References
Federal Roads Office, Winterthur Branch (CH)
The new intelligent traffic control logic of the A1 freeway - a clear case for Bergauer AG
Collisions, traffic jams, injuries and deaths in road traffic - These are the serious consequences of congested roads, poor traffic routing and the lack of regulation of high traffic volumes. To prevent such scenarios in the future and relieve traffic congestion, the Swiss Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) commissioned Bergauer AG, which specializes in intelligent traffic management solutions.
The Winterthur branch of the Swiss Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) engaged Bergauer AG in an open tender procedure to develop a new traffic management system that optimizes the flow of traffic on the A1 freeway between the Winterthur-Ohringen and Oberwinterthur junctions.
Within the scope of the traffic optimization, a new traffic control logic with dynamic operating states was developed which
- Improves the traffic flow by speed control (especially in case of traffic congestion)
- Regulates the danger signalization in case of accidents or traffic jams
- Controls hard shoulder clearance and lane management (before congestion or after events)
- Increases traffic safety thorugh the combination of all measures
An exciting pilot project - for everyone involved
As the first system of its kind in Switzerland, the pilot project was a special challenge.
The new traffic control technology is characterized above all by the calculation of dynamically optimized operating conditions, which places high demands on the complex configuration and parameterization of the system.
Smart traffic control for high-performance roads
The delivered, technical control system MyHighway is characterized by:
- A powerful, regional traffic computer
- Danger warning based on traffic density (occupancy rate) and speed of single vehicle data
- Speed harmonization with use of single vehicle data
- reuse of hard shoulder based on single vehicle data
- Wrong-way driver detection
- 114 lane signals incl. turn signals in LED technology
- 38 speed signals in LED technology
- 15 Hazard signals in LED technology
- 43 variable message signs in prism technology
- 4 counting stations for statistical traffic data acquisition
- 35 overhead radars for recording single vehicle data
The innovative guidance system has numerous advantages
To counteract the high peak loads on the stretch between Ohringen and Oberwinterthur, MyHighway enables the temporary opening of the hard shoulder to all traffic. This measure increases the capacity of the freeway by 50%, as a third lane is added to what is actually a two-lane stretch. Consequently, traffic jams are prevented and the risk of collisions is reduced.
Through the dynamic calculation of traffic conditions, a possible build-up of congestion is predicted in advance, and through the speed harmonization of the traffic flow, the situation can be defused accordingly at an early stage and the actual traffic jam can be avoided. Furthermore, the signalization of danger warnings in case of accidents or traffic jams reduces the risk of subsequent accidents and contributes to an increase in traffic safety.
Key Facts
- Project duration: 2018 to 2020
- Challenge: New development of a dynamic traffic control logic with complex configuration and parameterization.
- Services: Planning, development and execution
- Technology: MyHighway - technical control system
Superordinate control system A9 Valais (CH)
Free travel in the Valais - thanks to Bergauer
Although fully autonomous driving is still far in the future, Bergauer AG is already working on the intelligent networking of road traffic. The prime example of such a project is the superordinate traffic guidance system on the main artery of the Valais - the A9 freeway.
On behalf of the Swiss Office for National Roads, Bergauer AG renewed the existing traffic guidance system on the A9. By successfully integrating old, existing systems with new road sections and harmonizing the entire system visualization, a homogeneous superordinate guidance system was created. The new system enables smart monitoring, regulation and smooth guidance of traffic on the entire cantonal and national road network with a total of 25 tunnel systems.
The innovative control system for tunnel infrastructures
The new technical control system MyTunnel is characterized by:
- 2 new control centers,
- 22 section computers,
- the integration of around 200 PLC system controllers for all of the 25 tunnel sections
- as well as regional traffic control in the canton of Valais with control of all variable message signs (prismatic) and variable text displays (LED RGB).
A groundbreaking concept
On the one hand, the superordinate guidance system serves to direct traffic on the national and cantonal roads of the entire canton, while on the other hand, all technical infrastructures can be monitored and operationally optimized. In addition, preventive measures have been established to prevent system failures, which significantly increase the service life of the technical infrastructure.
With the help of dynamic intervention management, on-call services can react quickly to disruptions and incidents, making the roads in the canton of Valais even safer.
Key Facts
- Project duration: 2016 to 2019
- Challenge: Complete overhaul of the higher-level control system, harmonization of the entire system visualizations and integration of the existing systems
- Services: Planning and execution
- Technology: MyTunnel - technical control system
Renewal of the tunnel control system Lötschberg Base Tunnel (CH)
If Bergauer sets the course, everyone is on time!
Delays and service interruptions in local and long-distance public transport are among the biggest annoyances of daily life - whether on the way to work or on vacation. To ensure that BLS AG's trains continue to arrive punctually and reliably through Switzerland's second longest tunnel - the Lötschberg Base Tunnel - Bergauer AG was commissioned to renew the tunnel control technology.
As a specialist for control and safety systems as well as for traffic control and building technology, Bergauer AG was the perfect partner for the project. From 2011 to 2013, the tunnel control technology of the 34.7km long Lötschberg tunnel was renewed and raised to another technical level.
The conversion had to be carried out in parallel with ongoing operations, a challenge that could only be topped by the complex real-time processing of large volumes of data, the shortest possible response times in the operation of the system and the complex redundancy concept.
The innovative control system for tunnel infrastructures
The technical control system MyTunnel is characterized by:
- A very high availability (99.999 %).
- The design of the system for 600,000 data points in real-time databases with central data storage
- Transaction rates of 1,200 messages / second
- OPC-UA middleware
- Web visualization (Thin Client)
- Programming of 350 PLC system controls for various technical infrastructures such as pumps and lighting, ventilation of evacuation rooms and technical operation centers, power supply (50 Hz), fire detection, doors between tunnel cross passages, evacuation and access control as well as video and loudspeaker systems
Success all along the line
With its distinctive technical know-how and 25 years of cumulative experience in control and instrumentation technology, Bergauer AG was able to convince its customer - BLS AG - and generate numerous benefits.
The project was characterized above all by:
- The installation of a central control system over 34.7km of tunnel.
- The uniform "look & feel" of the visualization for the operators
- The monitoring and operational optimization of all technical infrastructures
- The development of preventive measures to avoid system failures
- The extension of the usable service life
- The establishment of a dynamic intervention management
Key Facts
- Project duration: 2011 to 2013
- Challenge: Renewal of the tunnel control system during ongoing operation
- Services: Planning and execution
- Technology: MyTunnel - technical control system