Hexagon helps Chattanooga improve road safety

Using a machine learning-based model, multisensory data and HxGN Connect, researchers and government organisations can analyse and visualise past accidents and patterns, predict future roadway crashes and coordinate resources to mitigate impacts.

UTC’s Center for urban informatics and progress (CUIP) is leading the project with the goal of studying traffic incidents to see when and where they are happening and identify related variables. Based on this information, CUIP has developed a predictive model that provides a 24-hour forecast that can be used to inform resource planning and deployment. HxGN Connect serves as a conduit for data sharing and collaboration among the involved organisations across the city – from emergency services to the department of transportation – enabling each entity to access the model, see the results and plan ahead.

“Our ultimate goal is reducing response times to traffic incidents and creating safer roadways,” said Austin Harris, who manages the smart city and connected vehicle testbed for CUIP. “HxGN Connect allows us to provide that data in a way where multiple entities can collaborate in real-time, with full situational awareness. It has allowed us to really focus on the research, which we know will have a meaningful impact on the people of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.”

Within HxGN Connect, each organisation can view the predictive model and use tools to chat, video conference or create channels for particularly dangerous intersections to plan actions. The objective is to make those intersections much safer for the traveling public.

“Hexagon is proud to partner with UTC as they work to improve road safety in the City of Chattanooga,” said Kalyn Sims, chief technology officer for safety and security, Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. “HxGN Connect is a unique solution that enables disparate organisations to collaborate, and this project is a great example of turning shared information into actionable results that will improve quality of life for residents.”

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