Plant City residents have taken to Facebook to guess the purpose of the electronic signs installed along portions of US-92, Thonotosassa Road, SR 574/MLK and Park Road.
Nope, they’re not “Go Away” signs.
The Blank Out Signs, white LED on a black background and measuring 48” x 48”, are part of the I-4 Florida Regional Advance Mobility Element (FRAME) project, sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), to promote safety, mobility and innovation along the I-4 corridor, a vital artery for economic activities in Florida that experiences severe mobility issues due to frequent crashes and recurring congestion.
Plant City Manager of Traffic Operations Fred Baxter said the signs, placed at 22 intersections along primary and secondary diversion routes, will display different messages that, in the event of an incident on I-4, will allow drivers coming off the highway to safely and efficiently navigate around the city and back onto the interstate. “The big dynamic message signs on I-4 will inform drivers of the incident and the Blank Out Signs will give them a better understanding of which route to take during the diversion,” he said. “It’s a large project that goes all the way from Tampa to Orlando.”
Plant City’s Traffic Division has a seasoned team that’s been using some of this technology for years. Its team mans the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) that allows the City to access a real-time view of traffic operations to control traffic lights, communications, traffic cameras, school flashers and more. The Division, whose ATMS is connected with FDOT, has been working with FDOT on the FRAME project for four years. When the signs go live, the City can manage the messaging on the signs.
“Eventually we’ll connect and be able to coordinate routes and other information amongst other agencies,” said Baxter.
According to FDOT District Seven Communications Manager Kristen Carson, the system won’t be functional for approximately 14 months, when all other regional Districts (1,5,7) and Turnpike Enterprise are also up and running.
The Blank Out Signs are just the first part of the process, said Baxter.
Through Connected Vehicle (CV) and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies, including Advanced Transportation Controllers (ATCs), Roadside Units (RSUs- which are being installed alongside some of the Blank Out Signs), CCTV cameras and Bluetooth detectors, the project will leverage vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle technologies to reduce crashes and improve mobility.
The Connected Vehicle (CV) technology will allow motorists and traffic signals to exchange information by way of a phone app such as WAZE, Travel Safely or OBU (OnBoard Unit) built into the vehicle. The RSU gathers basic safety messages (BSMs) from onboard units (OBUs) and other local traffic systems and communicates that data back to the RTMC. The information is then analyzed, and a Traveler Information Message (TIM) is broadcast from the RSU to a vehicle’s OBU in order to provide information to motorists.
Baxter has been testing the Travel Safely app. At a traffic signal that has the technology, his phone may alert him if the light is going to change, if he’s driving too fast while approaching a red light, if he’s speeding in a school zone, if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk or if an emergency vehicle is approaching. “The app gives you an awareness,” he said. “We’re not ready to go live with it yet but the technology is coming to FDOT roads because it’s a part of their long-term master plan.”
“This project will bring FDOT closer to its vision of a fatality-free roadway network and a congestion-free transportation system in Florida using emerging technologies,” said Carson.
For more information about the FRAME project visit www.fdot.gov.