Dynamic Multimodal Network Management
Dynamic Multimodal Network Management for Smart Cities
Multimodal transportation is changing how Smart Cities manage their roadways. In addition to traditional traffic, modal shifts are driving the need to manage emerging mobility options and applications. Multimodal traffic management must adapt to wide-ranging transportation options from active transportation users to connected micromobility applications. These vastly different modes create new challenges for traffic systems.
Smart cities need multimodal traffic management that supports every form of travel. Systems must use real-time data and flexible controls to keep traffic safe and efficient. This is critical for more sustainable and equitable mobility.
The Smart City Mobility Challenge
Municipalities are facing increasing mobility and infrastructure pressures. As populations grow and cities expand, traditional traffic systems struggle to keep pace with increasing demand. Traffic congestion negatively impacts the entire transportation network. It also negatively impacts commerce, the environment, and quality of life.
To address these multi-layered challenges, municipalities must quickly evolve. Multimodal traffic management is no longer a future aspiration. It’s a necessity today. Dynamic Multimodal Network Management offers a transformative approach to coordinating diverse transit modes in real time. This ensures safer and more efficient mobility.
Smart Cities are adopting smart mobility solutions that integrate data and technology to optimize mobility. This shift demands a new approach to traffic management. Multimodal traffic management is capable of orchestrating complex networks with precision and agility.
Real-Time, Data-Driven Signal Management
Modern traffic systems must leverage real-time data collection and analysis. These will be fundamental to Smart City traffic management. enabling cities to react instantly to changing conditions and optimize signal timing across all modes of transportation.
Adaptive Traffic Signals for Every Mode
Traditional traffic signal programming operates on fixed schedules. This does not necessarily address the dynamic state of the roadway. Adaptive traffic signal control leverages traffic data from sensors and connected devices to adjust signal timing based on current conditions.
Adaptive signals as part of a multimodal traffic management system that helps ensure all traffic flows smoothly. This technology supports multimodal transit systems by giving priority to buses, light rail, and active mobility users when needed. This reduces delays and improves reliability.
Proactive Optimization with AI and IoT Data
Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing traffic management. Their applications can analyze vast amounts of real-time data from connected vehicles, infrastructure, mobile devices, as well as historical data. A benefit is that AI-powered Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and applications can predict congestion patterns and dynamically adjust traffic signals to help prevent them. This data also powers modeling and simulation systems to enhance accuracy and validation.
This traffic proactive approach mitigates or prevents traffic congestion and enhances safety. It also supports smart and sustainable mobility initiatives. Smart Cities can now manage traffic not just reactively, but proactively.
Prioritizing Transit, Emergency Vehicles, and Pedestrians
Equitable and accessible mobility means prioritizing the needs of all road users. This is especially important for Vulnerable Roadway Users (VRUs) who rely on public transit, emergency services, and other modes of active transportation.
Transit Signal Priority for Public Transport
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a fundamental component of efficient multimodal systems. By extending green lights or shortening red phases for buses and light rail services, cities can improve transit headway and enhance schedule reliability. It not only benefits riders but also supports policy goals to increase public transportation use. As part of a larger multimodal transportation strategy, TSP has shown to make large inroads toward easing pressure on road networks, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing safety.
Emergency Vehicle Preemption for Quicker Response
Seconds matter in emergencies. Dynamic multimodal systems incorporate an active Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system, enabling ambulances, fire rescue, and law enforcement vehicles to arrive on green lights at intersections. This helps these first responders to reach their destinations quicker. This capability enhances public safety and ensures rapid response in critical situations. For more about EVP, please click here.
Active Mobility Users: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety at Intersections
Smart cities must protect their most vulnerable roadway users. Advanced signal systems use sensors and predictive analytics to detect active mobility users, including pedestrians and cyclists. This allows cities to adjust timing for safe crossing opportunities. Features such as countdown timers, audible signals, and dedicated bike phases contribute to smart mobility systems. It also promotes more inclusivity for active mobility users.
Integrated Mobility Management Platform
At the heart of Dynamic Multimodal Network Management is a centralized ATMS platform that connects all elements of the transportation ecosystem.
Unified Control Center and Analytics
A centralized traffic management platform such as Centracs® Mobility serves as the brain of the Smart City, integrating data from traffic signals, transit systems, emergency services, and environmental sensors. Cities and municipalities can monitor conditions in real time. They can also analyze performance metrics and make informed decisions to improve mobility.
Advanced analytics tools, including AI-powered applications provide insights into identifying travel patterns, congestion hotspots, safety risks, and infrastructure usage. This enables continuous optimization and strategic planning.
Connecting Corridors, Vehicles, and Cities
Integrated corridor management ensures seamless coordination across multiple transportation modes and jurisdictions. By linking strategic arterials, highways, and transit routes, cities can actively optimize traffic holistically. This helps to reduce delays and improve safety.
Connected vehicles play a key role in this ecosystem, transmitting and receiving data to and from the infrastructure. This two-way communication enhances situational awareness and supports coordinated responses to incidents and disruptions.
Being Prepared for Connected and Autonomous Mobility
As automated vehicles and connected mobility applications become mainstream, municipalities must prepare infrastructure accordingly. Dynamic multimodal management platforms are designed to do just that. It facilitates Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, dynamic traffic signal operations, and integration with emerging mobility services.
This multimodal traffic management approach ensures that Smart Cities remain at the forefront of innovation. This capability helps better accommodate evolving multimodal transportation needs.
Benefits: Safer, Greener, More Efficient Streets
Dynamic Multimodal Network Management delivers measurable improvements for municipalities, communities, and the environment. It provides the following benefits:
- Improving Safety for All Roadway Users: Smart traffic systems, including EVP, reduce accidents, mitigate risks, and enhance public safety. Real-time monitoring and dynamic traffic management provide situational awareness, helping prevent collisions while optimizing roadway efficiencies.
- Reducing Congestion and Emissions: Efficient signal timing and multimodal coordination reduce idle times, stop-start events, and shorten commutes. This, in turn, reduces fuel consumption and vehicle emissions, supporting green initiatives.
- Maximizing Infrastructure Efficiency: Smart Cities must accomplish more with less. Dynamic traffic management enables cities to optimize existing infrastructure without costly construction-based capacity expansions. By leveraging data and technology, municipalities can improve throughput, extend infrastructure asset life, and deliver better mobility services.
Econolite’s Vision: Shaping the Future of Smart City Mobility
Econolite continues to lead the technology charge in transforming multimodal transportation management. Through our commitment to innovation, integration, and data-driven solutions, we empower cities to embrace smart mobility. Our solutions are designed to enhance safety and help our customers achieve their mobility goals.
From adaptive traffic signal control and integrated corridor management to predictive ATMS and planning, Econolite’s technologies support every aspect of Dynamic Multimodal Network Management. Our platforms are designed to be robust, scalable, interoperable, and future proof. Econolite actively works to help cities meet mobility objectives in an increasingly complex transportation landscape.
At Econolite, we believe that Smart Cities are built on data-driven solutions. Econolite’s innovative solutions deliver the insights and support needed to shape a more connected and equitable future.
0
+ cabinets
0
+ Traffic Controllers
0
+ Systems Deployed
0
+ Sensors Installed