The ever-increasing number of people who rely heavily on efficient and effective transportation has pushed advancements in the transportation industry to the forefront of importance. In response to incessantly swelling commute times, transportation systems are increasing in complexity while traffic management technology is becoming even more sophisticated. For such advancements to proceed, the use of industrial networking is essential in a variety of different intelligent transportation applications. Successful intelligent transportation systems require the reliable, real-time network communication with traffic management centers and preceding networks that industrial networking can provide. Without industrial networking, effective communication between the innovative technologies used in the intelligent transportation industry would be virtually impossible. To learn more about some of the primary applications for industrial networking in transportation, continue reading.

Toll Plazas

To facilitate the effective management of toll plaza infrastructure, many different types of communication, monitoring, and control devices are necessary. Among the numerous different types of information devices located throughout toll plazas to help improve their efficiency, serial communication remains highly prevalent because of its low cost and high level of reliability. Serial communication is widely used in toll plazas to gather a mass amount of data from devices such as vehicle messaging signs, video monitoring, loop detectors, weather stations, and toll collection booths. Such data is essential to the process of facilitating the smooth flow of traffic. Because data from such devices is in a variety of different communication mediums, connectivity is required. To collect and transport such serial data, Ethernet standard data communication can be utilized. In addition, Ethernet standard data communication can also provide valuable management features to the network.

Another form of industrial networking equipment that helps benefit toll plazas is a managed switch with a fiber backbone. Such devices are beneficial for facilitating the constant flow of data that is sent to and from a variety of different locations within the toll plaza. Managed units equipped with fiber optics will provide numerous hardware advantages that are necessary in long-distance communication and for providing noise immunity that helps preserve data integrity. Their wide range of beneficial features also allow for advanced control and oversight of the network. Such capabilities further improve the redundancy of the network by providing subsecond recovery times, remote management, and email event notifications.

Weigh Stations

Weigh stations satisfy the important role of helping prevent overweight and unsafe vehicles from driving on the road by quickly weighing and inspecting them to ensure all regulations are being met. To accomplish such tasks, highly advanced equipment is necessary. As roads become populated with an increasing number of vehicles, weigh stations must be able to keep up with the increasing volume of vehicles and be able to send important data over long distances to help prevent traffic congestion. To satisfy the need for coverage over a wide area, a fiber optic backbone that provides the capacity for long-distance communication is beneficial. Additionally, a fiber optic backbone will also provide the capacity for high bandwidth and noise immunity, which will ensure that the weigh stations can operate effectively even in harsh environments with electromagnetic interference. To create a comprehensive monitoring and data collection system, Ethernet switches can also be implemented for additional equipment such as PoE cameras.

Intersection Monitoring

Without intersection monitoring, the transportation system—and the global economy—would cease to function effectively. Industrial networking equipment has helped accommodate increasing volumes of traffic that pass through intersections while maintaining safety and efficiency. Rather than only relying on inefficient timer systems, industrial networking equipment provides intersections with the ability to collect larger amounts of information from edge-level devices. For example, industrial Ethernet switches can help increase the number of connection points for all Ethernet-based field equipment used in traffic intersections. When enabled with Power over Ethernet (PoE), Ethernet switches can provide power to such wireless access points as well as cameras and other devices.

Ethernet switches with fiber optic connections in each field traffic cabinet can provide the high-speed long-distance communication necessary to transport information from traffic intersections to traffic management centers for further management and control. Further, they also provide valuable infrastructure redundancy, which helps ensure that important data can be effectively transported and reach its destination. After receiving such data, traffic controllers will be able to make necessary alterations to traffic intersections, such as skipping turn signal phases or lengthening the duration of green lights.

Passenger Rail

Passenger rails serve the important purpose of alleviating roadway congestion and effectively transporting civilians throughout urban and metropolitan areas. To satisfy an increasing number of commuters—especially during rush hour times—while maintaining optimal levels of efficiency, an automated system is highly important.

An industrial networking infrastructure is perhaps the most important component of a passenger rail’s automated system. This infrastructure allows passenger rails to collect extensive quantities of accurate, reliable, real-time data, which is crucial for effectively transporting large populations safely and efficiently. To function efficiently, passenger rails require data collection from numerous different edge devices such as crosswalks, PA systems, message display signs, train status displays, cameras, and automated ticketing kiosks. Industrial networking infrastructures play the integral role of connecting such edge devices and communicating data from them in real-time between various stations, traffic intersections, and other areas that may potentially contact the rail system. It is important to note that if any segment of the infrastructure experiences a failure, delays can quickly develop. To mitigate the chances of lost connections that can occur as a result of heavy vibration, connectivity devices that utilize M12 connectors and offer industrial-grade vibration resistance are highly beneficial.

Antaira Technologies is an industry leader in the industrial device networking field. We specialize in manufacturing and developing innovative industrial networking and communication technologies. Our products are ruggedized, scalable, reliable, flexible, and make connectivity simple to provide optimal performance for all your industrial applications. Examples of the cutting-edge devices that we offer include industrial Ethernet switches, industrial PoE switches, and other industrial networking equipment that can be applied to intelligent transportation systems. For more information regarding our products, contact us today.