Technology's latest: local high-tech developments.

• Author: King, Heather
• Position: Business Trends - CommuterLink by Utah Department of Transportation - Statistical Data Included - Evaluation

Even with the troubled economy, many companies across the country still look to Utah for trends and technology solutions. Joan Mitchell, marketing communications manager at Evans & Sutherland (E&S) explains, "Utah's high-tech industry will continue to benefit from a well-educated, locally available workforce who are motivated to remain in the state and will help drive the development of new technology and marketable applications for that technology." Just a few of the state's most recent technology advancements include UDOT's Commuter-Link system and E&S's Digistar 3. Furthermore, venture capital company vSpring helps a large number of high-tech entrepreneurs enter the local market every year.

Technology in the Fast Lane

Several years ago, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) developed an innovative computer-controlled system to help Utah residents better navigate traffic flow on freeways and surface streets during the massive reconstruction of I-15. The CommuterLink system includes cameras, message signs, traffic signals, ramp meters, traffic speed and volume sensors, pavement sensors and weather sensors. The system is unique because it combines information from both state and federal road systems to provide drivers with more complete information.

CommuterLink should help reduce congestion and lower gasoline consumption, saving Utahns over 10 million hours and $50 million each year. Additionally, Bryan Chamberlain, project manager for CommuterLink, states, "We have set some goals to reduce the number and length of stops at stoplights and reduce the number of accidents on the freeway by letting people know what's ahead of them."

Chamberlain adds that feedback for the entire system, but particularly the message signs, has been positive. "People really appreciate knowing what's ahead of them. The signs give them the option of choosing an alternate route--it lets the driver make the decision and gives them a little more control."

With this government-funded technology hard at work during the Olympics, the CommuterLink web site received over 74 million hits and advised drivers of closures, conditions, accidents and other information necessary to navigate roads crowded with additional visitors. Now that the Olympics are over, UDOT and Intelligent Transportation Systems plan to take CommuterLink to the next level. This will include different methods of communicating immediate information to the public via www.commuterlink.utah.gov and the...