Operational Concept

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Sponsor:
Maryland State Highway Administration
Intelligent Transportation Systems Division
7491 Connelley Drive
Hanover, Maryland

July 2005

Introduction

This proof-of-concept (POC) project will examine the utility of capturing and distributing on-scene imagery to towing and recovery providers, HAZMAT remediation contractors, and other follow-on response organizations in real time. Service providers need this information to correctly size and configure their response to the scene, which may be launched from a considerable distance. Such imagery may, for example, contain detailed pictorial information about disabled vehicles, spilled cargo, spills, and other situations. Follow-on responders are typically called upon to provide services after the incident has been stabilized, with the major risks controlled and contained by emergency response organizations (law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency medical services). Their services are still critical to clearing a traffic incident; facilitating their response shortens the duration of the incident, and reduces traffic congestion.

This POC will demonstrate the capability to capture and transmit imagery with equipment such as commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) cellular telephone cameras. The purpose is to facilitate the response of follow-on resources to incidents. This POC has two key demonstration objectives:

The first is to capture and transmit traffic incident scene imagery with low cost, COTS handheld equipment and corresponding wireless services.
The second objective is to deliver those images to follow-on response agencies via low-cost COTS options and determine the value of the images to those responders. The evaluation service will be performed under a separate contract.

Operational Concept Summary

The overall flow of the operational concept for this POC is as depicted in Figure 1. At some point during an incident, on-scene responders may decide that they require additional assistance from other response organizations not yet on the scene, such as towing and recovery companies, hazmat remediation companies, highway repair crews, etc. For the purpose of the POC, the following agencies will participate in the role of on-scene responders:

Virginia Department of Transportation, Northern Virginia District
Virginia State Police, Division 7

In the event that a Trooper on scene determines that, for example, a wrecker is needed and notifies dispatch to send the needed resources, the Trooper will capture and send imagery of the situation to a predetermined group. The Trooper may, after collaborating with an on scene VDOT Safety Service Patrol (SSP) operator, task VDOT with capturing and sending on-scene imagery.

Figure 1 - High Level Operational Concept Flow Diagram

Figure 1 - High Level Operational Concept Flow Diagram

The capturing and sending of on scene imagery will be kept as simple as possible and will be similar to the process depicted in figure 2. The goal of this concept system is for the field user to be able to take a picture, compose a message, and begin the appropriate distribution process for that message in 1 minute or less.

Figure 2 - Generic Picture Phone Usage Flow Diagram

Figure 2 - Generic Picture Phone Usage Flow Diagram

The predetermined group that will receive the images sent from the scene will include, at a minimum:

VSP Division 7 Dispatch
VDOT Smart Traffic Center (STC) Operators
Tow / HAZMAT Remediation
- Redmen’s: dispatch and individual tow operator(s)
- Henry’s: dispatch
- Willow Springs: dispatch

Others may be added to this group for the purposes of evaluation and related proof-of-concept analysis.

Note: While scene images will be sent directly to the participating towers, they will NOT respond unless requested to do so by VSP Division 7 dispatch per standard operating procedures.

After receiving a request to dispatch resources, the responding tow / HAZMAT remediation company may use his or her phone to contact the sender at the scene to request additional photos that might assist in determining the appropriate level of required resources. VDOT STC operators may forward images to other internal departments or external agencies that they believe may benefit from having scene images for secondary response support. Table 1 indicates the estimated # of devices needed for the POC.

Table 1 – User/Device Association

Description	#Devices	Notes
VSP Area 9: 5 Troopers 3 Shift Supervisors	8	Patrol responsibility for I-66 from intersection with I-495 to Fairfax/Prince William County line and for I-495 from intersection with I-95 to MD State line.
VSP Area 45: 5 Troopers 3 Shift Supervisors	8	Patrol responsibility for I-395 inside Capital Beltway to DC line; I-66 from I-495 to DC line; and Dulles Toll Rd from I-66 to Fairfax/Loudoun County line.
VSP Area 48: 5 Troopers 3 Shift Supervisors	8	Patrol responsibility for I-95 from Prince William/Fairfax County line to MD State line.
VSP Division 7 Dispatch	5	Internet access and external email services do not exist at dispatch terminals within this facility. Commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) might be required to provide temporary connectivity for the desktop systems. Possible limited CMRS signal coverage at terminal locations.
VDOT SSP	-	VDOT SSP Operators currently use Motorola i860 picture phones with Nextel service
VDOT STC	5	VDOT STC has internet access and email services, but the workstations used by operators may not. Some VDOT STC personnel currently use Motorola i860 picture phones with Nextel service. Other STC personnel may require devices to participate.
Henrys	-	Dispatcher has desktop access to Internet
Redmans	3	Preference is for operators to receive images directly
Willow Springs	1	Dispatcher has desktop access to Internet
Total	27-37	Exact number depends on use of devices by dispatchers. Note: this does not include additional devices that may be required for R&D, test, and evaluation.

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