The TXDOT El Paso

1. The TXDOT El Paso Highway Advisory Radio System A CASE STUDY

2. Introduction The Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) System project for the Texas Department of Transportation El Paso District is described from a process point-of-view and includes activities from project conception to commissioning.

3. Project Conception • The TXDOT El Paso District needed a way to provide the major travel corridors within the district with more travel advisory information than could be conveyed with the dynamic message signs.

4. Overall Objective • With the large geographic area that needed coverage, a Highway Advisory Radio System was the proposed solution. • 68 MILES OF FREEWAY AND LIMITED ACCESS FACILITIES • US 54 – MEXICO BORDER TO THE NEW MEXICO BORDER • INTERSTATE 10 – NEW MEXICO BORDER TO FM 1110 • US 62/180 AT LOOP 375

5. Preliminary Feasibility Study • Before making a huge investment, the proposed solution was scrutinized. A communications assessment was performed to determine the feasibility of obtaining an available AM radio frequency for HAR licensing. • FCC FREQUENCY LICENSE SEARCH – STATION AVAILABILITY • FREQUENCY SCANS – INTERFERENCE ASSESSED • PRELIMINARY BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS

6. Vendor Research • Vendor research for production options and operational requirements • BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS WERE ADDRESSED AS THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WERE REFINED • GPS SYNCHRONIZATION – NO AUDIO ECHO • CHEMICAL GROUNDING SYSTEM - REDUCED REAL ESTATE

7. Design System • Site Selection Considerations • ANTENNA MAXIMUM HEIGHT 49.2 FT (15 M) • OBSTRUCTIONS, TALL BUILDINGS • CLEAR OF TREES AND SCRUBS • RELATIVE ELEVATIONS

8. Design System • Site Selection Considerations(Continued) • MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OR FLATLANDS • >100 FT FROM OVERHEAD POWER LINES • UNDERGROUND UTILITIES • COMMERCIAL INTERFERENCE • OTHER RADIO TRANSMITTERS IN PROXIMITY

9. Design System • Site Selection Considerations (Continued) • FREE OF SAND, ROCK, MUD, CORAL, AND TREE ROOTS • SOIL RESISTANCE • RADIAL GROUND - 200 FOOT DIAMETER • CHEMICAL GROUND - 10 FOOT DIAMETER

10. Design System • Site Selection Considerations (Continued) • POWER AVAILABILITY – AC OR SOLAR • AVAILABLE COMMUNICATIONS -WIRELESS, FIBER, PHONE, DIGITAL CELL • PROXIMITY TO AIRPORT – FAA & FCC ISSUES • MUTCD FOR SIGN SPACING

11. HighlightedFeatures • Define functional features • CENTRALIZED COMMAND – INTUITIVE GUI • GPS SYNCHRONIZED SYSTEM – NO AUDIO ECHO • ALL TRANSMITTING THE SAME MESSAGE • EACH TRANSMITTING INDIVIDUAL MESSAGES • GROUPS WITH VARYING MESSAGES

12. HighlightedFeatures • Define functional features(Continued) • VOICE RECORDING – EASY ACCESS • TEXT-TO-SPEECH – AUTOMATED, DIGITIZED • LANGUAGE(S) - ENGLISH / SPANISH - TARGET AUDIENCE • VOICE GENDER TYPES – MALE / FEMALE

13. HighlightedFeatures • Initial 13 transmitters to 16 at full build-out • Signs with flashing beacons at 16 locations • Chemical grounding system – reduces real estate

14. HighlightedFeatures • Solar powered - economical • HAR system hardware and software at the Transvista control center

15. HighlightedFeatures • Hybrid communications to control center • WIRELESS ETHERNET INTERCONNECT OF THE HAR ANTENNAS AT 11 LOCATIONS • FIBER OPTIC ETHERNET INTERCONNECT OF THE HAR ANTENNAS AND NETWORK HUBS AT 16 LOCATIONS • REDUNDANT FIBER RINGS – ROBUST COMMUNICATIONS • FLASHING BEACONS VIA PAGERS

16. Developing Construction Documents • Plans • Specifications • Opinions of probable cost

17. Construction • Construction support • Submittal reviews

18. Commissioning the Completed System • System acceptance testing – verify proper installation and configuration • Staff operations and maintenance training

19. The TXDOT El Paso Highway Advisory Radio System