LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 24, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has recognized a traveler information Web site designed and developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as one of the nation's top traffic information sites.
Traffic Response and Incident Management Assisting the River Cities (TRIMARC) is a comprehensive freeway management system for the Louisville-Southern Indiana region that provides real-time traffic information to the general public. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems operates the Louisville-based system, and designed and developed the Web site in conjunction with the sector's role as prime contractor on the program.
FHWA announced this year's winners Sept. 8 at the board of directors meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in Minneapolis, Minn. The TRIMARC site (www.trimarc.org) was one of four chosen for content and usability from a review of 276 traveler information Web sites nationwide.
"The World Wide Web is an important means of providing traveler information," said Rick Capka, deputy administrator, FHWA. "These outstanding sites were chosen because of their user friendliness, the comprehensiveness of their information and real-time reporting."
TRIMARC is part of a national initiative to deploy intelligent transportation systems to 75 of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. It includes an integrated system of sensors, cameras, dynamic message signs, highway advisory radio and computers monitoring more than 60 miles of interstate traffic in the region. Northrop Grumman designed and manages the Louisville control center that collects information on traffic flow, construction areas and accidents. Once collected, the information then is disseminated to motorists via the dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio. The Web site also offers this information and provides real-time streaming video of eight area interstate corridors and five construction areas on southern Indiana's Interstate 65. The site also offers traffic flow conditions and estimated travel times. In addition to dynamic messaging and Web-based communication, information also is available on government access television thanks to a morning traffic program produced by Northrop Grumman and the University of Louisville.
"Our system maintains an enormous amount of traffic information and today's technology offers a variety of methods to communicate with travelers," said Barney Leslie, TRIMARC project manager for Northrop Grumman. "Beyond the Web, TV and dynamic messaging, Northrop Grumman is considering other avenues such as Web-enabled wireless phones and personal digital assistants to get the message out." The TRIMARC Web site is currently experiencing almost 3,000 visits per week. In February, when weather was impacting travel, TRIMARC was averaging more than 600 visits per day.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, based in Reston, Va., is a global integrator of complex, mission-enabling systems and services for defense, intelligence and civil services and training.