• Emergency Vehicles to get improved range of preemption, faster response time at traffic signals, reducing response time and confusion at intersections.
• Cary has selected Applied Information, ALS of North Carolina, and Temple, Inc. to provide technology.
• The TravelSafely Smartphone App will eventually be able to connect drivers, vulnerable road users and infrastructure.

The Town of Cary has selected transportation technology developer Applied Information to upgrade its traffic control system with the latest Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities Technology to improve safety, maximize responsiveness and efficiency of traffic for all users, and provide valuable data for future applications and transportation projects.

The $2 million project is the result of a matched federal grant between the U.S. Department of Transportation and Town of Cary, and is the first of its kind in North Carolina. It will provide IoT connectivity and connected vehicle applications to traffic signals, school zone safety beacons, pedestrian crosswalks and railroad crossings. Opportunities will be available to improve upon existing emergency and public transportation vehicle preemption at signals with a GPS-based system, offering greater distance and dynamic reactivity. The Town’s traffic engineers will also be able to monitor and control the technology from their connected devices.

“Cary is a community that understands and appreciates how the use of technology can solve problems and improve the quality of life,” said Jerry Jensen, Director of Transportation. “We’re excited to continue our reputation as early adopters of technology, while building off our existing infrastructure to further improve citizen safety and our transportation system efficiency.”

In addition to the safety and planning benefits associated with the new technology, citizens have the option to use the TravelSafely® smartphone app to be automatically connected with the infrastructure and other users. This connectivity provides for interaction between drivers and traffic control devices delivering an extra layer of awareness and improved safety at intersections, in school zones and areas where vulnerable road users are present. TravelSafely will alert drivers if they are about to run a red light or are in potential conflict with a pedestrian or cyclist to inform them about where they are and to adjust their actions to be safer.

The connectivity for the project is LTE cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X Network). This enables vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists to use their smart phones to take advantage of its safety applications while on the streets. The C-V2X Network technology enables emergency vehicles to communicate with multiple traffic signals in the direction of travel and change the light to green or hold the light green. Traffic in front of the emergency vehicle is kept moving while oncoming and cross-traffic is brought safely to a halt. Deployments in other municipalities indicate a time savings of about 10 seconds or more per light using the technology.

The Town will upgrade a total of 205 traffic signals, 100 school safety zone beacons, 15 crosswalks, its fire apparatus, transit buses and at-grade rail crossings. ALS of North Carolina is the prime contractor; Applied Information is the technology provider along with Temple, Inc.

About Applied Information

Applied Information is the industry-leading developer of Smart Cities, connected vehicle, and intelligent transportation system (ITS) solutions designed to save lives, improve traffic, drive commerce, and help the environment. Applied Information’s Glance Smart City Supervisory platform enables cities to manage all their traffic and ITS assets on one web-based application. Key product areas are smart traffic signals, school zone flashing beacons, emergency vehicle preemption, transit, and freight priority and ITS systems. AI’s free TravelSafely™ smartphone app connects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and the transportation infrastructure for a safer mobility experience. For more information, visit www.appinfoinc.com.

About the Town of Cary

Cary is a thriving community in the heart of the Triangle area of North Carolina, between Raleigh and renowned Research Triangle Park. The Triangle area is repeatedly ranked among the top regions in the country to live or work, to find a home or start a business, to raise a family or retire. Cary has a population of over 170,000, and is part of the Research Triangle region of central North Carolina, a leading life sciences and technology innovation center.

Editors: Images of Tow of Cary Intersections may be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5pjs0dji9scnyq8/AAD7NhDTNnfJ5NYQZS9TZ-KVa?dl=0

If residents have specific questions about Town services or operations mentioned in this news release, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email 311@townofcary.org.

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