Siemens announced Seattle, WA will implement Concert, an integrated traffic management platform that connects both Siemens and third-party systems across the city including traffic control centers, intersection controllers, and parking guidance systems. The software will link these traffic planning and control systems so Seattle can take better advantage of its existing road infrastructure, lessen the impact of major traffic incidents, better manage traffic around large events such as football games and reduce overall congestion.
As part of this installation, Siemens has also named Seattle as one of the company’s Center of Excellence for Intelligent Traffic Technology. Understanding the impact intelligent software can have on significantly improving a city’s transportation system, Siemens will provide Seattle with its latest innovative technology to help expand the city’s smart traffic system infrastructure.
“Seattle is committed to improving traffic operations in and around our downtown core through the use of advanced software and hardware, and we’re excited to work with Siemens as a technology partner to help advance this initiative”, said Scott Kubly, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. “Technologies like the Siemens Concert software will help us use intelligence to reduce congestion and, ultimately, improve the driving experience for our citizens and visitors.”
“Surrounded by water and mountains, Seattle's narrow north to south geography creates unique and challenging traffic situations,” said Marcus Welz, president of Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems. “Our intelligent software platform will connect traditionally separate traffic systems in and around Seattle that will allow them better insight into their traffic flow, impact of accidents, and, ultimately, the ability to improve traffic and quality of life for their residents and visitors.”
The Concert platform will integrate Siemens’ TACTICS traffic control system as well as the city’s existing dynamic message sign management system the local travel time system, and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) freeway system. The software will consolidate data from these traffic platforms and other sources like weather reporting, existing road conditions, and traffic data on special events such as concerts or ball games taking place in and around the city into a central management platform. With this insight provided by the software platform, the City of Seattle will have a real-time, comprehensive view into traffic as well as a powerful tool to better manage the transportation network as a whole.
The resulting data collected by the Concert software will allow Seattle to quickly identify traffic-related incidents, determine the best response, and plan its traffic patterns more effectively. The extensive information will also be provided to operators, travelers, traffic control systems and traffic planners via dynamic maps, message signs and posts on the WSDOT website to optimize mobility and safety in Seattle, while decreasing environmental impacts of traffic.
As part of the Center of Excellence partnership, Siemens will work in conjunction with local distributor Western Systems to implement the technology and showcase the system at Seattle Department of Transportation. The partnership will include expansion of the Concert system, providing on-site training for city traffic operators on the system, and offering software support to keep Seattle up-to-date with the latest versions of its technologies. With the software, Seattle can continue to modernize and enhance its transportation systems through improved intelligence, respond and adapt more quickly and intelligently, in real-time, to improve traffic flow and safety and the overall quality of life in the city. The technologies will also enable Seattle to more easily expand its systems for future transportation needs.
The Center of Excellence extends Siemens and Western Systems’ long-term partnership with the City of Seattle. Over the past 10 years, the city has relied on an installed base of Siemens intelligent traffic technologies including advanced controllers across 300 intersections in the Seattle Central Business District and Siemens TACTICS traffic management software that manages and troubleshoots everyday disruptions proactively.
Siemens Concert is currently operating at the Department of Transportation in South Carolina and has been installed in cities around the world including Athens, Greece and Berlin, Germany, Krakow, Poland, and Dubai, U.A.E.
