GridSmart 3.2 boasts many new features to further enhance its industry-leading, “more-with-less” value proposition.  One of the most visible new features is the Replay feature that allows users to record and playback image data complete with information on zone presence and signal state.  Even in the replay mode, users are still able to take advantage of the virtual pan-tilt-zoom feature and other standard GridSmart capabilities.  The Replay feature is useful for traffic engineers wishing to review traffic patterns and driver behavior during certain times of day, special events or other incidents.

The optional GridSmart Data Module has improved report templates, as well as a new Incident Report to provide statistics on illegal turning movements and red-light runs.  This data provides valuable insight into how intersection safety may be improved through signage, modified signal timings, or enforcement.  Also available in the GridSmart Data Module is a Raw Data Export feature that allows GridSmart data to be exported in an open format for use within another system for traffic simulation or modeling.  Another new feature improving usability for the GridSmart Data Module is automatic export to USB from the GridSmart Central Processing Unit (CPU), as well as automatic data-import from USB within the GridSmart Data Module.

To improve remote management capabilities of non-networked locations, a new “Publish to USB” feature allows users to make changes to the intersection configuration remotely and publish to a USB drive for later updating of the GridSmart CPU.  Other features include self diagnostics of both software and hardware, a visual phase information widget, and a self-verifying installer to insure the validity and compatibility of all system updates.

People from over 30 different countries watched demonstrations last week at Intertraffic. Want to see a demo yourself? – watch one here.

Previewed at Intertraffic last week in Amsterdam, visitors from over 30 countries visited the Aldis stand to see the new features available in version 3.2 of the GridSmart solution.  GridSmart is a best-in-class video detection solution using new three-dimensional object tracking technology to go beyond traditional detection alternatives – enabling greater functionality at a lower total cost of ownership.

In addition to enhanced detection functionality, GridSmart 3.2 boasts many new features to further enhance its industry-leading, “more-with-less” value proposition.  One of the most visible new features is the Replay feature that allows users to record and playback image data complete with information on zone presence and signal state.  Even in the replay mode, users are still able to take advantage of the virtual pan-tilt-zoom feature and other standard GridSmart capabilities.  The Replay feature is useful for traffic engineers wishing to review traffic patterns and driver behavior during certain times of day, special events or other incidents.

The optional GridSmart Data Module has new improved report templates, as well as a new Incident Report to provide statistics on illegal turning movements and red-light runs.  This data provides valuable insight into how intersection safety may be improved through signage, modified signal timings, or enforcement.  Also available in the GridSmart Data Module is a Raw Data Export feature that allows GridSmart data to be exported in an open format for use within another system for traffic simulation or modeling.  Another new feature improving usability for the GridSmart Data Module is automatic export to USB from the GridSmart Central Processing Unit (CPU), as well as automatic data-import from USB within the GridSmart Data Module.

To improve remote management capabilities of non-networked locations, a new “Publish to USB” feature allows users to make changes to the intersection configuration remotely and publish to a USB drive for later updating of the GridSmart CPU.  Other features include self diagnostics of both software and hardware, a visual phase information widget, and a self-verifying installer to insure the validity and compatibility of all system updates.

Dr. Jeff Price, Director of Software Engineering for Aldis, states “This release validates everything that we believe as a Company.  As we saw last week in Amsterdam, GridSmart is a proven solution with worldwide appeal.  It is truly changing customers’ perceptions of video vehicle detection.  When you pay attention to your customers and their needs, it shows.”

You could say that it was the attractiveness of our booth, or the superb pre-show marketing efforts, but it really comes down to having a truly unique and innovative product that satisfies customer needs unlike any other product on the market.  GridSmart – we built it, and customers are coming.

Several of the Aldis team will be traveling to Amsterdam next week to showcase the latest release of GridSmart, version 3.2, which contains a number of new and exciting features such as the Virtual DVR, enhanced reporting within the Data Module, and more.

Aldis will be located at Stand 9.101, and plans for a large gathering of current and future customers to visit.

We hope to see you there!

From our friends at ITS America:

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced today that he will introduce a three-month extension of highway and transit programs tomorrow.  The extension will not include changes to current transportation policy according to Mica, who released a statement saying “Tomorrow, I will introduce a short-term extension through June 30th to ensure continuity of current programs while I and House Republicans continue to work toward a responsible transportation bill that provides long-term certainty, reduces the size of government, eliminates earmarks, and is fully paid for.  We continue to believe that linking energy and infrastructure is the responsible thing to do in order to meet our long-term needs.”

ITS America attended a breakfast with Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) this morning, where she continued to press the House to take up the Senate’s two-year reauthorization bill.  Chairman Boxer expanded on her comments in The Hill today, where she called the Senate’s two-year proposal “the biggest jobs bill that Congress will consider this year.”  According to Boxer, “Nearly three-quarters of the Senate — both Democrats and Republicans — have spoken loud and clear: We need to pass a bipartisan two-year bill that funds transportation programs at current levels and saves or creates nearly 3 million jobs.  We found a clear path forward with our bipartisan surface transportation legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21 <http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1813es/pdf/BILLS-112s1813es.pdf> ), which passed 74-22 in the Senate last week.  I urge the House of Representatives to take up and pass this bipartisan legislation…”.

So if you’re having a difficult time believing everything I put on this blog or elsewhere on the website – don’t.  Listen to our customers in our growing list of Case Studies, or watch this video compilation of customers around the world speaking out on GridSmart.

After months of work and several weeks of amendment debates, the Senate voted today by a 74-22 margin to pass its two-year, $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.  The action now shifts to the U.S. House of Representatives, whose leaders are still trying to find a pathway forward on the five-year, $260 billion American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act before the current authorization expires at the end of this month.

The House bill, which was approved by the House T&I Committee, has failed to garner enough votes for final passage on the House floor despite an agreement to eliminate controversial provisions which would have removed transit, CMAQ and research funding from the Highway Trust Fund.  While House T&I Chairman John Mica (R-FL) is continuing to push for a five-year bill, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has also suggested the possibility of passing the Senate’s two-year bill “or something like it.”  Also floating around the rumor mill is the prospect of the House passing a short-term extension which would push the debate into April or May, providing additional time to negotiate the necessary changes to build a majority coalition.

According to ITS America President Scott Belcher, “The Senate has taken a huge step today in passing a bipartisan transportation bill that includes significant policy reforms and will help advance the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems and other 21st century solutions.  Chairman Boxer, Ranking Member Inhofe, and other Senate leaders have worked extremely diligently to craft this bipartisan proposal, and ITS America looks forward to continuing to work with both the Senate and House to pass a final bill that will provide critical funding and incentivize the deployment of smart technology solutions across our nation’s transportation network.”

The U.S. House, in recess this week, is still debating options for moving its five year, $260 billion American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act before the current authorization expires on 31 March.  The House Republican Conference met last week to discuss the bill, which was approved by the House T&I Committee but has failed to garner enough support to pass the full House despite removal of provisions that would have shifted transit, CMAQ, and research funding from the Highway Trust Fund over to the General Fund.  Following the meeting, House T&I Chairman John Mica (R-FL) said that “House Leaders and I agree that the five-year transportation measure approved by the Committee in February is the best option for a job-creating bill to improve our infrastructure.”  However, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) followed shortly by saying his current plan is to bring up the Senate version of the bill “or something like it” should the current House proposal fall short of the needed votes.

Thanks to ITS America for keeping us updated on the latest happenings in Washington.

At Aldis, we don’t get quite as excited as Navin R. Johnson.  GridSmart is obviously used to being in print and getting attention due to its growing popularity, but it’s always nice to see a new story.  Check out the latest issue of Traffic Technology International, as it features a story on GridSmart’s two-year trial with VicRoads in Australia.

You can download this story from our website, and you can also view some recent news media coverage on the same system.

Had Staples not taken the idea first, the concept of the “Easy Button” would have been a great marketing campaign for GridSmart.  Our software team works incredibly hard to make things incredibly easy for our users.  One of the philosophies recently stated by Dr. Jeff Price, who leads our software team, was “The only thing our users should have to understand is how an intersection operates…the software should be so intuitive that there is no learning required.”  I am paraphrasing (and butchering) the exact words, but you get the point.

Making something functional is easy, making something so simple that it requires little/no training requires planning and skill.

Click here, or punch the Easy Button below, to watch a short 2-minute demo of GridSmart.