10 intersections at Lacey to have their vehicle detectors upgraded to work in all weather

Posted

Lacey City Council awarded a contract to City Electric Co. for the installation of new vehicle detectors at 10 intersections in the city during a meeting on Thursday, March 16.

The detectors being put in are the FLIR Trafisense2 detection system, according to the Public Works Bid titled Citywide Signal ITS Detection Upgrade. The detection system is an integrated thermal traffic detector. According to the bid, “TrafiSense2 is an integrated thermal sensor and detector for level crossing safety. Intelligent algorithms immediately alert operators when the TrafiSense2 detects objects stuck on the level crossing, increasing the overall safety of pedestrians and commuters. Thermal technology allows the TrafiSense2 to operate 24/7 and in any weather condition without the need for visible light.”

The bid also went over that if there is existing video detection, the contractor is able to use the existing wiring and mounts. The technical specifications of the bid detail that the detectors are for “stationary object detection, direct object presence detection.” The unit uses long-wave infrared (7 – 14 μm) light to detect cars, pedestrians and bicycles.

Induction loops will also be changed over to this new detector if they are in any of the intersections.

Among the four bidders, City Electric provided the lowest bid with $423,960, which was above the city engineer’s estimate for the cost of the project at $315,000.

Documents prepared for the meeting stated the ten intersections would be located at:

  • Martin Way and Carpenter Road
  • 3rd Avenue SE and College Street SE
  • 6th Avenue SE and Sleater Kinney Road SE
  • 7th Avenue SE and Sleater Kinney Road SE
  • Pacific Avenue SE and Sleater Kinney Road SE
  • Pacific Avenue SE and South Sound Center
  • Ruddell Road SE and 22nd Avenue SE
  • College Street SE and Mullen Road SE
  • Ruddell Road SE and Mullen Road SE
  • Ruddell Road SE and 54th Avenue SE

A map showing where the new vehicle detectors would be located.
A map showing where the new vehicle detectors would be located.

Transportation Manager Martin Hoppe told the city council that the existing camera detectors at these intersections could not fully detect vehicles when sun glare hits the cameras. The upgraded detectors would have thermal and video imaging to detect vehicles better, regardless of weather conditions.

According to meeting documents, the state funds the project through Arterial Street Funds and Thurston Regional Planning Council through the “Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement” grant program.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here