Miovision Launches Free Tool to Help Cities Test their Traffic Smarts

KITCHENER, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)

Miovision, a global leader in traffic systems technology, today launchedMyCitySmarts.com, a free survey and guide to help cities improve the flow of traffic.

Every driver knows the frustration of sitting in traffic and getting stuck at poorly timed stoplights that turn red too quickly to let enough cars through while no cross-traffic is even waiting. The evolution of smart traffic technology is helping a growing number of cities address traffic congestion. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies are giving cities more tools to collect better data, improve monitoring and in some cases automate freeway management, traffic signal optimization, incident and event management and failure responses.

“While a lot of cities are starting to investigate smart traffic technology, many simply don’t know where to start,” said Dave Bullock, managing director of ITS at Miovision. “It can be a daunting task. The MyCitySmarts survey will help them identify their challenges and how to overcome them. By comparing responses different stakeholders within the city, it can help ensure that teams are on the same page when it comes to setting priorities and implementing changes.”

Once a city or agency representative completes the survey, they are given a customized infographic with an overall smart traffic signal score and in-depth breakdown in four key areas, including building an ITS master plan, adopting the right technologies to meet goals, evaluating traffic signal system performance and openly sharing traffic data with stakeholders. Whether the city scores in the red, yellow or green, they’ll be given tangible steps to accelerate smart traffic adoption, such as developing a master plan, upgrading technology, training staff or adopting an open data policy.

In 2008, the city of Atlanta adopted the Connect Atlanta Plan, a plan for transportation investment priorities for a 25-year period. Now, eight years into the implementation the MyCitySmart survey confirms that the city is on the right track, said CIO Kirk Talbott. The survey results note that Atlanta’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) sets out clear objectives and the city has made investments in the rights transportation technologies to meet those goals. Next steps encourage Atlanta to share transportation data broadly – untapped innovations can be unleashed if public data is opened up.

“We are committed to intelligent transportation here in Atlanta because we know it makes a difference to our residents,” Talbott said. “This survey is a great tool not only to keep all of us on the same page but also to help us consider new emerging technologies and tools that could help us achieve our goals.”

Incorporating ITS into the planning, design and operation of traffic signal control systems will provide motorists with recognizable improvements in travel time, lower vehicle operating costs, and reduced vehicle emissions.

The National Transportation Operations Coalition 2012 Traffic Signal Report Card found that while states and local governments are making progress managing and operating North America’s more than 340,000 traffic signals, improvement and investment in traffic signal operations remains critical to improving performance and service for drivers.

Take the survey at MyCitySmarts.com.

About Miovision Technologies

Named one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies, Miovision’s mission is to provide the foundation for tomorrow’s smart cities by reinventing the way traffic intersections are managed today. For the past 10 years, Miovision’s innovations in traffic signal planning and operations have made it possible for cities to improve the transportation experience for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Miovision serves over 13,000 municipalities worldwide. For more information, visit www.miovision.com.