Project of the Week - WSDOT Software Engineers Upgrade Seattle Traffic Computer
Software upgrades will allow future expansion of traffic data in the greater Puget Sound area. |
WSDOT’s software engineers are in the process of updating the computer system that controls the WSDOT traffic map, freeway cameras, ramp meters, electronic message signs and travel times in the greater Puget Sound area. The current mainframe computer is over 15 years old and in need of replacement. The computer was cutting edge technology when it was first used to power WSDOT’s traveler information systems in the Seattle traffic management center. Today the computer handles eight times more data then when it was first turned on and has no more room to expand traveler information in the greater Puget Sound region. The new software will allow for future expansions including expanded traffic data on I-5 through Everett in spring of 2008.
Before this switch can happen, WSDOT software engineers will put the new system through a series of rigorous tests in the next few months to make sure everything is in working order. During these tests, traffic data will not be available between Southcenter and Factoria along I-405 on the WSDOT Web site. These sections of the color coded traffic map on the Web will appear grey and travel times between Bellevue and Federal Way, and Bellevue and Tukwila will not be available. However, camera views on this route will still be visible. All testing will occur during off-peak travel times and tests will be delayed or rescheduled in the event of a significant traffic delay, weather event or major collision. WSDOT software engineers plan to finish testing and switch over to the new system by the first of the year.
The “
Seattle area traffic page” that displays much of WSDOT’s traffic data including the color coded traffic map receives on average about 600,000 page views per day.
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Incident of the Week - WSDOT Maintenance Crews Team to Clean Miles-Long Spill
Maintenance crews use absorbent materials and sand to clean an oily substance from SR 14. |
WSDOT's Maintenance and Incident Response crews are often called on to deal with spills on the highway. It wasn’t the usual type of spill on October 23, when a semi-truck hauling de-inking oil on State Route (SR) 14 began losing the oily substance near Washougal. (De-inking oil is used to clean printer ink-cartridges.) A valve had come loose, leaking the oil onto the highway. The incident began in the late morning in Clark County. The truck continued to travel SR 14, while spilling de-inking oil along the way, until reaching Benton County.
WSDOT crews from Bingen and Goldendale, along the trucks' path, contacted the Maintenance supervisor in Prosser to alert him of the semi-truck traveling north. The three WSDOT Maintenance areas coordinated efforts with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and local law enforcement officials to locate the semi-truck and prevent it from traveling further on the highway.
Once emergency officials were able to halt the semi-truck, WSDOT verified with the trucking company that the spilled material was neither toxic nor hazardous. Crews then began treating the oil spills on the highway with specialized absorbents and river sand. Crews from Washougal, Bingen, Goldendale and Prosser worked together to treat the de-inking oil spills on nearly 50 miles of the highway. Coordination between WSDOT crews, WSP and local law enforcement agencies helped locate the leaking semi-truck and clean up the oil spills without further incidents.
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Update of Projects Under Way
SR 20 Anacortes - Drivers have a new signal directing traffic through the Thompson Road intersection on SR 20 near Anacortes. Dry weather allowed crews to paint the permanent lane markings at the intersection and turn the signal on October 23. The signal is expected to improve safety for the thousands of drivers who use the intersection every day, especially those that turn on and off the highway at Thompson Road. The signal will be interconnected with three other nearby signals stretching from Sharpes Corner to Reservation Road.
SR 167 Kent - If weather stays dry, come Monday, October 29, drivers will see a newly rebuilt and widened off-ramp from SR 167 to SR 516 (Willis Street) in downtown Kent. WSDOT engineers expect the work will create a smoother transition off of SR 167, which will reduce the risk of rear-end collisions. In this project crews are rebuilding several ramps between Renton and Auburn to improve safety and relieve congestion. In summer 2007 crews completed widening SR 167 between 15th Street SW and 15th Street NW in Auburn to add a northbound high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
SR 401 Nasalle - Crews completed repairs to the water line at the SR 401, Dismal Nitch Rest Area. The rest area facilities reopened October 25. On Oct. 16, a major water line broke, shutting down the facilities. The break in the water line was located deep in the ground. With the assistance of a company specializing in difficult to find leaks, crews found the problem, excavated the line, ordered parts and made repairs. The Dismal Nitch Rest Area is located one mile east of the Astoria - Megler Bridge on SR 401.
I-405 Renton - Next week (October 29 - November 3), crews will grade and pave the highway shoulder on southbound SR 167. Alternatively, if rain does not allow paving, crews will continue electrical installations in the southbound HOV lane. The I-405 Renton Widening Project, officially known as the I-405/I-5 to SR 169 Stage 1 - Widening Project, is the first stage of improvements on I-405 between I-5 and State Route 169 (Maple Valley Highway). This work will help relieve congestion at one of the worst I-405 bottlenecks by adding lanes and improving merging conditions for the drive in and out of Renton and Tukwila.
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Announcements
Safety Concerns Close Murray Morgan Bridge
After informing City of Tacoma officials, WSDOT announced on October 23 that the 94-year old Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma is closed to all vehicular traffic effective immediately. Traffic is routing over the nearby State Route 509 bridge. After conducting a comprehensive inspection of the bridge, WSDOT bridge engineers found structural deterioration and determined that the bridge must be closed to vehicular traffic to ensure public safety. WSDOT will still allow pedestrians and bicyclists to use the bridge for now.
The 1,748-foot-long Murray Morgan Bridge, formerly called the 11th Street Bridge, spans the Thea Foss Waterway. As early as 1997, the city and WSDOT have been in discussions about the future of this corridor and whether to replace, rehabilitate or remove this structure. In 2002, WSDOT reduced the bridge from four lanes to two lanes and imposed a 10-ton weight limit to prohibit all heavy vehicles, except emergency response vehicles, from crossing the bridge. The exemption for emergency response vehicles is no longer allowed due to the current condition of the bridge.
WSF CEO Anderson Announces Retirement
Washington State Ferries (WSF) CEO, W. Michael Anderson, on October 24 announced his retirement after 34 years of service. Anderson began his career in 1973 as a ticket seller. Rising steadily through the ranks, he was tapped in 2004 for the top post by then-Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald. Prior to appointment as CEO, he served as Director of Operations.
Under Anderson’s leadership, WSF emerged as a leader in environmental stewardship. WSF shifted to low-sulfur fuel in 2004 and has continued to test ultra-low sulfur and biodiesel fuels. Working with University of Washington scientists, WSF has developed award-winning marine habitat restoration techniques. After the events of 9/11 Anderson was instrumental in the implementation of WSF’s Safety Management System, now considered a model for vessel system operators nationwide.
Anderson will serve until late December, 2007, after which he will explore opportunities in the marine transportation industry.
AMTRAK Cascades Trainsets Repaired and Back in Service
The last of the Talgo-manufactured railcars used in the operation of Amtrak Cascades service between Eugene, Oregon and Bellingham, WA returned to service on October 21, after undergoing repairs at the maintenance facility in Seattle. All Amtrak Cascades train schedules will be effective with Amtrak’s Fall / Winter Timetable that takes effect on October 29.
In early August, small cracks were discovered in welds of the upper portion of the car body structure suspension support system of several cars. WSDOT, Amtrak and Talgo agreed to remove the trains from service as a precaution. Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak under contracts with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation. Under contract, Talgo has responsibility for the maintenance of the trainsets, and these maintenance operations are performed in Seattle.
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Gray Notebook Highlight - Before and After Safety Study
Each year, WSDOT completes a variety of highway safety projects ranging from adding turn lanes and traffic signals, to installing median barriers and rumble strips. Our fourth annual "Before and After" study examined the results of 47 safety projects to determine their effectiveness on reducing the number and severity of collisions. These 47 projects resulted in a 12 percent reduction in the number of all types of collisions (789 compared to 894) and a 27 percent reduction in all injury and fatal collisions (283 compared to 386). More details on this topic and other key issues can be found in the Highway Safety Annual Update of the June 2007 Gray Notebook: www.wsdot.wa.gov/accountability.
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October Open Houses, Meetings and Events
29, Monday, Noon, Completion Ceremony, SR 270 Pullman to Idaho Widening Project - Pullman: WSDOT is hosting a ceremony to mark completion of highway improvements for the SR 270 Pullman to Idaho State Line Added Lanes project. WSDOT widened the highway from two lanes to four, with a center turn-lane. Location: Four miles east of Pullman on the SR 270 project site, at milepost 8.5, one mile past the Sunshine Road intersection. RSVPs are encouraged by calling 509-324-6000.
30, Tuesday, 11:15 a.m., Opening Ceremony, I-405, Kirkland Nickel Stage 1 project - Kirkland: Join WSDOT and other state and local officials in a ceremony to celebrate completion of the first 2003 "Nickel" funded, I-405 Corridor Project. The project opened one new lane in each direction of I-405 between NE 85th and NE 124th Street, restored two wetland sites, improved fish passage at Forbes Creek, and added noise barriers. Location: Northwest quadrant of the I-405 interchange at NE 116th Street. Parking will be allowed at Dania Home & Office Interiors, 12230 NE 116th Street, in Kirkland.
For more details, please visit the WSDOT Calendar of Events.
Weekly Report Archive
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