SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOG DETECTION SYSTEM FOR THE COOPER RIVER BRIDGE

NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

As the fog descends on the Cooper River in North Charleston South Carolina, crossing the Cooper River Bridge becomes a dangerous situation. The visibility on the bridge is so limited, that measures had to be taken to upgrade the existing fog detection system and replace it with a new fog detection and Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS).

One of the most critical aspects of an ATMS system is the communications link. The communications equipment must be able to withstand harsh environmental conditions and operate flawlessly for extended periods of time. Yet it must offer ease of installation and meet accepted industry standards for further project expansion and upgrades.

The communications network for this project was designed by Intelligent Communications Consultants Corporation (ICC), Montgomery Alabama. The scope of their design consisted of deploying a communications backbone of singlemode fiber optics over which several different bridge-borne sensors and traffic monitoring devices will communicate.

System requirements called for sending information from a weather station, and data from five fog detection devices, to a Main Control Center (MCC) hub. The enhanced communications network also had to control the flow of information to seven, strategically located, variable message signs, in addition, provide pan, tilt, and zoom control to six video cameras from the Bridge Control Center (BCC).

In order to accomplish these communications tasks ICC chose RFL. IMUX 2000 Intelligent T1 Multiplexer. The IMUX 2000 allows for the collection and dissemination of information throughout this simple network. An IMUX 2000 configured with the appropriate 64 kbps channel modules for RS232 communications was integrated into the MCC. The opposing end of the system is located in the BCC and consists of identical channel modules.

The IMUX 2000 has the capability to interface and accommodate dozens of different traffic monitoring devices. The IMUX 2000 can directly interface singlemode fiber optics, and can communicate conservatively at distances of 40 miles from node to node using optional laser optical heads. The IMUX 2000 has also been fitted with a voice service channel with Automatic Ring Down (ARD) capabilities for this project. The ARD feature will help to facilitate equipment maintenance for the DOT.

This is just another example how RFL is working with Transportation Authorities to create safer roadways.

For more information about RFL Electronics Inc. or how we can help you make your highways a safer place to travel, please call our factory.