SSI FP 2000 PAVEMENT SENSOR

Literature suggests potential combined direct and indirect benefit to cost ratios of up to 11 to 1 resulting from installation of RWIS systems. This explains why the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton (RMOC) has implemented a Region-wide RWIS. Aside from the improved roadway safety provided to motorists and the reductions in environmental impacts, measurable reductions in roadway operating costs can be achieved. Given the current federal, provincial and municipal requirements to reduce winter maintenance costs, this technology presents some exciting opportunities for Maintenance Service Providers .

Our work on the deployment of the RMOC's RWIS has been favourably received by our client, system users, the involved agencies, including Environment Canada (EC) Ministry of Transportation, Ontario -MTO and outside organizations, including the system vendor, Surface Systems Inc.(SSI)

Based on statistics presented at the 1997- 4th International Symposium - Snow Removal and Ice Control Technology, the RMOC installation represented 25% of the Canadian RWIS deployment! The installation team for the RMOC project has more current installation experience than anyone else in Canada.

Equipment and hardware for the RMOC system was installed in November 1996, in time to provide information for the onset of the winter of 1996/1997. Final commissioning of the entire system was completed in January of 1997. The RMOC RWIS has become an integrated part of the Regions winter maintenance decision making starting in the winter of 1997/1998.

Commissioning of the system this year is quite impressive considering:

1. This is a strategically deployed, fully operational Decision Support System (DSS).

2. Study of the system began in February of 1996. Authority to commence system design was granted in August of 1996 and the contract with the System Vendor was awarded late in September.

3. The system involved innovative use and integration of Vendor (SSI) supplied RWIS equipment and software resulting in a cost effective system which leverages existing, non related infrastructure.

4. The system is being implemented, in this short time frame, for the same money which less than one year ago was budgeted for the study of RWIS.

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Installation of Sensor.

As examples of our reputation in this field, Our work on the Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) Business Case study, for Environment Canada, involved participation with the ministry's staff in the assessment of Environment Canada's potential role in the provision of RWIS services. Work involved review and documentation of a typical RWIS Architecture, conceptual level designs for an RWIS Outstation and development of cost estimates used for a provincial and national scale implementation model. In other instances we have been invited to submit proposals for a State Wide Deployment Program Road Weather Information System for one of the Northern US States and for New York City, we were requested to submit on their RFP for Thermal Mapping of the I 95.

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ScanCast Output

We are multi-disciplined Project Managers focused on implementation of Transportation Engineering Information Technology Solutions. Our Project Management skills have facilitated the RMOC deploying an effective RWIS with minimal effort on their part, in what can be best described as a virtual "turn key" type installation. We are able to meet and overcome the challenges of today's public sector financial constraints and do so with a minimal time commitment from the public sector staff.

Our services on the RMOC RWIS system included:

1. Needs Assessment;

2. Technology/ Systems review;

3. Coordination of Procurement:

1. Vendor pre qualification;

2. RFQ preparation;

3. Proposal Analysis;

4. Vendor Selection; and

5. Vendor/Client Purchase Agreement Development and Negotiation;

4. Development of detailed project Implementation work plans, schedules, and detailed cost estimates;

5. Justification and Approval report preparation for Committees and Council;

6. Functional and Preliminary deployment designs;

7. Systematic and Strategic location of Outstation sites for optimal system performance;

8. Alternative Funding and Cost Recovery Investigations;

9. Value Added Alternative Technology investigations and implementation;

10. Detailed System Design;

1. Configuration Development;

2. Integration of Vendor provided systems and components;

3. Site specific design for outstations and outside plant;

1. Field data acquisition;

2. Outstation site design;

3. Expediting approvals;

4. Coordination of power and communication installation;

5. Supervision for provision and installation of field equipment;

6. Contractor selection, coordination and support;

4. Client/ Server system configuration design;

11. Coordination of Specialized Meteorological (by Environment Canada) services and systems;

12. Coordination of Environment Canada/ Vendor/ Client negotiations, agreement development and provision of services;

13. Coordination for Communications systems;

14. User Interface mapping development;

15. Coordination of implementation and deployment with Vendor;

16. Supervision, direction and support for outstation, client user site and server system component installation and commissioning of the system using a combination of Vendor, Municipal and Contractor supplied forces;

17. Post implementation System Operations Support;

18. Technology transfer coordination and training;

19. Program development for compilation of thermal mapping data and feasibility review of thermal mapping models;

20. Development of a RWIS system performance review program;

21. Development, coordination and implementation of the geotechnical and pavement management monitoring module.

Other Road Maintenance services our firm can supply include:

1. Distribution and remarketing of road condition data and information;

2. Management Consulting for Information Technology based Winter Maintenance Business Process Reengineering ;

3. Consulting with respect to Privatization and Contracting out of Winter Maintenance services;

4. Decision support systems including Pavement Management, Maintenance Management and RWIS

5. GIS Roadway Infrastructure Application development and integration;

6. GPS monitoring , Remote Sensing, RWIS Data Warehousing, Data Mining.

We have experience working with the RWIS vendors to develop integrated systems which provide a competent, comprehensive, end user focused, decision support system, while at the same time being sensitive to the client's budget constraints. Our systems integration and deployment strategy has resulted in new and innovative uses for what is now becoming somewhat common place technology.

We have researched numerous systems and are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the systems. We selected and worked with the system vendor to leverage their technology and develop new uses for equipment that meet real client needs and concerns. We are focused on value adding to state of the art technology - who's ever it is.

We can bring to your team, hands on, direct experience in implementing a total solution RWIS decision support system.  

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