IRF GRAA Winner Profile: Georgia DOT & Parsons
With Atlanta’s traffic congestion among the worst in the United States, the Georgia DOT (GDOT) implemented the State’s first two Reversible Express Lanes Projects on the I-75 South Metro and Northwest Corridor roadways. The projects were completed in January 2017 and September 2018 by GDOT and the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA).
The I-75 South Metro Express Lanes are newly constructed reversible toll lanes that run 12 miles along I-75 and operate northbound in the morning toward Atlanta and southbound in the evening. The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes project adds 29.7 miles of express lanes. The new highway infrastructure includes reversible toll lanes, seven express lane interchanges, three access points, and 40 bridges. The express lanes are designed to improve traffic flow, increase commuter options, provide reliable trip times, and bring economic benefits to the region.
Parsons was involved in all project aspects including civil design, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Traffic Incident Management for the re-use and extension of the company’s previously installed Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) iNET™. Parsons was the lead designer for this extensive civil engineering project and the team continues to support the operation and technology to ensure GDOT’s success in the operation, management, and maintenance of this critical traffic asset.
Parsons designed and developed GDOT’s technological advancements in ATMS for the 1996 Summer Olympics, Branded as NaviGAtor. For the current project, Parsons enhanced NaviGAtor to assist GDOT in monitoring traffic real-time via 405 closed circuit cameras, predict commute times, relay express lanes dynamic pricing via 89 dynamic messaging signs, and operate 160 road access gates. The system automates the workflow required for safe and effective roadway reversal transitions.
Receiving the award for Parsons, Donald Graul Connected Communities Market Leader acknowledged “We’re proud to have continuously delivered intelligent transportation system solutions for the Atlanta region since the first time we installed these solutions in support of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. This project exemplifies how Parsons’ technology can improve mobility of the traveling public, increase their safety, and reduce the region’s carbon footprint.”
For more information on the IRF Global Road Achievement Awards, please visit www.irf.global/graa