METRO DATA PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
VicRoads Data Collection Program Objectives
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Investigate seasonality of vehicle travel across the metropolitan network
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Measure growth of the network
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Initiate strategies based on data collected
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Expand the Metropolitan Traffic data collection program including provision for
additional strategic routes to be added to the network.
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Maintain Metropolitan Traffic Classification equipment, including in-road loop
sensors across all lanes as per the schedule of listed stations.
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Ensure operational availability and performance of the Melbourne Metropolitan
Traffic Data collection network.
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Ensure the integrity and quality of the data being collected.
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Identify a forward program of necessary maintenance work that will ensure the
long term network operational and communications availability.
OVERVIEW
In the Melbourne metropolitan area, VicRoads has a number of monitored loop
classification stations and manual classification sites on key arterials and freeways, since
1988.
These permanent stations are used to determine traffic volumes for both total vehicles
and trucks on metropolitan strategic routes. The classification data is further categorized
by groups, namely cars, rigid trucks, semi trailers and longer vehicles (B-doubles).
A Traffic Data Station is comprised of an aluminium cabinet located either within the
road reserve or within the central median, adjacent to the trafficable lanes. Adjacent to
the cabinet is a pair of inductive loops which are embedded into each lane of the road
pavement surface, in order to monitor the traffic travelling in each direction.
The inductive loops are progressively connected to a portable traffic classifier equipment
and set-up for a two week survey.
The classifier logger operates on back-up batteries and records the metallic length of
each vehicle at highway speed. The logger converts the electrical impulses from the
loops into numbers of vehicles by length and speed for each 15 minute interval of the
day by direction and by lane.
The stations are equipped with portable equipment to operate periodically, 24 hours a
day, for either a one or two week survey, per financial year, and collect the following
information:
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Hourly traffic volumes by VicRoads vehicle length classification (cars, rigid
trucks, articulated trucks, B-doubles).
Average vehicle speed
The Metropolitan Traffic Data “Loop” network currently consists of 92 permanent traffic
classification stations (115 roadside cabinets), which are strategically located on the
VicRoads Melbourne metropolitan declared road network.
Currently, the operational availability of the network is 92%, with 80 Active Sites. (refer
Site List below).
VicRoads currently has a fleet of battery operated automatic vehicle classification
equipment which are rotated in and out of these stations following the completion of the
2 week survey.
The cabinets are located in the metropolitan area along major arterial roads including
Highways and Freeways, and are subjected to climatic and environmental changes that
can affect the operation of the equipment.
Cabinets are not IP rated or insulated which means the equipment will be subject to
variations in temperature, moisture and insect infestation.
The loop station operational availability is periodically affected by roadworks that
requires the reinstatement of the inductive loops and associated re-cabling.
Approximately, 10% of the network is affected by roadworks in any given year.
The maintenance of the Metro Loop network is critical to ensuring the timely collection
and the quality assurance of traffic data prior to loading into the Corporate
"Traffic_Stats" database.
The maintenance program incorporates the tracking of the equipment’s operational
status, performing volume/classification verification and calibration tests. Routine
maintenance inspections (at least 1 per year) are carried out to optimise the
performance of the network and preventative measures are taken to compensate for
wear and tear. i.e. crack sealing of loops.
The maintenance of the Metro Loop station network infrastructure, requires a dedicated
maintenance program to ensure the network is in a state of continuous and effective
operational availability, prior to installing portable survey equipment.
The program includes performing on-site visual observation testing, inspections/fault
monitoring and general equipment/sensor maintenance, in order to deliver continuous
traffic volume and classification data on the Metro Loop network.
DRAFT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - MANDATORY CRITERIA
In order for a product to be considered “fit for purpose” it must meet the mandatory criteria listed.
The Service Provider is required to specify the device type best suited for this application.
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Technology must, detect, count and classify and measure speed of only “true
positive” all vehicular traffic events (including motorcycles), estimation algorithms
are not permitted to be used to count or classify vehicle events.
Technology must be able to resolve straddling vehicle events, to achieve the
mandatory performance and accuracy criteria mentioned below for the mix of
traffic located on major arterial and freeways.
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Equipment must be IP rated and vermin proof (at least IP65)
All the input and output ports, including cable connectors plugs and sockets, shall
be manufactured to Mil-Spec requirement, and high quality precision. Connectors
shall facilitate true and positive connection every time they are plugged in. As a
guide, VicRoads existing counting equipment uses a three start thread with 1 to 3
locating lugs.
Sufficient "Internal" battery life and memory to conduct a 2 week survey
connected to sensors monitoring up to 12 lanes of traffic
Logger able to be configured to Calculate & Record Classification and Speed
matrix (Interval Surveys). Special Consideration may be given to VBV event
loggers.
(Preference will be given to equipment capable of recording Interval Surveys as
well as VBV individual records)
The VBV component of the Logger shall have sufficient Memory storage capacity
to record a minimum of 10 Million VBV events at high volume Freeway sites,
monitoring up to 12 lanes of traffic.
To avoid a network of hybrid technologies, the proposed network of
Intrusive/Non-Intrusive data acquisition technology must be homogeneous across
the Metropolitan Traffic data collection network. As a guide VicRoads currently
uses a fleet of automatic vehicle classification equipment which is either a 4 lane
8 channel logger (arterial roads), or 8 lane 16 channel logger (freeways).
Note: Two or more loggers may be required to co-exist inside cabinets when
monitoring 6 -8 lanes of Highway/Freeway traffic. The Service Provider must
demonstrate that any possible Multi-Plexing (EMF) affects between the two
electronic logger units have been resolved or neutralised prior to commencing a
survey. If the network of Traffic Data stations were placed on VPN modem
network, rack mounted loggers to suit lane configuration may be adopted.
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Real-Time View of traffic to verify what you see is what is being recorded into
logger memory shall be provided, via both Telemetry and direct lap-top
connection to the Classifier. The Service Provider shall supply VicRoads with
logger communications software that shall have the ability to display the actual
Real-Time recording of every vehicle by individual channels, i.e. as a vehicle
event is detected by the in-road or non-intrusive sensor, the operator must be
able to physically observe on the logger’s LCD and/or connected PC screen: lane
number, classification, speed and the accumulated count for this same
classification.
The accumulated tally count for all traffic in all lanes and accumulated tally count
for all traffic in individual lanes must be readily available in order to verify
equipment is recording correctly prior to commencing survey as this is critical in
order for scheduled MO counts to proceed.
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Loop based In-road Sensors shall have a resolution < or = 5 milliseconds
Loop technology Sensitivity and adjustment:- Each channel of the Classifier (each
loop pair) shall have separate sensitivity adjustment regarding loop length and
separation.
Each channel of the Classifier (preferably each loop) shall have the facility
whereby the sensitivity can be adjusted with regards to the loop signal strength.
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Minimum 5 year design life of “intrusive” “non-intrusive” detector sensors
Classifier equipment using in-road sensors shall also be equipped with lightning
suppression and dissipation circuitry, which will isolate and protect the firmware
and hardware from surge damage.
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Loop based technology shall have the ability to invoke a Vehicle Signature
Algorithm function that will enable the chassis height to be determined, hence
able to distinguish buses from Rigid trucks, cars towing trailers from Rigid trucks,
Buses and Vans from Rigid trucks. (i.e. a truncated AustRoads class scheme)
Loop based technology must be able to handle long Loop Feeder Cables at least
250m
Type Approval and 3rd party endorsement of Proven and Mature Equipment.
Only tried and proven 3rd Party certified technologies accepted (Note: At
VicRoads’ discretion, special consideration may be given to experimental
equipment, only if it exceeds cost benefit and performance criteria)
SERVICE DELIVERY - MANDATORY CRITERIA
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Provider to develop and supply to VicRoads a Data validation Tool similar to the
Excel Tool currently used by VicRoads field staff to validate data prior to delivery.
Type approval trials shall be conducted over two 2 hour Peak hour manual count
surveys, at sites which are affected by queuing
1 month technology trial prior to awarding contract – Demonstrating ability to
resolve Straddling & Concatenation at congested test site, as well as
demonstrating mandatory performance criteria has been met.
Service Provider responsible for chasing up and managing Loop reinstatement
costs with VicRoads Regions should existing infrastructure of “in-road” Loop
detector network is adopted
Service Provider to supply VicRoads with Schedules of surveys (Gantt Chart) so
that spot Audits can be performed and in order to synchronise MO counts
Surveys are to be scheduled evenly across the VicRoads recommended collection
period and not all done in the 1st semester or 2nd semester of the year.
Service Provider responsible for re-scheduling synchronised MO counts (with
VicRoads 3rd party observational survey contractor) and confirm changes to
VicRoads, where surveys do not proceed within scheduled 2 week survey time
frame. Re-scheduling surveys must be kept at a minimum, approved by
VicRoads, and only be attributable to unforeseen circumstances outside the
Service Provider’s control such as roadworks damaging in-road sensors.
The Service Provider shall be required to attend fault call-outs issued by VicRoads
and based on VicRoads and/or the Service Provider having identified data quality
or system fault issues. Should these faults occur during the two week survey
period (in which MO counts are being conducted), the survey and MO count shall
be repeated and MO count rescheduled, respectively, at the Service Provider’s
cost; within 1 month, Non-Holiday survey period, within financial year, capped off
at no more than 5 per year, and conducted within achievable time frame and lead
time.
Service Provider will be required to provide VicRoads with a schedule of rates
costing for additional surveys (Variations) at existing or new proposed sites,
based on a fixed Rate agreed to in the contract.
Communications/feedback - Service Provider needs to be contactable within 48
hours, attend monthly progress meetings and be issued with and respond to fault
attendance call-outs.
“Sign Off” Maintenance reports to be provided 4 to 6 weeks in advance of
commencement of survey
As a minimum, the Service Provider is required to store and transmit 2 week
vehicle classification surveys, that were continuously collected over twenty-four
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(24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week (including transition across to leap
years), and transferred to VicRoads “Back Office” via SFTP, on a weekly basis, for
the entire life of the contract
Able to provide continuous total counts at minimum (15) minute interval
Product visibility must have least attraction to vandalism
Equipment and Communications Intellectual Property (IP) shall be retained by
VicRoads as part of the contract deliverables
Vendors of equipment and data collectors are required to ensure that the raw
traffic data file format has been certified as compatible with the current version of
VicRoads Traffic Information System
Equipment meets Australian Customer Electronics CE approval
Service Provider must ensure Equipment is kept in calibration check in
accordance with ISO9000 Calibration schedule
Firmware Version Control – Service Provider is responsible for using the same
firmware at each site. VicRoads is required to be notified prior to any parameter
changes or upgrades made to equipment firmware over the duration of the
contract. The Service Provider is required to record changes within the VicRoads
REMEDY Change Control & RAI (Road Asset Inventory) Type Approval system.
VicRoads informed when equipment swapped out if permanent equipment
recording continuous data is installed.
Individual Lanes in each direction Monitored concurrently at each Metro Traffic
Data station site
Technology is required to be technically supported and serviced locally.
Contractor to have sufficient spare Loggers to service the network if an in-station
Logger requires servicing or repair.
Equipment to be bar-coded so that Logger can be associated with data.
Contractor to provide List of barcodes to VicRoads
Service Provider to supply Binary file raw data as well as data in TIS format
Service Provider to supply conversion software Binary to ASCii, including "Meta
Data"
Service Provider to supply keys to Binary code + Processed & Validated data
Service Provider to supply equipment & software operational manuals
Service Provider to supply equipment System’s Diagnostic software
Data delivered no later than Friday morning of the following week survey
conducted
MANDATORY PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
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Count and classification accuracy levels are to be maintained at or greater than
95%, at all times, especially during peak hour periods 7AM to 10AM and 4PM to
7PM (subjected to penalty clauses and confirmed by 3rd party verification counts).
Note: VicRoads will arrange verification counts of each site via a third party
contractor to ensure data quality is not compromised. VicRoads will provide
feedback of the results to the successful Service Provider. VicRoads may elect to
terminate the contract at any time, if the initial contract requirements are not
fulfilled or if the performance requirements are not met. Failing the above, (at the
Service Provider’s own cost) will be required to remove all equipment and make
site good.
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For Loop based and vehicle length based technology the Traffic Classifier logger
shall have the following programmable minimum Interval Survey classifications
bins for:
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b.
c.
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e.
f.
Speed - 12 speed bins.
Length - 13 length bins.
Gap - 12 gap bins.
Headway - 12 Headway bins.
Matrix Classification of speed by axle
Matrix Classification of speed by length
The Traffic Classifier shall allow the user to program individual classification bins
or a combination of classification bins. The programming must be able to be
carried out remotely, i.e. via modem connection or by direct cable connection.
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The Minimum length bin break points (for Vehicle Length intrusive/non-intrusive
based technologies), Four (4) length bin configuration shall be (Cars- Rigids Semis & B-Doubles)
Bin Length break points as follows:
Cars
(50 – 600cm)
Rigid Trucks (600 – 1350)
Semis
(1350 – 2100)
B-Doubles
(1350 – 2700)
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Traffic Volume Accuracy Tolerance: +/- 1%
Speed measurement: at 60km/h +/- 1km/h at 100km/h +/- 3 km/h
Truck length measurement:
- at 60km/h +/- 1.8m
- at 100km/h +/- 2.45m
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>95% Classification accuracy (90% Confidence)
>95% Speed accuracy (90% Confidence)
>95% of network collected in one year
At 95% Confidence limits, the technology shall have a False Positive accuracy
rate for detection and classification less than 5% across all lanes, during Peak
periods of traffic across all lanes i.e. the proportion of vehicular traffic incorrectly
detected and classified.
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Turnaround time on attending and resolving faults is 4 days
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Quality and integrity of data output in accordance with VicRoads TIS format (refer
to attachment)
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Availability Performance KPI’s measured by Service Provider and reported to
VicRoads at monthly progress meetings or as required.
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Equipment maintains its performance under all weather, temperature, light and
environmental conditions.
Annual routine maintenance contract requires two (seasonal site visits) at least 6
months apart from the last, to replace ant and rat bates, as well as check
equipment/sensor operation
Photographs of Loop Pit terminations are to be provided before-during-after
repair or new installation
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DESIRABLE CRITERIA
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VBV records must contain Vendor codes and include an Error Bin
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Low power consumption Back-Up Battery (at least 6 month battery life before
swapping out) may be required for 2 week survey
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Able to be connected to and be powered by Solar panels
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Able to be connected to Next3G and VicRoads “TraffDat” VPN (Managed IPWAN
Service) network via modem device allowing remote access and data retrieval.
Special Note: The equipment is not permitted to communicate to NonVicRoads (Proprietary) servers that are managed outside the VicRoads
network environment.
(VicRoads shall supply successful Service Provider with sufficient “Traffdat”
Next3G VPN SIMs to cover the network of Metro Traffic Data stations)
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Vendors of equipment and data collectors are required to be part of the Industry
Support Program to ensure that the auto-polling scripts have been certified as
compatible with the version of Transmetric Traffic Server operated by VicRoads
http://transmetric.com/wp/industry-support-program
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The Service Provider must provide VicRoads with auto-polling download scripts,
and META data details to enable the automated download from the Bike stations,
so that VicRoads can automate processes and keep track of the Metropolitan
Traffic Data network operational availability.
PRICING OPTIONS
The Service Provider is encouraged to submit separate pricing models based on the
following suggested device type and criteria:
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Option 1. Service Provider maintains existing fleet of VicRoads Golden River
(battery operated) non-Telemetry classification equipment. Data transferred via
VicRoads SFTP account no later than Friday morning of the following week survey
conducted.
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Option 2. Service Provider utilises existing cabinet infrastructure to house new
equipment, with option to connect to solar power and install new sensors, thus
minimising infrastructure cost and roadside furniture.
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Option 3. Service Provider manages, maintains and operates a network of totally
new “Intrusive” or “Non-Intrusive” technology and infrastructure (in close
proximity to existing site), powered by either Solar or Long-Life batteries
(minimum 6 month battery life) and Next3G connection to VicRoads “Back
Office”, collecting and transferring data on a weekly basis.
EQUIPMENT & SYSTEM HANDOVER
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Prior to network implementation and upon request, during the course of the contract, the
Service Provider is required to handover an inventory of all equipment site specific
parameters, block diagrams and equipment settings, as well as all operational work
instructions, manuals associated diagnostics and communications software and routine
maintenance history. Enabling transparent hand over to prospective future contractors
and/or VicRoads
EQUIPMENT OWNERSHIP OPTIONS
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Service Provider owns and manages the network of Traffic Classification equipment,
including spares where VicRoads purchases the network data only
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VicRoads leases equipment from Service Provider, and does not own at end of a 5 year
contract period
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Alternatively, VicRoads leases from Service Provider and owns after a 5 year period
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VicRoads owns equipment outright and Service Provider manages, operates, maintains
network of Traffic Classification stations, including communications and data transfer