7 IslandVibesIOP.com IOP considers using AI to improve traffic flow By L. C. Leach III NEWS There may come a time soon when you perceive better traffic flow and shorter travel times to and from Isle of Palms – and the reason would be hidden in plain sight. Leaders with the City of Isle of Palms recently undertook the first steps toward installing a new traffic light system at the intersection of Palm Boulevard and the IOP Connector which would operate solely through the use of artificial intelligence. “The cost is estimated to total around $100,000,” said IOP Public Information Officer Josh Uys. “That will be made up of around $75,000 for software and hardware, plus additional engineering costs for installation and DOT encroachment permits.” While the matter has not yet been presented to the full city council for consideration, the members of the Public Safety Committee have already agreed on using Request for Proposals to secure a vendor for the change. So far, three vendors have shown interest, including Rhythm Engineering of Lenexa, Kansas. Council committee member David Cohen said once options are secured from interested vendors, he anticipates the committee making a recommendation to council “in the next two to four months.” “As traffic signal technology improves over time, newer technology has the potential to reduce delays and backups at the Connector/Palm Boulevard intersection,” he said. “If you have ever approached a traffic signal late at night and had to stop and wait for the signal when there are no other cars on the road, these newer signals will be able to detect your approach and switch the signal before you reach the intersection.” An AI type of system has been in place since 2010 in the adjacent Town of Mount Pleasant, with about 54 of the town’s 65 traffic signals – all with positive results. “We have initial before-and-after studies that show our travel times are in the 30% reduction range, our speeds are up 30 to 35% and our stops are down over 50%,” said TOMP Transportation Director Brad Morrison. James Aton, the town’s deputy director of capital projects & transportation, pointed out that the technology implemented on IOP “would be an upgrade to a new AI overlay component system.” “It measures speed, how often vehicles are entering on yellow and red, total volume, vehicle classification such as trailers or school buses, turning counts, how many times pedestrians activate the push button to cross and bicycle volumes,” he said. “And we have a grant from SCDOT for $2.3 million to upgrade to this new system.” When asked how many people lost their jobs due to TOMP’s AI traffic technology, Aton said, “No jobs have been replaced with this system. The AI overlay comes with 24/7 human support – you still have to have people who understand it and keep an eye on managing it.” Though IOP City Council will have to make the final decision, Aton said there is so much to gain by adopting it. “My personal opinion is that this kind of system is really going to benefit a community like Isle of Palms because they only have the one traffic signal, and no traffic engineer to maintain it,” Aton said. “Going to the AI overlay would relieve the somewhat overburdened DOT with having to deal with at least one less intersection system.” E-mail Rachel Basye at cooperriverphotography@gmail.com. FRESH FLORALS. FOREVER MEMORIES Now Booking Spring Sessions! FOR MORE, VISIT COOPERRIVERPHOTOGRAPHY.COM WWW.IOPESCAPES.COM 843.456.4606 IOP ESCAPES IOP ESCAPES BEACH SHELTER | 3708 PALM BLVD 6 BED | 3.5 BATH OCEANFRONT INFINITY POOL INDOOR & OUTDOOR CHEF KITCHENS NewListing! NewListing!
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