Innovative Traffic Barrels

One of the innovative technologies planned for the project is the iCone, a standard channelizing traffic barrel equipped with a radar gun, GPS antenna, cellular modem and battery. Using its cellular connection to the Internet, the iCone relays data to the iCone website (www.iconetraffic.com), where current traffic conditions can be monitored by the Regional Traffic Operations Center.

Speed data obtained from the iCones can be interpreted to account for queuing or incidents in the work zone. Alerts, via e-mail or text message, will notify the Regional Traffic Operations Center and the contractor's superintendent of possible incidents.

The center can then verify traffic conditions through traffic cameras in the project area and warn motorists, by adjusting messages on variable message signs, of potential stopped vehicles in the roadway.

Read the full story at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/innovator/issue37/