Installation of Intelligent Traffic Lights
INTRODUCTION
In an ever-evolving world, where cities continue to grow and traffic congestion becomes a prevalent challenge, the need for innovative solutions to enhance transportation efficiency has never been greater. Recognizing this imperative, the installation of Intelligent Traffic Signal Lights (ITSL) has emerged as a promising avenue to revolutionize the way traffic flows through urban areas. By harnessing advanced technologies and real-time data analysis, ITSL systems aim to optimize traffic signal timings, reduce congestion, and improve overall road safety.
Geoinfotech Resources Limited through the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) intends to conduct an aerial survey as a part of the inspection process of several (10) site locations. Aerial surveys were conducted at least twice on each site, as such all deliverables possess evidence of changes that occurred before and after the installation of intelligent traffic signal lights.
SCOPE OF WORK
Survey activities carried out to produce a detailed ortho-photo of each study area include activities that can be categorized into pre-flight, flight, and post-flight stages.
Pre-flight:
- Mission Planning: This involved the determination of the survey area, flight altitude, and image overlap required for capturing the desired level of detail.
- Equipment Check: This process involved ensuring the drone, camera, and other necessary equipment are in proper working condition. The drone batteries were confirmed to be fully charged.
- Safety Assessment: Assessment of weather conditions, airspace regulations, and any potential hazards in the survey area.
- Survey Design: This involved the definition of the flight path and image capture settings based on the survey objectives, such as grid or transect patterns.
Flight:
- Pre-flight Checklist: A pre-flight checklist was followed to confirm that all necessary steps have been taken, including calibrating the drone’s compass, checking GPS signal strength, and confirming camera settings.
- Takeoff and Navigation: The drone was launched from a safe location and followed the predetermined flight path while maintaining a safe altitude and distance from obstacles.
- Image Acquisition: This involves the capture of high-resolution images or video footage of the survey area according to the defined flight plan. Ensure adequate overlap between images for accurate reconstruction and analysis.
- Real-time Monitoring: This involved the continuous monitoring of the drone’s position, battery life, and image quality during the flight. All necessary adjustments or interventions were made if unexpected issues arise.
Post-flight:
- Data Transfer: We safely downloaded the captured images or video footage from the drone’s memory card to a secure storage device.
- Data Processing: We employed specialized software or photogrammetry techniques to process the collected imagery into a usable format, such as ortho-mosaics or 3D models.
- Quality Control: The processed data was reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and any potential errors. All errors were identified and rectified; such as image alignment or geo-referencing errors.
- Reporting and Visualization: Survey results were presented in a clear and concise manner through reports, videos, or interactive visualizations, facilitating effective decision-making.
SITE DESCRIPTION
10 (ten) study areas were selected for the installation of the Intelligent Signal Traffic Light (ITSL) project. Each study area possesses a relatively level terrain and is a sensitive traffic hotpot; consisting of T-junctions or Round-abouts connecting major roads in Lagos State.
Sensitization
Prior to the start of the survey project, a meeting was held with representatives of Geoinfotech and the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT).
DELIVERABLES
The deliverables for the project are in softcopy and stated in the table below:
On-site photo of Geoinfotech crew members controlling the drone
On-site image of crew members setting-up equipment
On-site photo of Geoinfotech crew members controlling the drone
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE WEB MAP INTERFACE
AERIAL SURVEY
On-site aerial mapping missions were carried out by trained and certified drone pilots. They adhered to aviation norms and safety protocols by following standardized operating procedures. DJI Phantom 4 Pro drones were used and were outfitted with cutting-edge cameras and sensors capable of recording high-resolution imagery and collecting precise geographical data. To guarantee maximum coverage and data fidelity, the flight paths and capture parameters were meticulously tuned.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone
MOT INSPECTION: EPE (LAGOS ROAD)
BEFORE
AFTER
MOT INSPECTION: ALAUSA IKEJA
BEFORE
AFTER
MOT INSPECTION: IKORODU
BEFORE
AFTER
MOT INSPECTION: LEKKI ADMIRALTY WAY
BEFORE
AFTER
CONCLUSION
The installation of intelligent traffic signal lights marks a significant leap forward in the realm of traffic management, revolutionizing the way we address congestion, optimize traffic flow, and enhance road safety. The advanced technology and data-driven algorithms employed by these systems empower traffic authorities to make informed decisions, adapting signal timings dynamically to the ever-changing traffic patterns. By seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure and leveraging real-time data, intelligent traffic signal lights have demonstrated their potential to reduce travel times, minimize fuel consumption, and decrease environmental impact. As cities continue to grapple with the challenges posed by urbanization and increasing traffic volumes, embracing this transformative solution can pave the way for more efficient, sustainable, and safer transportation networks. The successful implementation of intelligent traffic signal lights sets the stage for a smarter future, where traffic management becomes an agile and proactive process, ultimately improving the quality of life for citizens and shaping more connected and livable cities.
