What is STREAMS
Smart Freeways?

Transmax's STREAMS Smart Freeways solution is a sophisticated suite of freeway management tools that is enabling road operators to tackle congestion and make people's road journeys safer and more reliable. Transport departments have seen outstanding results using STREAMS Smart Freeways. 

The solution is a comprehensive suite of algorithms that prevent flow breakdown and accidents before they happen. It also provides tools to respond to incidents, if they occur, to get people moving again. 

Transmax’s solution coordinates variable speed signs, ramp signals, dynamic message signs, lane control, and travel time signs that respond in real time to whatever is happening on the freeway.  

Variable Message Signs


An electronic sign on a road that displays real-time travel information to inform travellers about road conditions such as incidents ahead, lane closures, congestion, travel times, adverse weather, changed traffic conditions and alternative route options.

Variable Speed Limit Signs


Variable speed limit signs advise drivers when speeds have been changed from the prescribed limit, in response to a known incident or a change in traffic conditions. STREAMS can automatically display a supporting message on surrounding variable message signs. Traffic management signs inform drivers if a lane is open or closed and can also allow speed limited to be changed to suit traffic conditions.

Traffic monitoring cameras


Integration with CCTV allows road operators to view cameras directly from the STREAMS graphical user interface to view real-time traffic conditions and respond to incidents on the road network.

Ramp signals


Traffic lights at freeway on-ramps are used to control the rate at which vehicles merge on freeways. Ramp signals control traffic flow and improve safety on freeways.

Vehicle detection sensors


A vehicle detection system installed in the road to detect vehicle presence and movement and transmit real-time data to traffic management system STREAMS.

Travel time signs


Travel time signs on freeways provide drivers with real-time information on expected travel times to approaching freeway exits.

Travel time signs


Travel time signs on freeways provide drivers with real-time information on expected travel times to approaching freeway exits.

How does STREAMS
Smart Freeways work?

STREAMS treats the freeway network as an active system where congestion and incidents can be prevented via the careful control of roadside equipment. It uses sophisticated algorithms to precisely manage the triggers of flow breakdown: vehicle platooning, dynamic formation of bottlenecks, turbulence at merges, clogged exit ramps, phantom shockwaves, poor weather and delayed response to incidents.

Some of these techniques have been used before but Smart Freeways supports a cooperative and strategic approach that manages journeys from end-to-end. STREAMS integrates robust traffic detection, highly advanced dynamic metering algorithms and complementary traffic management components that work together to prevent the breakdown of freeways and improve predictability. 

 
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The cost of congestion cannot be underestimated.

Congestion cost the USA more than $70.4 billion in 2023,
a 15% increase from 2022*.

STREAMS Smart Freeways is an exceptionally cost-effective investment. 
Reducing congestion on highways means people and goods experience more efficient road journeys,
which in turn supports the economy.

*Inrix 2024

Managing congestion with STREAMS Smart Freeways COORDINATED

RAMP METERING STREAMS Smart Freeways responds to real-time traffic by manipulating ramp metering rates on a corridor-wide basis. It controls and coordinates all entry ramps along a route to manage the mainline freeway at a number of critical bottleneck locations to disperse on-ramp vehicle platoons and ensure traffic flow is evenly distributed into the merge area. It also facilitates faster recovery of the freeway after congestion caused by a crash or unplanned event. Coordinated ramp metering is the key to addressing congestion.

The solution uses sophisticated ALINEA HERO ramp metering algorithms:

ALINEA manages local metering to fix congestion near the on-ramp

HERO balances equity of access and demand across the network. COORDINATED RAMP METERING How this works DYNAMIC VARIABLE SPEED LIMITS (DVSL) How this works DYNAMIC VARIABLE

SPEED LIMITS (DVSL) Research shows that reducing speed limits can shift traffic patterns and stabilise flow.

However, to be successful, control must be perfectly timed and coordinated with ramp meters that simultaneously adjust to the change in traffic state.

DVSL is a unique algorithm that is specifically designed to work with ALINEA HERO. There is no other variable speed limit algorithm that integrates with a ramp metering algorithm.

TRAVEL TIME ADVISORY How this works STREAMS Smart Freeways calculates motorway travel time using vehicle detector or Bluetooth data and shows it on signs along and around the freeway.

Signs ahead of decision points provide data about alternate routes to popular destinations. This enables automatic load balancing on the road network which helps to relieve congestion by changing driver behavior. TRAVEL TIME

ADVISORY VMS

manages incidents and events How STREAMS Smart Freeways EVENT
MANAGEMENT How this works Event Management STREAMS Smart Freeways uses a rules-based engine to manage speed limits, lane closures, variable message signs and ramp metering sites in the event of freeway incidents, planned events and adverse weather conditions.

This feature of STREAMS allows traffic operators to coordinate multiple devices so they can close lanes and change signs in response to an event. With STREAMS Smart Freeways, major incident responses such as the closure of a freeway can be implemented in under 10 seconds. AUTOMATIC
WEATHER RESPONSE How this works Automatic
Weather Response Weather sensors can be integrated with STREAMS, detect heavy rain, poor visibility or surface friction and automatically lower the speed limit and put warnings on variable message signs.

Success of STREAMS
Smart Freeways in Australia

STREAMS Smart Freeways is delivering outstanding results for government road agencies and improving the journeys of millions of people. In Australia, Victoria’s most congested freeway has seen outstanding results from STREAMS Smart Freeways.

 
Smart Freeways
Smart Freeways
Smart Freeways
 
 
 

STREAMS Lane Use Management System active on the M80 Freeway

US trial of STREAMS  
Smart Freeways

STREAMS Smart Freeways was trialled by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) as part of a managed freeways Smart 25 pilot project along I-25 in the Denver metro area. CDOT worked with Transmax, WSP and VicRoads to undertake this project. The aim of the pilot was to address recurring congestion and unreliability on this vital link between Denver’s central business district and the Southeast Denver Tech Center. Read more US trial of STREAMS Smart Freeways Get in touch with Transmax to find out more about the trial of STREAMS Smart Freeways in Colorado. The aim of the trial was to demonstrate the effectiveness of managed freeways, specifically the coordinated ramp metering approach, to control traffic flows within the corridor to reduce congestion, improve safety, and increase the overall efficiency of freeway traffic flows. While the full STREAMS Smart Freeways solution integrates a range of tools to achieve maximum benefit, CDOT’s trial of STREAMS coordinated and adaptive ramp metering showed promising results.

The SMART 25 Pilot was deployed along northbound I-25 from RidgeGate Parkway in Douglas County to University Boulevard in Denver, connecting downtown Denver to the Southeast Denver business corridor. The trial completed in mid-2022. FIND OUT MORE
i25_CDOT_Transmax

Start your journey
with STREAMS Smart Freeways  

If you are hoping to address congestion through coordinated ramp metering or achieve maximum benefit from the full STREAMS Smart Freeways solution, Transmax can work with road departments to integrate the managed freeways features that will most effectively meet your needs.

Smart Freeways

Coordinated Ramp Metering

  • Vehicle detection
  • On-ramp metering
  • Video monitoring
Smart Freeways

Additional Congestion Reduction

  • Travel time advisory
  • Variable message signs
  • Dynamic variable speed limits
Smart Freeways

Active Event Management

  • Event management support
  • Lane use management signals
  • Automatic weather response
  • Advanced freeway-to-freeway management

About Transmax

Transmax is the solutions provider of the international award-winning ITS platform STREAMS. We exist to improve people’s lives by providing industry-leading transport solutions and help move millions of commuters around road networks every day.

Transmax is a government-owned entity supporting transport departments and road operators to achieve safer and more reliable road journeys. 

We offer customers systems engineering, software design and development, along with a range of consulting and support services throughout the entire ITS lifecycle.

With 50 years of ITS experience, we help customers realise the community and economic benefits of optimising transport networks by providing smarter, more sustainable ITS solutions.

MORE ABOUT TRANSMAX

Contact Us

 

Get in touch with Transmax to find out more about STREAMS Smart Freeways and how your transport department and community can benefit from reduced congestion and more reliable road journeys.




    STREAMS Smart FreewaysCoordinated ramp meteringRequest a demo of the solutionSet up a meetingFind out more about the Colorado trial of STREAMS Smart FreewaysGeneral query


    Address congestionMore reliable journeys for motoristsReduce travel times in peak periodsImprove road safetyMove goods more efficientlyEconomic savingsReduce infrastructure spendUsing a smart ITS solution as an alternative to building costly road infrastructure

    STREAMS SMART FREEWAYS

    How does it work
    Congestion Management
    Incident Management
    Success in Australia
    US Trial

    STREAMS MEDIA CENTRE

    STREAMS Smart Freeways brochure
    Case study
    Corporate profile

     

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