Traffic Technology International
How product capability paired with partnership-driven customer service drive ITS modernisation
RTMS Echo delivers accurate per-vehicle data across up to 12 lanes
Across many regions, transportation agencies are modernising their highway infrastructure to keep pace with growing traffic volumes. Reliable, real-time traffic data is a critical part of this effort, supporting everything from congestion management to incident response. As detection networks installed years ago approach replacement cycles, agencies are evaluating how to upgrade these systems in ways that improve operational insight while minimising deployment complexity.
Few places illustrate this challenge more clearly than Florida. As one of the fastest-growing states in the US, Florida is experiencing increased demand on its road networks. To help manage this growth, regional agencies across the state are deploying ITS to improve the efficiency and safety of their roadways.
A recent project by a major Florida highway agency to upgrade their regional Microwave Vehicle Detection System (MVDS) network serves as a blueprint for this approach. The project involved replacing more than 300 locations, or about half of the data collection nodes throughout their highway network. After months of field testing, the teams moved away from a long-standing incumbent supplier in favour of RTMS Echo – a solution that delivered a modern, IP-native architecture combined with a highly responsive, partnership-driven support model from the manufacturer, Sensys Networks.
Technical capability
The RTMS Echo was developed to address the demands of modern highway detection. Accurate per-vehicle data across up to 12 lanes from a single pole-mounted device translates directly to project efficiency and better overall value with fewer devices, simpler infrastructure, and lower long-term maintenance costs.
Several other specific capabilities proved valuable for this project. The zero-setback design allows deployment in constrained locations where traditional radar cannot be installed – bridge structures, tunnel walls, and narrow medians – giving engineers maximum flexibility. Built-in wi-fi and a browser-based user interface mean any tablet, phone, or laptop can be used to configure the unit on-site without proprietary software or specialized training. Virtual aiming tools guide installation and calibration in minutes rather than hours.
Perhaps most critically for long-term operations, the system’s open data architecture prevents vendor (and recurring budget) lock-in. The agency can ingest detection data using industry-standard NTCIP protocols or API connections, integrating directly with their existing traffic management platform. No vendor-specific middleware is required to sit between the sensors and the agency’s systems. While Sensys Networks offers customizable reporting software for additional analytics, this remains optional, and the agency controls their data infrastructure – a critical consideration for equipment with multi-decade lifecycles
Partnership-driven support
Technical capability qualified the product, but the vendor’s partnership approach ultimately secured the project. Sensys Networks, with partners ITS and Blackhawk, demonstrated responsiveness throughout the process, delivering required customisations on a demanding timeline and maintaining direct engineering support during deployment. Field crews benefited from a solution designed for fast installation, while the agency gained access to technical staff who understood project context. For large-scale deployments spanning hundreds of locations, this combination of responsive support and ease-of-installation kept the project moving and costs within budget.
The modernisation of highway detection across this Florida district proves the most successful ITS projects are driven by both field-ready technology and reliable service. When a sensor platform prioritises ease of deployment and data flexibility – and is backed by an efficient team – agencies can achieve the highway-scale coverage their budgets demand while ensuring the long-term safety and flow of their roadways.
