ZOOM Information Systems Partners on Technology to Improve Traffic

Those dreams and more may be coming true, thanks to a recent collaboration between ZOOM Information Systems, a Fort-Wayne-based developer of intelligent transportation systems, and Wireless Matrix Corporation, a Reston, VA, developer of vehicle-mounted communications equipment. The fruits of their teamwork — the Real-Time Transportation Infrastructure Information System (RTTIIS) — is being demonstrated to the national Transportation Research Board this month in Washington, DC.

Mike Fritsch, president of ZOOM, explained, “The RTTIIS works by analyzing data from sensors mounted on vehicles that are moving in traffic. A big technical challenge has been getting the sensor data from all those vehicles to the RTTIIS computers. Wireless Matrix brought us a proven solution to the problem with their MBS2 mobile base station systems. They’ve moved the RTTIIS project from the drawing board to the real world, and we’re very pleased to welcome them as the latest member of our development team.”

Jeff Crisci, VP of Marketing and New Business Development for Wireless Matrix, spoke about the special capabilities of the MBS2 system, and its relevance to the RTTIIS project, “ZOOM needed a solution with a 100% coverage footprint and guaranteed network availability to send sensor data from the vehicles to the RTTIIS computers. The Wireless Matrix MBS2, along with our Wide Area Wireless Data Service, enables vehicles to become always-on communications hubs by combining terrestrial, satellite, and 802.11 communications into one seamless multi-mode network service.

“In addition to the seamless communications capability, these rugged, vehicle-mounted units are designed to accept data from all of the vehicle sensors, plus its built-in GPS receiver, which constantly tracks each vehicle’s physical location. Wireless Matrix is pleased to deliver the always-on, uninterrupted data flow that ZOOM’s RTTIIS system requires.”

This month’s live demonstration to the TRB will focus on real-time sensing of road conditions. An RTTIIS-enabled Fort Wayne city fleet vehicle, outfitted with on-board sensors and a Wireless Matrix MBS2, will communicate real-time road conditions via the Wireless Matrix Wide Area Wireless Data Service to the TRB site in Washington, DC. As the fleet vehicle moves around the Fort Wayne area, TRB viewers in DC will see real-time, continuous updates on the actual road conditions it encounters. Future demonstrations will highlight the traffic flow, emergency response, roadway maintenance and motorist feedback aspects of the RTTIIS system.

For more information about the Real-Time Transportation Infrastructure Information System project, contact Mr. Fritsch at ZOOM Information Systems, 260-407-1776.

For more information about Wireless Matrix mobile communication solutions, contact Mr. Crisci at Wireless Matrix Corporation, 877-466-7266.

About ZOOM Information Systems

ZOOM Information Systems produces a family of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) hardware and software products for government and commercial enterprises. More information about ZOOM can be found at www.zoominfosystems.com

About Wireless Matrix

Wireless Matrix is a leading developer and provider of enterprise-class wireless data services for business-critical operations involving mobile workforces and remote assets. Wireless Matrix mobile services are deployed in major corporate industrial markets including oil and gas, utilities, transportation and field service. The Company delivers a data network service that provides 100% real-time wireless communications coverage to all of North America. This service is enabled by the Mobile Base Station hardware platform that provides data connectivity via cellular, satellite, and WiFi networks to enterprise back-office systems enabling field work force mobility. Wireless Matrix is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and has offices in Calgary, Alberta and Burnaby, British Columbia. For more information visit www.wrx-us.com.

Source: ZOOM Information Systems