Seattle to Install Siemens Software That Intelligently Syncs and Manages City’s Traffic System to Increase Visibility and Reduce
Congestion
- As part of the traffic management installation, Siemens names Seattle Center of Excellence to
serve as a “living lab” for industry’s latest intelligent traffic technologies
Today, Siemens announced Seattle, WA will implement Concert, an integrated traffic management platform that connects both
Siemens and third-party systems across the city including traffic control centers, intersection controllers, and parking guidance
systems. The software will link these traffic planning and control systems so Seattle can take better advantage of its existing
road infrastructure, lessen the impact of major traffic incidents, better manage traffic around large events such as football games
and reduce overall congestion.
As part of this installation, Siemens has also named Seattle as one of the company’s Center of Excellence for Intelligent
Traffic Technology. Understanding the impact intelligent software can have on significantly improving a city’s transportation
system, Siemens will provide Seattle with its latest innovative technology to help expand the city’s smart traffic system
infrastructure.
“Seattle is committed to improving traffic operations in and around our downtown core through the use of advanced software and
hardware, and we’re excited to work with Siemens as a technology partner to help advance this initiative”, said Scott Kubly,
Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. “Technologies like the Siemens Concert software will help us use intelligence
to reduce congestion and, ultimately, improve the driving experience for our citizens and visitors.”
“Surrounded by water and mountains, Seattle's narrow north to south geography creates unique and challenging traffic
situations,” said Marcus Welz, president of Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems. “Our intelligent software platform will connect
traditionally separate traffic systems in and around Seattle that will allow them better insight into their traffic flow, impact of
accidents, and, ultimately, the ability to improve traffic and quality of life for their residents and visitors.”
The Concert platform will integrate Siemens’ TACTICS traffic control system as well as the city’s existing dynamic message sign
management system the local travel time system, and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) freeway system. The
software will consolidate data from these traffic platforms and other sources like weather reporting, existing road conditions, and
traffic data on special events such as concerts or ball games taking place in and around the city into a central management
platform. With this insight provided by the software platform, the City of Seattle will have a real-time, comprehensive view into
traffic as well as a powerful tool to better manage the transportation network as a whole.
The resulting data collected by the Concert software will allow Seattle to quickly identify traffic-related incidents, determine
the best response, and plan its traffic patterns more effectively. The extensive information will also be provided to operators,
travelers, traffic control systems and traffic planners via dynamic maps, message signs and posts on the WSDOT website to optimize
mobility and safety in Seattle, while decreasing environmental impacts of traffic.
As part of the Center of Excellence partnership, Siemens will work in conjunction with local distributor Western Systems to
implement the technology and showcase the system at Seattle Department of Transportation. The partnership will include expansion of
the Concert system, providing on-site training for city traffic operators on the system, and offering software support to keep
Seattle up-to-date with the latest versions of its technologies. With the software, Seattle can continue to modernize and enhance
its transportation systems through improved intelligence, respond and adapt more quickly and intelligently, in real-time, to
improve traffic flow and safety and the overall quality of life in the city. The technologies will also enable Seattle to more
easily expand its systems for future transportation needs.
The Center of Excellence extends Siemens and Western Systems’ long-term partnership with the City of Seattle. Over the past 10
years, the city has relied on an installed base of Siemens intelligent traffic technologies including advanced controllers across
300 intersections in the Seattle Central Business District and Siemens TACTICS traffic management software that manages and
troubleshoots everyday disruptions proactively.
Siemens Concert is currently operating at the Department of Transportation in South Carolina and has been installed in cities
around the world including Athens, Greece and Berlin, Germany, Krakow, Poland, and Dubai, U.A.E.
For additional information, video and photos, visit Siemens’ Infrastructure Week 2016 Interactive News Release and for expert insights, sign up for our blog and follow @SiemensUSA.
To learn more about Siemens intelligent traffic technologies, please visit www.usa.siemens.com/intelligenttraffic.
Siemens’ Rail, Transit & Mobility Portfolio: Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems business unit is part of the Siemens
Mobility Division which provides efficient and integrated transportation of people and goods by rail and road – including all
products, solutions and services regarding mobility. Siemens designs and manufactures across the entire spectrum of rolling stock
including commuter and regional passenger trains, light rail and streetcars, metros, locomotives, passenger coaches and high-speed
trainsets. In the U.S., Siemens is providing rail vehicles, locomotives, components and systems to more than 25 agencies in cities
such as Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Denver, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Houston, Portland, Sacramento, San
Diego, St. Louis, Atlanta and Charlotte. Cities also rely on Siemens to provide traction-power substations and electricity
transmission, as well as signaling and control technology for freight and passenger rail and transit systems. Siemens has
transportation manufacturing hubs in: Sacramento, CA; Louisville, KY; Marion, KY; Pittsburgh, PA; Tualatin, OR.
Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification,
automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a
leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 348,000
employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA
reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50
states and Puerto Rico. To receive expert insights sign up for Siemens’ U.S. Executive Pulse leadership blog. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: www.twitter.com/siemensUSA.
Siemens
Annie Satow, 202-316-0219
annie.seiple@siemens.com
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