Integral Blue (IB) was recently selected to deploy and integrate an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) along the I-75 freeway.

This phase of the construction included 5.5 miles of reconstruction and realignment of I-75 mainline and ramps.  A future High Occupancy Vehicle lane was built, replacing structures located north of 13 Mile Road to north of 8 Mile Road in the Cities of Madison Heights, Royal Oak and Hazel Park.

IB’s role in the I-75 design/build project was testing and integrating various ITS devices  as well as installing the fiber optic network that facilitates the ITS technology. These ITS devices improve traffic efficiency and mitigate accidents as they are able to collect crucial traffic information and transmit it to MDOT’s Transportation Operation Centers (TOCs) in real time.

ITS components included in the I-75 design/build project include but are not limited to:

Microwave Vehicle Detection System

Microwave vehicle detectors are devices mounted on top of poles that detect and gather data for MDOT, such as lane volume, occupancy, and speed data.

Fiber Optic Cable and Hardware Assembly

IB terminated and tested fiber optic cable along I-75. These network components are responsible for transferring data from ITS field equipment to MDOT TOCs.

Surveillance System

Another crucial component of the ITS network is the surveillance system. Camera field devices collect videos  from the roadway and transmit the footage to a large video wall in the TOC facility in Downtown Detroit. This real time data is used by TOC operators to dispatch emergency responders or take specific action where necessary.

Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) Components

RWIS sensors detect environmental data such as pavement conditions, temperature, humidity, wind and visibility. This data is used to help MDOT maintain safe conditions along the freeway. For example, decisions can be made to send out road crews or send warnings to dynamic message signs.

• The following RWIS sensors were installed along the I-75 freeway:
• Atmospheric Sensor, Air Temperature/Relative Humid
• Atmospheric Sensor, Rem
• Atmospheric Sensor, Ultrasonic Wind
• Atmospheric Sensor, Visibility

Dynamic Message Signs

These electronic signs are used to display warnings instantaneously and alert drivers of weather conditions, road incidents or construction.

Connected Vehicle (CV) Road Side Units (RSUs)

Connected Vehicle (CV) is a bleeding edge technology that facilities messaging between MDOT infrastructure and CV equipped vehicles.

IB deployed Road Side Units (RSUs) along I-75, which are the DSRC communication devices used to transmit messages to equipped vehicles.

Remote Processing Unit for Curve Warning System

This remote processing unit is a sensor located before a ramp with a sharp curve in the roadway that requires drivers to decrease speed.

A sensor detects the speed and volume of vehicles. If a car is traveling at an unsafe speed, flashing lights are activated through a dynamic messaging system, warning the driver of an upcoming curve so they have enough time to safely decelerate.

Trailer Ground Enclosure

IB currently stores CV equipment in a solar paneled trailer enclosure. This allows MDOT to deploy CV applications and review how CV equipment works in a construction zone without needing access to a power source.

Ongoing Modernization for I-75

The I-75 modernization is an ongoing construction project with even more improvements to come in 2021. After participating in the first three construction phases, IB hopes to continue working on future segments of the I-75 Modernization megaproject.