Establish Automated High-Frequency Monitoring of Device Uptime to Improve Data Reliability Across Radar Detection System (RDS) Networks.
Tennessee Department of Transportation Evaluated RDS Sensors and Developed Improved Processes and Tools for Statewide Monitoring Performance.
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
TDOT RDS Data Quality Assurance and High-Resolution Content Enhancement
Summary Information
Radar detection systems (RDS) aid in monitoring traffic flow, providing detailed information on vehicle counts, classifications, and speeds at specific locations along roadways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) RDS includes over 800 detectors statewide. This project aimed to enhance RDS data accuracy and usability. Spanning from late 2022 to early 2025, project tasks included reviewing RDS data and stakeholder needs, evaluating RDS sensors for accuracy and replacing invalid sensors, standardizing sensor configuration and calibration, comparing RDS data to other sources, developing monitoring tools, and deploying a live data dashboard.
The project resulted in several lessons learned.
- Conduct frequent monitoring of device uptime to improve data reliability. Setting up an automated process to check device status frequently (such as every 30 seconds) will avoid poor quality data due to device outages.
- Identify data applications by collaborating with stakeholders. Some TDOT stakeholders were not initially aware of the availability or potential uses of RDS data. For example, high-fidelity volume data is useful for long range planning, freight and logistics, and traffic design.
- Centralize device configuration and software integration responsibilities to reduce complexity. Clarifying roles and oversight responsibilities is critical to maintaining system integrity.
- Integrate RDS data with other systems such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to enhance usability. TDOT was able to better understand traffic patterns and enable enhanced visualizations by combining datasets with their Interstate 24 Mobility Technology Interstate Observation Network (I-24 MOTION) high definition traffic observation testbed in Nashville.
