Preparing for the ‘Moment of Totality’

How Oregon’s DOT is Readying Drivers for First Total US Solar Eclipse in 38 Years.

The Great American Eclipse is almost upon us and everyone from NASA scientists to amateur stargazers are feverishly preparing for the big event, the first of its kind in the continental US since 1979. While sales of special eclipse glasses are booming and hotel rooms in cities across the so-called “path of totality” are being snapped up by out-of-towners, state and local governments are preparing for a far more terrestrial issue: traffic.

Many of the locations on the path of totality – where the moon will completely cover the sun and its atmosphere for up to three minutes on August 21 – are typically low-congestion rural areas that rarely receive media attention, let alone the status of tourist hotspot. It is these areas, however, that will be some of the most desirable viewing destinations for eclipse enthusiasts, which presents a problem for bodies like the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Oregon is one of 14 US states that will see a total solar eclipse. It is also the first state in its path, starting at 10:15 am PDT / 1:15 pm EDT (enter your zip code here to find out when and for how long your city will be in its path). And with so few roadways that could serve as alternative routes to help relieve the impending congestion, particularly in the area between Bend and Madras, Oregon, which is directly in the path of the eclipse, ODOT sought a solution that leveraged smart technology.

As well as recommending that motorists drive safely, carpool where possible and avoid unnecessary errands on the big day, ODOT used iPeMS, an analytics software from Iteris in partnership with data provider HERE, which creates visualizations of vehicle speed and congestion to help measure the reliability of Oregon’s roadways and study methods to help traffic flow more freely.

Leveraging the power of analytics

Having used iPeMS for over a year, ODOT called on HERE and Iteris to find ways to leverage the data in its statewide efforts to prepare for and manage the influx of traffic, avoid potential public safety issues caused by people being stranded in cars for sustained periods, as well as relieve pressure on the state’s emergency services.

Three months prior to the eclipse, ODOT, HERE and Iteris discussed ways to harness the software in new ways in preparation for the event. And as the date approaches, several new features have been enabled to support ODOT’s efforts, including:

• Real-time data – HERE provides real-time information rather than the historical data ODOT would normally be limited to. iPeMS now allows ODOT to compare real-time with historical data to highlight congestion anomalies, which means problems can be pinpointed faster across many more miles of roadway.
• Traffic animation – changes in traffic can now be displayed in five-minute intervals. This allows ODOT operations and scenario planners to see the impact of the days leading up to the eclipse and make real-time adjustments.

With the support of iPeMS, ODOT has defined 80 routes to monitor during the eclipse, which it will watch closely to track changes in travel times, while alerting the public to ensure they make it through roadways that typically see a lot less traffic. As part of this, ODOT has a number of methods to ensure quick and effective communication with road users on August 21:

• Dynamic messaging signs – installed along Oregon’s highways, dozens of dynamic messaging signs will alert drivers already on the road to any upcoming congestion or blocked routes.
• TripCheck – ODOT is also encouraging drivers in the area to its TripCheck website, which provides roadside camera images and detailed information about traffic congestion, incidents and weather conditions using HERE data.
• Social media – ODOT will also utilize social media to help spread information about traffic impacts. Drivers will be updated via their Twitter feeds on a minute-by-minute basis to help avoid any potential traffic disasters.

ODOT’s public information officer has also been trained to use iPeMS and will be proactive on the day of the event.

Smart cities are safe cities

Traffic volumes across Oregon are expected to be substantially higher than normal, even on top of it being a record year in traffic for the state, which is the first location in the country where skygazers will be able to watch the solar eclipse. As ODOT is demonstrating, communication with drivers and the ability to quickly analyze data is key to keeping everyone safe and understanding how to improve traffic.

This is particularly true for unique events like the solar eclipse, but it also applies to other more mundane events like changes in weather or major construction work. With the historic nature of the Great American Eclipse, ODOT is showing how proper preparation and the use of smart technology can help prepare for, manage and mitigate issues so that Oregon’s citizens do not experience traffic disasters.

To learn more about how Iteris can assist your city or state in harnessing the power of analytics and performance measurement to create smarter communities, visit Iteris.com or contact us here.

You may also read HERE's extensive blog on the upcoming total eclipse here.