the Palm Beach ITMS is the Florida Incident Management Team. In
August of 2003, using the ITMS and the ADDCO devices, the Florida Incident Team posted the goal of
clearing accidents along the I-95 reconstruction corridor in less than 90 minutes. One objective of this
effort was to reduce secondary crashes which account for 33% of the accidents in the state of Florida. The
team also sought to decrease the time between the actual incident and the arrival of first responders. To
this end, officials redesigned markers for I-95 exit ramps. Through better marked exit ramps, drivers can
now more easily report the location of an accident, allowing DOT maintenance crews and other agencies
to be notified sooner as well as responsibilities more clearly assigned.
Interstate 95 has traditionally been known as the main artery of the east coast and also one of the busiest,
most deadly interstates in the country. Specifically, the Florida section of I-95 is known for the highest
number of deaths due to traffic accidents. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, local
commuters spend 43 hours a year in I-95 traffic. Traffic strategists have decided to concentrate on two
main objectives for relieving traffic flow along this interstate. These objectives include plans to seek
quicker and more effective ways to clear obstructions from the interstate as well as methods for
persuading drivers to stay away from I-95 through more accurate, prompt news about accidents,
construction, and rush-hour traffic jams. The Palm Beach County ITMS in conjunction with the ADDCO
ITS devices work to accomplish both of these objectives.
Project Contact:
Steve Corbin
Florida DOT
Steven.Corbin@dot.state.fl.us
954-777-4370
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ADDCO SMART Work Zone
Project Name: Palm Beach County
Location: Florida
I95 - North of Military Trail
Camera image of I-95 and
North Military Trail.
Pictures of each interchange
can be accessed through the
project website.
ALS DH1000 with
BRICK message board.
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