SignalTraffic Forums

jab8356 wrote:I don't understand why they would put games on a signal controller. Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should.

Because it is the first Google Android based traffic controller available. The goal I'm hearing from Intelight is that they are going to make it so you can load an app on a smart phone or tablet and program it wirelessly. You don't necessarily need the games on it, but the functionality to upload and download apps of any kind, even third party stuff, is useful. Using games is a great way to display the multiple uses the controller has.

Think of it this way, load the local intersection controller software, and another app controlling surveillance cameras, and another counting cars or gathering research data...all from one machine

All I have to say is McCain, Siemens, Econolite and Peek better step up their game In the "big 4's" defense, they do have to support years of equipment and software. Intelight is starting with a clean slate

Your explanation makes sense Nick, but I still think they could have thought of something better to demonstrate the controllers possibilities, than put a game on it.

EPAC-EPIC-MARC wrote:........Think of it this way, load the local intersection controller software, and another app controlling surveillance cameras, and another counting cars or gathering research data...all from one machine

"1984" .....

jab8356 wrote:Your explanation makes sense Nick, but I still think they could have thought of something better to demonstrate the controllers possibilities, than put a game on it.

Games work great at a trade show like the one Joe was at. It allows people to come explore this new type of controller and some of its features including its standard control software.

I do not expect "real-world" cabinets to become arcades

EPAC-EPIC-MARC wrote:All I have to say is McCain, Siemens, Econolite and Peek better step up their game In the "big 4's" defense, they do have to support years of equipment and software. Intelight is starting with a clean slate

I see two issues with them taking it over quickly -
1. Price. As I understand it, aren't their controllers a few steps over everyone else's?
2. State Approval. I know that, at least here in MD and VA, there's a set list of approved devices. Any new devices have to be tested. With running an 'open' OS, that could prove difficult to get passage.

..Playing devil's advocate.

Hey Nick. Do you think you could get two???

coyttl wrote:

EPAC-EPIC-MARC wrote:All I have to say is McCain, Siemens, Econolite and Peek better step up their game In the "big 4's" defense, they do have to support years of equipment and software. Intelight is starting with a clean slate

I see two issues with them taking it over quickly -
1. Price. As I understand it, aren't their controllers a few steps over everyone else's?
2. State Approval. I know that, at least here in MD and VA, there's a set list of approved devices. Any new devices have to be tested. With running an 'open' OS, that could prove difficult to get passage.

..Playing devil's advocate.

They are a few steps ahead of everyone elses but are apparently priced "competitively" I haven't gotten a quote on their controllers yet so I can't say how much they are new for agencies.

Their ITS stuff was approved for use here in Macomb County, MI and is quickly replacing the Eagle stuff. I don't know if its running Intelights software, or a different brand software. One of these days I will go out to a quiet intersection and take a peek inside to take a pic when no ones around

EPAC-EPIC-MARC wrote:

coyttl wrote:

EPAC-EPIC-MARC wrote:All I have to say is McCain, Siemens, Econolite and Peek better step up their game In the "big 4's" defense, they do have to support years of equipment and software. Intelight is starting with a clean slate

I see two issues with them taking it over quickly -
1. Price. As I understand it, aren't their controllers a few steps over everyone else's?
2. State Approval. I know that, at least here in MD and VA, there's a set list of approved devices. Any new devices have to be tested. With running an 'open' OS, that could prove difficult to get passage.

..Playing devil's advocate.

They are a few steps ahead of everyone elses but are apparently priced "competitively" I haven't gotten a quote on their controllers yet so I can't say how much they are new for agencies.

Their ITS stuff was approved for use here in Macomb County, MI and is quickly replacing the Eagle stuff. I don't know if its running Intelights software, or a different brand software. One of these days I will go out to a quiet intersection and take a peek inside to take a pic when no ones around

Yeah, the gov't typically wants three things: Cheap. Standard. Proprietary. "Priced competitively" usually means 10-25% above the competition... I don't see a state like PA, NJ, NY etc even so much as answering the reps' phones for a long time.

They're damn neat controllers, and I'd to have one myself. You know, if I won the lottery.

I think the thing that would make them stand out (and they may have these features already, I haven't gotten really deep into the technical info on them) for municipalities to get them would be -

• Easy setup - Being able to load a 'standard' config (minimum timings, etc.) and then allow the engineer to change the values he would need to (dropping phase 5, for example). This would give quicker deployment time to new or upgrade or replacement intersections.
• Easier Telemetry/Networked connections - It always amazed me at the amount of trouble the older controllers (by 'older' I mean like, ones made in the late 90's, early 00's) had to go through to get them talking to each other.
• Easier Programmable Flags - This would be a help, for example, for in-intersection crashes - i.e. Have a video camera aimed at the center of the intersection, with a 90 second motion delay. (Longer than a single phase.) Hook up its output to a special input. Tell the controller that when that input goes high, send a red flag back to the ITS system, so folks sitting behind their desk can know that something's up.
• Easier and more comprehensive screens - Better yet, defininf the information screen you want to see as the default. it amazed me that the ASC/3 still have an alphanumeric screen, and not a DMD-style, at least. With so many status screens, all the 'important' information that *I* want to see if across four different screens. Being able to say, 'Okay, I want phase channels, phase on/next, priority #1 status, Ring 1 and 2 status, and Flash status' on a single screen (given space requirements, of course..) would be awesome, and would be more help to the in-site technical guys. (For example, at a intersection with a railroad preempt, they may want the default status screen to show preempt info. On another intersection along a major collector, they may want coordination info/TOD displayed..

Those are just examples, and like the last ARE possible on other controllers - with a LOT of programming time and perhaps even some custom programming.

..I ramble. Sorry. :)

That is what made Eagle so popular here, especially EPICs. They are basically digital menu-driven versions of the mechanicals. Eagle's SE-PAC software is nearly 30 years old, yet its still the main software for the EPACs and also used on their 2070s. It has been tweaked over the years as technology and specs changed but the overall structure is the same.

The Eagle Closed Loop system is pretty basic...just enter an address for each controller and either wirelessly or hardwire into the communication inputs. Can't speak for Econolite or Peek as I haven't had a close enough look at them but I'd imagine other brands are similar in design. Never asked if the Intelight can interface with other types of systems. Their proprietary Closed Loop/Management software is MaxView.

I agree with your guys arguments that municipalities want simple, cheap and easy, which is why I think things will slowly move into ITS and 2070 type, of all brands. Simple, uniform, and customizable.

There was a pic on facebook of a pallet of Econolite controllers that were pulled and replaced with X2's all around...some were ASC/3's but most were ASC/2. I would upload it here if I could go on facebook groups at work....I can go on facebook, but groups are blocked.... I'll try tonight.