Transportation Management Center Simulator

Caltrans Transportation Management Center Simulator at UC Irvine Concept of Operations & Design California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California May 2005 TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) VISION The UC Irvine TMC simulator will provide a realistic TMC training environment that will allow TMC personnel the opportunity to develop and hone the skills required for managing traffic infrastructure, enabling them to reduce congestion, handle emergencies, and improve safety for California motorists and the general public PURPOSE AND SCOPE A new TMC simulator is being constructed at UC Irvine This simulator will marry TMC simulation capabilities previously developed at Cal Poly, a new CHP CAD simulator, and a current version of the Caltrans ATMS operating off of data provided by a Paramics traffic simulation GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Deployment of the UC Irvine will provide a next-step in TMC simulation to support Caltrans TMC operations Expected Outcomes; The TMC simulator shall: − Improve Caltrans and CHP TMC staff’s ability to utilize the Caltrans ATMS through hands-on practice during training − Improve TMC staff’s ability to actively utilize changeable message signs to manage incidents; TMC operators will see the effect of CMS messages on traffic conditions − Improve TMC staff’s ability to utilize support systems, including telephone, facsimile, TMC incident boards, and email to manage incidents − Improve safety and traffic conditions in California through more effective TMC operation Expected System Characteristics; The TMC simulator shall: − Encompass the roadway triangle comprised of the 55, 5, and 405 freeways in Orange County Please see map in Appendix A − Have a tight integration between the new CHP CAD simulator, Paramics, and the Caltrans ATMS Instructors will initiate incidents via the CHP CAD simulator, trainees will observe traffic change on the ATMS, perform traffic management functions, and observe the results on the ATMS − Allow instructors to modify scheduling of new incidents during a simulation − Be automated to the maximum extent possible, relieving TMC instructor task workload during simulations, allowing instructors to concentrate on the students and their performance in the simulator TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) − Provide a TMC training experience that is realistic enough for operators to forget that they are in a training environment and allow them to concentrate on learning how to handle traffic problems, and respond calmly and efficiently to emergencies − Provide quantitative feedback allowing instructors to objectively evaluate student performance during simulations, hence ensuring that TMC operators receiving training have improved incident managing ability − Allow instructors to monitor students from the control room via video cameras and microphones − Be transferable to the future TMC simulator facility − Allow the dual-use of its initial room at UCI STAKEHOLDERS The UCI TMC simulator has the following stakeholders: − − − − − − TMC operators CHP traffic officers assigned to the TMC Caltrans headquarters operations staff CHP special projects staff UCI Institute of Transportation Studies Cal Poly Advanced Technology Laboratory TMC SIMULATOR OPERATIONAL SCENARIOS This section presents a variety of operational scenarios that will be encountered during use of the TMC simulator These scenarios attempt to reflect the needs of various system users: instructors, students, simulation developers, and system maintainers Articulation of how these scenarios play out will help to ensure that the needs and requirements of simulator stakeholders are met by features and capabilities of the simulator USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO Instructor begins simulation Instructor selects a scenario to run on the CAD Simulation Manager GUI via script file selected from a “Browse” dialog box Instructor connects CAD Simulator to Paramics Paramics loads the traffic network and notifies the CAD Simulator Instructor starts the simulation run on CAD simulation manger Paramics simulates traffic conditions and provides data to ATMS Instructor adds / removes an incident Instructor starts an incident on the CAD simulation manager Paramics adds the incident to the simulation TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO ATMS reflects change in traffic conditions resulting from new incident CAD also reflects the new incident Video for appropriate cameras in the vicinity of the incident is programmed to show conditions appropriate for the conditions at that location This video will only be observed if a specific appropriate camera is viewed via the video display system ATMS images can also be viewed by clicking on the camera icon on the ATMS These will be still images which are representative of current traffic conditions in the simulation Students respond to change in traffic conditions by seeing the incident either in the ATMS, CAD, or video surveillance Instructor modifies rate of initiation of incidents to suit student abilities Instructor notices that students are effective at handling incidents presented to them or are falling behind in their handling of traffic Instructor reschedules previously loaded incidents or adds new incidents via CAD simulation manager controls to modify level of difficulty for students CAD starts running scripts faster or slower, depending on control given by instructor (CAD still runs at same speed, incidents just happen at different time) Paramics and ATMS show changing traffic conditions at the new rate Students respond to events (CAD updates, radio traffic, etc.) at a faster or slower rate Instructor creates traffic diversion Students deploy a CMS message in response to an incident Instructor observes CMS message deployed and determines the traffic diversion that should occur The instructor monitoring the ATMS in the control room will notice CMS icons becoming activated when students post traffic advisory messages on them Instructor modifies traffic diversion slider bars on the CAD simulation manager controls associated with the specific CMS that had a message posted to it CAD simulation manager messages Paramics regarding diversion particulars Paramics modifies simulation to reflect diversion ATMS reflects diverted traffic Students observe that their CMS message deployment had a direct effect on traffic conditions Note: Traffic diversions can also work for incorrect CMS messages in that the students can also cause a negative effect on traffic by putting up a bad message Instructor ends simulation Instructor determines that the simulation is complete Instructor gives CAD simulation manager command to end simulation CAD simulation manager messages Paramics to terminate the simulation and halts running its traffic simulation script Paramics terminates simulation and ATMS begins showing no traffic data Instructor monitors student actions Instructor desires to monitor a student’s activities Instructor selects one or both of the observation cameras to point at the area of the room where the student is located [cameras have no pan-tilt, no pointing] Instructor adjusts volume control as needed TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO Note: The audio and video monitoring system will typically be configured to monitor most of the room, allowing instructors to see and hear what is going on Instructor communicates information to a selected student Instructor dials student on their telephone Student needs to call an allied agency Student uses TMC training simulator Web page [and / or printout] to look up the telephone number of an allied agency they desire to call Student answers telephone Instructor and student talk Student calls the allied agency by dialing their direct number on their desk telephone Instructor sees the call coming in and to what agency it is intended through the display on their telephone Instructor answers telephone appropriately and has a conversation with the student OR the call is picked up by voice mail and the student leaves a message Alternately: The student may look up allied agency number on laminated card at their desk to obtain the desired phone number [I know I was pushing the webpage, and we can still it very easily, but after thinking about, operators are probably going to prefer a card] Students hear audio simulating various radio traffic CAD simulation manager is running a script for a simulation Simulation manager “plays” audio sound clips of radio traffic as dictated by the script Students and instructors hear the audio clips via speakers in the simulation and control rooms 10 Students see video appropriate to traffic conditions CAD simulation manager is running a script for a simulation Paramics messages CAD simulation manager with traffic speeds for all corresponding video locations at a set interval Traffic conditions are altered by events in the simulation and hence the video of a specific area will automatically reflect the modified traffic conditions CAD simulation manager messages appropriate network video players to modify the video associated with specific cameras i.e if all lanes of 405N @ Jamboree are blocked, video of a camera at that location should show stopped traffic This modified video, which matches traffic conditions, will be shown when a student selects that camera with their video system controls 11 Student asks a question of an instructor during a simulation Student buzzes instructor on intercom Instructor answers students question 12 Student desires to view video from a Student looks locates a camera on the ATMS that they want to view video from TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO specific camera Student selects camera of same name from the Web-based camera control system Student selects flat-panel display for display of selected video Note: Each flat-panel display will be able to display two different surveillance video sources simultaneously, one on the right half and one on the left half Up to four total surveillance video feeds may be displayed at a time Additionally: Student selects a camera in the ATMS Still image of traffic matching existing traffic conditions is displayed in the ATMS video window for the camera and sees a still image of the roadway appears on the ATMS window 14 Student needs to send out media facsimile Student opens up a facsimile template document from a short-cut on their desktop Student makes changes to desired fields, i.e phone number list/recipients or content of message Student saves document based on a predetermined format that will include date and time Student prints to the printer labeled “Media Facsimile” [relabelling a printer is going to be interesting, but not impossible Involves hex editing the printer driver] The “facsimile” document prints on the printer in the TMC Simulator Control Room Student closes facsimile application on their computer 15 Student needs send out page to appropriate traffic management staff Student looks up telephone number of paging server in their electronic or laminated telephone list Student dials telephone number and gets a voicemail instructing them to leave a message The voicemail system records their message and indicates to a control room operator that a message is waiting on a specific line The control room operator checks the message to determine when it was sent.sends appropriate page via telephone [What sort of page? Are they just calling these people, or are we supposed to simulating a paging system? Neil, What capabilities does our telephone system have in this area? [I’m pretty certain this is possible We’ll figure a way to make this work] 16 Simulation developer wants to add an audio clip to a script Audio recording utilities are used to create an audio file Audio file is stored in the appropriate script directory on the CAD simulation manger The CAD simulation manager script is modified to include the name of the TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO audio file at the correct location in the script Script logs are noted to reflect the change 17 A piece of simulator hardware malfunctions TMC simulator troubleshooting guide is accessed to assist in troubleshooting problem TMC simulator user manual is consulted for wiring diagrams and to assist in determining if device is correctly configured Device is sent in for repair or a replacement is purchased if it is determined that device failed 18 Student emails and / or webposts the incident information 19 Instructor views the / webposting Student logs into the simulated D12 Activity Log and enters data as needed Note: Cal Poly awaiting this web serving software for installation in the TMC simulator Instructor logs into simulated activity log Instructor selects the thread in the log for the incident of interest Instructor updates the Activity Log as needed 20 Instructor calls a student Instructor activates the phone line for the agency they will be representing i.e County CDF, local fire department, CHP, CHP HQ, Caltrans HQ, City public works [we’re putting stickers over the the student phone displays, so there’s no Caller ID No activating phone lines, instructor just calls student This brings up a good point though – we need to be tying student phones together? IE Some / all incoming call rings on several / all student phones?] How about we go through this carefully with Monica and Paul in person with the actual phone system when we meet them in Orange County in early June? [Do you want to send out an email asking for dates? We’re almost June now] Instructor speed-dials the station where the student they will be calling is seated Instructor speaks to student and hangs up at the end of the conversation 21 Student posts / changes CMS Student, logged into the ATMS, selects a CMS and posts a message ATMS server is updated Instructor and other students can view the CMS posting via the ATMS 22 Student records HAR message Student selects HAR from a list of all HARs with associated telephone numbers Student dials the HAR using the telephone Voice mail picks up to receive the HAR message from the student Student verifies HAR message by playing it back and listening to it HAR message shows on the instructors telephone as a message waiting [This may also be difficult I will investigate] I hope we can TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO show that a message is waiting on the telephone This is useful for several system capabilities [Showing one mailbox is easy, but with this and the paging from above, we’re going to need many independant mailbox lights on the handsets I’ll talk to Inpath.] Instructor dials voice-mail to listen to the posted HAR message The HAR message may be played later during a post-simulation review session [one thing I just thought of is we’re going to need some mechanism for clean-up of the phone system post-simulation Messages will be retained forever otherwise.] 24 Instructor tracks field personnel status Instructor identifies location of field personnel [How? Asks them on the radio?] Instructor map by manually moving field personnel magnet on map Note: need to discuss this feature in a meeting 25 Instructors portray TMT and Maintenance field communication TMC CAD Simulator automatically plays audio clips as script progresses through a simulation Audio clips track simulation script progress directly, and slow down or speed up along with the simulation Audio clips are played over the speaker system in the simulation room and the control room Students and instructors hear the audio as if it were TMT and maintenance field radio communications 26 Instructors record field communications audio clips for use in simulations Instructors use a commercial audio recording and editing software product to create audio wav files Instructor names audio wav files by incident, location, and time in script Instructor moves created wav files to CAD Simulation manager software by LAN connection for use in simulation 27 Student operating the radio communicates to field Dispatches Maintenance Personnel and TMT Personnel via radio/intercom [If there is interaction, how does this work? Some field radio is played through speakers, but live radio comes in via handheld? I think this was how it was before, but seems a little odd.] Lets talk it over with Monica & Paul Consults written list of available personnel Logs the dispatch status in the Incident Log 28 Instructors / Students simulate CAD communications Instructors and Students can observe CAD logs on and incident-byincident basis Instructors and Students can input 'impromptu' lines into the CAD for query/response [Is this accurate? I seem to remember from our meetings with John and the CHP that CAD people on the floor cannot make changes to the CAD They can send messages, but that’s it Maybe I’m wrong? Clearly for a simulation, we’re going to want backroom injections, but not sure about the students.] Instructors and Students may send messages between CAD terminals TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) USER NEED RESULTING SCENARIO which are not captured in the CAD log TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) DESIGN 6.1 Simulation Room The simulation room is 20’ x 29’, with three rows of tables (holds 15 students) and a projection screen at the front, as shown in Appendix B The simulation room is utilized as a classroom and general work facility by UCI researchers when simulations are not in session All simulation specific equipment, such as in-house telephones, intercoms, etc will be removable during non-simulation times The simulation room will utilize new computer tables that house monitors below a transparent tabletop, as being purchased under the Testbed contract The simulation room will have eight stations for use during TMC operator training: − − − − − − − − ATMS #1 ATMS #2 CHP CAD #1 CHP CAD #2 PIO - Caltrans person MIO - CHP person Radio Dispatch Activity Log – Incident Board Control Additionally, a facilitator will roam the various stations during training, assisting operators with their work Table 6.1.1 outlines the functionality that will reside at each station TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) C O AX #1 N V ID E O IN P U T S TESTBED V id e o S w it c h C O A X #8 TESTBED V id e o W a ll N o te : o th e r in p u t s o n th is s w it c h u s e d f o r th e te s tb e d V ID E O W E B C O N TR O LS T M C S IM V id e o S w it c h CH P CAD s im u la tio n m anager W E B S e rv e r in x 16 out E th e rn e t R S -2 L a n tr o n ix S e r ia l S e r v e r R S -2 D V D P la y e r #1 R S -2 D V D P la y e r #2 C O AX #9 C O AX 10 P LA SM A D is p la y # C O AX 11 C O AX 12 P LA SM A D is p la y # R S -2 D V D P la y e r N Figure 6.3.1 Video distribution and display system Existing live video feeds Live video feeds from Caltrans District 12 and the City of Irvine terminate at the Testbed video switches These video feeds provide TMC simulation managers the ability to have convenient video to record for playback during TMC simulation runs [We are not piping live video into the simulation] Simulation room overhead projector and flat panel displays The existing overhead projector will be used in conjunction with two 42” flat-panel wall displays for presentation TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) of computer and surveillance video in the simulation room The existing projector controls will be utilized by students, allowing them to determine what is on each of the displays [We’re using the projector for ATMS, not for surveillance video] Queuing of surveillance video The CHP CAD simulation manager will queue repeating video clips for display during a simulation The exact video queued will be determined by a xml-based configuration file which is loaded at application start Project budget will not allow unique video streams for the approximately 50 cameras in the simulation area Video clips will be selected for queuing based on traffic conditions during the simulation so that surveillance video viewed will “match” what the simulation is doing A cost analysis of video switching and playback options will further illuminate this aspect of the simulator [Needs to be re-written to reflect the DVD players Currently we only have camera, etc] Still video on ATMS The ATMS displays a still video image when a camera is selected These video images may be replaced with other video images if desired requirements − detailed video source, switching, and routing schematic & − location and type of flat-panel displays action items − determine if overhead projector will be used in simulations − determine if video control interface from ATMS possible, now or in future − determine spec for simulator room video switch and desk-mount touch screen control for students − determine spec for control room video switch and control − perform cost analysis and availability of video switches, switch controls, and network controlled video playback options − determine specification for DVD video recorder 6.4 Incident Management Board An electronic incident management board will installed on either front or one of the side walls of the room Installing it in the front will make easiest to see from all stations The exact incident management board and control system will be determined by taking a brief inventory of existing Caltrans incident board systems as well as commercially available systems Figure 6.4.1 shows how the incident management board might operate in the TMC simulator The positive side of using an existing Caltrans incident management board is that it could likely be replicated easily and trainees would be learning a system installed in at least one Caltrans location The positive side of using another incident management board is that new and innovative methods with applicability throughout Caltrans may be found [Needs to be re-written to reflect the Activity Log / CAD output software we’re going to write -> displays on plasma] TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) in c id id e n t m a n a g e m e n t b o a r d s e r ia l c o n n e c t io n c o n tro l in te r fa c e c o n t r o l in te r fa c e c o n t r o l in te r fa c e s ig n c o n t r o lle r n e tw o r k c o n n e c t io n Figure 6.4.1 Incident management board system in TMC simulator requirements − review existing incident management board and control systems & − specify incident board and control system action items 6.5 Telephone and intercom systems TMC simulator telephone system The TMC simulator telephone system will utilize a stand-alone telephone system The system will provide “live” private lines at all TMC simulator seats (6) as well as many as required in the control room to represent various entities students will call during simulations All lines will be programmed into a computer based dialing system to represent various entities This will allow easy speeddialing and help to ensure realism during simulations All telephone lines may either be answered by a person, i.e TMC simulation instructors, or be picked up by voice mail Advanced features enabled by network telephony such as PC/telephone connectivity, logging of telephone calls, and the ability to program as many numbers as possible are highly desired in this system Figure 6.5.1 shows the general topology of the telephone system to be installed Telephones 7, 8, 9, and 10 will be configured so that the computer screen at those stations will reflect who is calling them, i.e CHP Dispatch, CT Director’s Office, TMT Member, City Engineer, etc The “Caller ID function will be disabled for telephones through Students in the simulation will not know who is calling them, requiring the use of a standard salutation TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) s im u la to r r o o m phone #1 phone #2 phone #3 phone #4 phone #9 phone #10 phone #5 phone #6 c e n tr a l p h o n e s w itc h ( in s e r v e r r o o m ) phone #7 phone #8 c o n tro l ro o m Figure 6.5.1 TMC simulator telephone system Intercom system The intercom system will consist of an intercom transceiver located at each station and master intercom units in the control room Instructors will be able to selectively speak to each simulation desk by pressing a button on the master intercom Instructors will be able to communicate directly with students requiring instructional assistance There will be two main intercom transceivers designated as “CALTRANS COMMUNICATIONS” and “CALTRANS TRAFFIC OPERATIONS” to emulate radios in the field units requirements & action items specify TMC simulator telephone system, including # of lines, voicemail capabilities, call logging capabilities select wireless headsets for telephone system specify intercom system TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) 6.6 Simulator Room PC Workstations and Flat Panel Displays Existing PC workstations will be utilized and outfitted with new flat-panel displays The displays will be able to be raised and lowered via mounts that attach to the back of each table ATMS workstations will be installed at stations #1 and #2 in the simulator room PCs will reside at stations #3 through #6 [Needs to be re-written to reflect the new tables] requirements & flat-panel display spec flat-panel mounting spec action items 6.7 Audio and Video Trainee Monitoring TMC simulation instructors will have the capability to monitor trainee actions via camera and microphones installed in the simulation room Video monitoring of trainees Two dome-mounted cameras will be installed in ceiling of the simulation room These cameras will be able to be panned and tilted via controls in the control room Instructors will be able to either of the cameras at any location in the room to observe trainee actions Video from these two cameras will be displayed on two monitors in the control room Audio monitoring of trainees Two or three microphones will be installed in the ceiling of the simulation room Audio from these microphones will be routed back to the control room where it will be amplified and played on a pair of speakers Instructors will have the capability to adjust the volume, allowing them to listen to what trainees are saying Figure 6.7.1 shows the video and audio monitoring systems [Do you want to get a real mixer, or try the Laroue system first? Needs to be reflected in diagram] TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) s im u la tio n ro o m c a m e # c o n tro l ro o m m o n ito r v id e o # v id e o m o n ito r #1 m o n ito r v id e o # v id e o m o n ito r #2 p a n - tilt c o n tr o ls p a n - tilt c o n t r o lle e r p a n - t ilt c a m e # p a n - t ilt m ic r o p h o n e #1 a u d io m ix e r m ic r o p h o n e #2 a u d io a m p m ic r o p h o n e #3 s p e a k e rs Figure 6.7.1 TMC simulator video and audio monitoring systems requirements & action items spec dome-mounted cameras w/ pan-tilt controls determine if any video monitors in control room may be utilized spec audio mics, mixer, amplifier, and speakers 6.7 Other Room Embellishments The TMC simulator will be outfitted with additional items aid in realism and operation of simulations These items include: − − − − wall maps magnetic incident tracking boards entry signs on the doors possibly CHP and Caltrans wall decorations These items, combined with the various video displays and the electronic incident TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) management board, will give the TMC simulator the look and feel of a command center requirements & action items determine magnetic board for room select maps of Orange County and neighboring counties design entry and interior signs for the simulator room 6.8 Instructor Support Software and Utilities Various software packages and support utilities will be procured to support development and delivery of TMC training requirements & action items imaging software spec Jeopardy review software spec customer service video spec audio editing software package spec TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) APPENDIX A MAP OF TMC SIMULATION AREA TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) APPENDIX B TMC SIMULATION ROOM LAYOUT UCI ROOM 506 KEY T e le p h o n e R a d io K e y b o a rd PIO Activity Log ATMS #2 Plasma Display In t e r c o m Mouse CHP CAD C R T M o n i to r Caltrans Radio Dispatch ATMS #1 Display Plasma 20' CHP CAD MIO L C D M o n i to r 29' ATL - C AL PO LY T M C S IM U L A T O R U C I T e s tb e d : R o o m APPENDIX C TMC CONTROL ROOM LAYOUT UCI ROOM 520 KEY T e le p h o n e R a d io In te rc o m V id e o W a ll K e y b o a rd C o n tro l # C o n tro l # C o n tro l # M ouse 19.5' L C D M o n ito r C o n tro l # C o n tro l # C o n tro l # C R T M o n ito r 20' ATL - CAL POLY T M C S IM U L A T O R U C I T e s tb e d : R o o m ... played over speakers in the simulator and control rooms The CHP CAD simulator (not really the simulator, but a future script creator tool… which may be part of the CAD simulator, but I think should... displays and the electronic incident TMC Simulator CONOPS & Design – DRAFT (27 May 2005) management board, will give the TMC simulator the look and feel of a command center requirements & action items... PURPOSE AND SCOPE A new TMC simulator is being constructed at UC Irvine This simulator will marry TMC simulation capabilities previously developed at Cal Poly, a new CHP CAD simulator, and a current