ITC-3 Technical Description - 2020 PDF
ITC-3 Technical Description - 2020 PDF
ITC-3 Technical Description - 2020 PDF
Introduction 2
Controller design 3
Cabinet Design 7
Software design 7
Programming Interface 9
Adaptive Traffic Algorithm 10
SWARCO Cloud 12
ITC Web interface 13
Installation, service and maintenance 15
Approval documents 20
References/Testimonials 21
Innovation 22
The ITC-3 controller is state of the art in its design, running a Linux
based system on a modern and reliable ARM-based platform, with
tight integration of dual safety CPUs and all required hardware to
run an intersection in a single rack. The controller can be serviced
through the built-in touch screen and web interface, and connects
to a wide range of systems
It is possible to have extra racks attached to the 24/40 model to increase the number of groups to a
maximum of 64 groups.
The maximum number of inputs is 128 loop detector inputs, 128 digital inputs and 128 digital outputs.
Rack Layout
The system architecture is kept the same across the different rack sizes, therefore all the cards are
interchangeable between the different sized units so only one set of common spares is required.
The 24/40 model is shown below as an example of how the different components fit together inside the
rack.
Display
CPU
The connectors for external connections are all provided underneath the main rack for ease of
maintenance as shown below.
The CPU card implements three micro-processors, the main processor for the ITC application running
Linux and two safety processors. An on board real-time clock ensures stand-alone operation with an
accuracy < 2ppm @25°C (calibrated).
• Signal Conflicts
• Mains voltage
• Mains voltage dip
• Mains frequency
• Flash periods
• Plan cycles
• Signal state timings
• Lamp Minimum / Maximum loads
If any of these checks reveals a signal stage endangering the traffic, the safety relays will be switched off.
The group card implements three signal groups, and has in total nine outputs, each fused by a 2A slow
blow fuse. The outputs are used for red, amber, and green signals.
The group card has three micro-processors controlling and monitoring the signal outputs. Output
voltages and currents are monitored. It has 12 LED indicators on the front indicating the signal group
output status: red, yellow, green, and a blue for error indication.
The normal operation is for the 9 channels to be configured as red, amber and green, however the card
can be configured with up to 4 outputs on the same group and of same colour. Also, each logical group
has an auxiliary output that can be controlled by software for supplementary use. A logical group
auxiliary output must be mapped to one of the 9 physical outputs on the group card.
Channel 1 Channel 2
Channel 3 Channel 4
Channel 5 Channel 6
Channel 7 Channel 8
Reset
The detector is auto-tuning and scans the loops in two sections of four loops each with a response time
of max 26 ms. Release time after detect state is 100ms. All parameters are downloaded from the main
CPU. See ITC-3 Training Manual for details. Max loop feeder length is 300 m.
The power supply is a shielded unit complying with EN60950-1(ed2, am1, am2).
• + 5VDC
• +12VDC
Modem IO Card
Digital IO Cards
The combined circuit board provides a standard modem interface together with GPS, four 24V input
ports, and four output ports. The common terminals for the input, and output ports may be connected
to either + or - of the power supply as suitable for the application.
There is a number of different versions of Digital input and ouput cards available for the ITC-3 controller:
The digital IO cards are DIN rail mounted cards. The card is connected to the controller with a 10-Way
ribbon cable from connector CN22 I/O (RS422) located on the right side of the rack. The next card is
linked to the previous by the 10-Way Ribbon Cable the IN and OUT connection polarity is not important
when daisy chaining the cards.
Further information about the ITC-3 Controller Design can be found in the following manuals:
Appendix A, Manuals/ITC Manuals/ITC-3 Service Manual V1.8 EN.pdf
Appendix A, Manuals/ITC Manuals/ITC-3 Training Manual v1
Appendix A, Manuals/ITC Manuals/ITC3-UK Installation and Maintenance Handbook
Weight: 80 Kg
SOFTWARE DESIGN
The combined circuit board provides a standard modem interface together with GPS, four 24V input
The ITC Traffic Controller is already adopted to a wide range of countries and specifications.
The software connects to a wide range of supervision systems, with built in support for the following
protocols:
• STCIP
• STREAMS
• RSMP
• 501
• KUN-Connect
• SPOT
• SOTU
• X-Link
• Swarco-Cloud (proprietary)
• IVERA
• UG-405
• UTMC
• NTCIP
• SCATS
• SCOOT/UTMC
• Artic
• ITAKA
• CCOL
• SPOT/UTOPIA
The main controller software consists of an ITC-Core, that handles hardware interfaces, safety fea-
tures, and base algorithm. A range of software packages can connect through a fast binary interface
internally and run traffic logic or supervise the operation.
Software development follows an agile approach adapted to suit the somewhat special needs of
safety critical software. The development processes are two-fold; one for non-safety critical software,
and a slightly more strict process for the parts that fall under safety criticality.
All non-safety critical development goes through design, implementation, code review, encapsulat-
ed test, and finally passes the overall release tests before release. As the process is agile, any feature
or bug fix that goes through the process can be sent back to earlier stages in case it doesn’t pass the
next stage.
Each feature is completely separated from other development during the development phase, and
not included in the development version until it has undergone encapsulated test and code review.
At that point it passes into the software package development branch, and further has to pass the
release tests before being released to customers.
The non-safety critical process undergoes an internal retrospective audit in the software team after
each release and optimizations and/or changes are implemented before next release cycle.
Software packages with safety-criticality have additional process steps. After the code review step, an
additional code coverage test is inserted, and an impact analysis is done to determine if the changes
have potential to trigger any regressions in other parts of the software.
Any possibly affected parts are re-tested before the changes can be merged into the development
branch of the package.
Before starting release tests, a change analysis is done to determine the extent of 3rd party reassess-
ment needed.
The processes and management of development are certified according to ISO 9001, 14001 and
18001, and re-audited yearly by an accredited 3rd party (Currently DNV).
The software process has been honed to move quickly and thoroughly into new philosophies and
market requirements and has been proven to be very effective.
Advanced Traffic Controllers require advanced and user friendly programming interfaces. It is a way
to allow the user to take best advantage of the solution and understand it well.
The ITC-PC software is a tool for preparing the ITC controller traffic configurations. It is the same
software for uploading/downloading traffic configurations to/from the controller. The configuration
as a collection of parameters can be also saved on the hard drive as .PTC, .PTC2 or .PTC3 file.
There are three modes for viewing and editing the configuration parameters: ”Advanced”, ”Quick
Start View” and the ”3D mode”.
The advanced mode is based on tables containing all configuration parameters. For more
information about programming in the Advanced mode please see:
Appendix A, Manuals/ITC Manuals/ITC-3 Programmers Manual.pdf
The Quick Start View mode is more graphical and simplifies the programming process for both
advanced and new ITC programmers. The Quick Start View mode is a wizard that guides the user
through the programming process step-by-step starting from base configuration settings to vehicle
actuated and coordination settings.
The 3D View mode is an extension of the Quick Start View mode. This allows the user to draw a
virtual model of the junction which then becomes the centre point of the configuration. It links all
the configuration chapters (intersection layout, signal groups, detectors, timing settings and more)
and provides reference to all typical traffic signal systems objects (signal groups, detectors, traffic
lanes). Properties of individual elements can be then seen on a separate panels/windows triggered
from the object list or directly from the 3D junction layout.
Specified objects (groups, detectors and more) can easily be dragged-and-dropped directly on the
junction model during the junction model building process. A scalable background ensures further
functionality related to traffic engineering and C-ITS areas:
The ITC controller has an adaptive algorithm for an isolated intersection and as well for a corridor
that with a of a minimum detection system (only a stop line loop in each lane) has proven to give
very good results.
Smart Intersection
Smart Intersection is an adaptive traffic control solution for an isolated intersection and is part of
the adaptive solution for a co-ordinated system called Smart Corridor. It is designed to measure the
level of service on an individual intersection and evaluate optimal cycle length and the green split in
order to minimise the overall delays, number of stops, pollution and fuel consumption.
• Smart Intersection is a software package in the controller logic that can be applied to opti-
mise maximum green times for signal groups and/or signal stages, as well as the signal cycle
length.
• Not all signal groups or stages need to be chosen for optimisation in Smart Intersection.
• The aim of Smart Intersection is to maintain a” useful” allocation of green time and to reduce
or increase the cycle length time in accordance with prevailing levels of traffic demand. This
means that ineffective green time is minimised (e.g. not maintained for late vehicle passages)
and that the system adapts to the traffic situation.
Smart Corridor
Smart Corridor is an adaptive dedicated traffic control solution for co-ordinated signalized corridors.
It is a software package that decides optimum cycle length for a whole corridor and supports indi-
vidual junctions with the cycle split estimation. With the Smart Corridor the cycle change and split
is applied gradually in order to always maintain the coordination path. The rule can also deal with
another intersection some distance away which shall run a different cycle length at some point of
the cycle change transition.
Together with the Smart Intersections reporting evaluated performance factors from each individ-
ual junction, the traffic algorithm can decide either to fully support the coordination path or resolve
some oversaturation problems measured on some intersection’s side roads or left turn movements.
The variety of different options makes the solution very modular. It is the user that can decide level
of adaptiveness on the individual junction and the individual junction impact on the traffic control
strategy for a whole corridor.
As with Smart Intersection the Smart Corridor programming process is also supported with
the 3D drawing features visualising the whole corridor and also each individual system objects
(detection zones, signal groups, push buttons). The Smart Intersection and Smart Corridor user
interface is specially designed to make the advanced traffic solution easy to implement.
By drawing on three decades of experience in the field of traffic control, Swarco Cloud is designed as
a simple and efficient way to survey connected devices, alerting about alarms and giving means to
access the devices directly through the service without complicated network setup.
The features available to a user in the Swarco Cloud system in order to:
ITC controllers is based on the Linux platform and has a built in Web server that can be used by field
engineers to get an overview of the operation, status and errors in the intersection.
Overview
Get a quick overview of the current status of the intersection, including group status, current errors,
and a configurable set of buttons to influence the controller.
Stripes
See complete status of traffic algorithm elements in the controller, fully configurable.
Lamp supervision
The ITC-3 controller is built with installation, service and maintenance in mind. The controller is
designed in a manner that reduces maintenance man-hours and technical qualification
requirements for servicing common and critical controller faults.
The following documentation is provided to demonstrate the processes for undertaking common
service, operational and maintenance activities required for the controller. Included is a regular
schedule of preventative maintenance tasks for the controller hardware.
Installation
See the ITC3-UK Installation and Maintenance Handbook, Section 9 on page 26 for installation
details.
Operational Functions
See the ITC3-UK Installation and Maintenance Handbook, Section 9 on page 26 for installation
details.
Administration and monitoring tasks may also be undertaken using the simple web interface pro-
vided by the controller.
Refer to the ITC-3 Service manual, The ITC-3 controller has an expected lifetime of not less than 10
years. During this period no components are required to be exchanged preventively. However a
routine check should be done once a year. A maintenance check list, with recommended check
procedures, is provided in the Service Manual ITC-3 Service Manual V1.8 EN.
The SWARCO ITC-3 Training Manual is available and this covers a range of topics tailored to the ser-
vice engineer:
• Controller Interrogation Methods
• Hardware Overview for Hardware not currently in the Service Manual
• Installation Procedures
• Maintenance Procedures
Reactive maintenance
The ITC-3 is a highly modular traffic signal controller that uses a rack and bus based frame into
which modules are inserted. There are also additional modules that are DIN rail mountable,
connected to the main rack via ribbon cables. All connectors are located for ease of maintenance at
the bottom of the rack behind a protective cover. Power and data are distributed on the backplane
to support easy replacement which results in the task of replacement taking in the order of a few
minutes.
The ITC-3 Training Manual covers the field replacement of components at Section 5.5. Table 20 has
detailed guides for replacing, personnel required and time to fix. This time to fix is slightly variable as
the time taken to board out an intersection with out of order boards (if the signals are required to be
switched off) depends on the size of the junction and number of approaches.
Available DIN mounted controller modules within the cabinet have been designed with serviceabil-
ity in mind, and all connections to them are either IDC ribbon connections or screw terminals that
detach from their header making swapping of modules very quick to undertake. Available modules
are:
• I/O Cards ( IO16-16, IO 16-8 or IO-8-4) - Not more than 5 minutes to replace
• Table 20 page 79
• Regulatory Sign Monitor Card - Not more than 15 minutes to replace
• Table 20 page 80
Ancillary equipment in the controller cabinet supporting controller operation are listed as follows:
• The cabinet is provided with a Mains AC Switchboard as part of the sub-assembly.
• ITC-3 Service Manual Section 1.41, page 11.
The ITC-3 has a number of diagnostic tools including an LCD touch screen available on the front of
the controller. This can be used to interrogate and diagnose the operation of the controller and all
necessary modules and as well to test the communications links.
In addition, via the use of a laptop other diagnostic software can be used to test and or update any
internal software systems.
The ITC controller comes furthermore with advanced simulator tools and interface to VISSIM. The
ITC-3 Training Manual covers controller interrogation methods in Section 2. Please see this section
for more detail. The options are:
• Touch display
• Status icons for detection, group status, fault display, configuration management and
hardware/software versions.
• Status/Programming interface for viewing configuration parameters, and providing
monitoring of all detection, I/O, group behaviour, modes, fault information etc.
• Engineering Terminal
• Handset commands for common tasks, status info, configuration view/change etc.
• Web Interface (requires laptop)
• Comprehensive suite of tools for management, overview, monitoring the controller.
• ITC Console (another terminal)
• A more advanced tool for viewing and changing configuration parameters
• Simple Swarco Shell
• An advanced Linux shell for controller administration tasks.
The ITC-PC User Manual provides information on programming of the controller but also using a de-
bugger tool to view the configuration operation on the laptop. This can be used in conjunction with
simulation tools such as VISSIM to analyse how the controller configuration will perform in different
situations.
The ITC-3 Traffic Controller complies with the European regulations for Traffic Controllers, and has
been tested accredited according relevant safety and environmental standards as listed below. The
European traffic standards specifies international standards for Environmental, EMC and Electrical
safety testing.
The safety design of the ITC-3 is compliant with IEC 61508 “Functional Safety” SIL 3. This means that
all measurement circuits and safety processors are redundant forming two safety channels with
mutual diagnostics.
ACCREDITED
STANDARD NAME COMMENT
TESTING
Traffic signal
EN12675 controllers / Functional DELTA/FORCE
safety requirements
Information technology
IEC 60950-1 DEKRA
/ safety
The processes and management of development are certified according to ISO 9001, 14001 and
18001, and re-audited yearly by an accredited 3rd party (Currently DNV).
SWARCO Technology’s production and development are ISO certified to the following standards
• ISO 9 001 Quality Management
• ISO 14 001 Environmental management
• OHSAS 18 001 Occupational Health & Safety Advisory Services
The ITC-3 Controller is state of the art and a controller developed for the world market installed in
more than 50 countries.
Total 11.397
C-ITS
Cooperative ITS is a greatly emerging field. Swarco has drawn its competences in traffic together to
be able to offer great integration in its products. The ITC-3 comes by default with C-ITS/C2X support
and integration into the traffic algorithm is constantly evolving. By working together with authori-
ties, automakers and suppliers, the ITC-3 is on the forefront of this innovation.
Numerous trends, ranging from connected automated vehicles (CAV) to the Internet of Things (IoT)
passing by Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), are likely to come together to create drastic changes in
mobility systems over the next 5 to 10 years. These changes will have important impacts on the way
we monitor and control traffic in cities. The future of urban traffic management is CAME: Connected,
Automated, Multimodal and Environmentally-conscious. Connected and Automated vehicles are
inevitably on the way and technology is evolving fast. Today we face the dispute between two major
technologies: DSRC (ITS-G5 or WAVE) and cellular technology (V-LTE/5G). Differences in terms of reli-
ability, safety and delays appear to decrease more and more, but still the winner is missing.
The proposed solution has been designed to accommodate both scenarios and to achieve an im-
plementation which is independent of the communication technology related to specific use cases.
The most suitable access technologies (DSRC or cellular) will be derived from the use cases (safe-
ty-related or comfort application), the appropriate communication method (broadcast vs. point-to-
point) and the type of addressing (IP or geographically). Vehicles could then select the appropriate
access technology based on performance indicators. Alternatively, mobile devices could be used in
vehicles not equipped with DSRC technology.
The solution focuses on the application stack mainly and the ability to generate and process C-ITS
messages independently from the chosen communication mean and equipment manufacturer.
As a result, Swarco has developed several software modules, like the Central ITS Station (C-ITS-S),
that are part of the enhanced solution to support new cooperative services.
Intersection Safety (ISS) based on signal, phasing, timing and map data (SPAT/MAP), In-vehicles Sig-
nage (IVI), Roadworks Warning (RWW), Probe Vehicles Data (PVD) and other Decentralized Environ-
mental Notification Messages (DENM).
The ISS use case will provide information on traffic-light status and a geographical representation of
the vicinity of the traffic light. The use case description is based on the most promising possibilities
to use SPAT/MAP based information in specific use cases, namely for the use cases:
The collection of anonymised information from mobile ITS stations (PVD data) will enlarge the
information base for traffic management decisions. Until now there is no standard or data format
specified for PVD. For this reason, a method for collecting possible data from vehicles, based on the
already existing Cooperative Awareness Message (CAM), as specified by [ETSI 302 637-2]. This meth-
od is called CAM Aggregation and includes:
IVI, RWW and more in general DENM are used to inform drivers about:
• Current speed policy/advices and other relevant (hazard) information which are shown on
dynamic traffic signs using the In-Vehicle Information
• Road works ahead, their relevant parameters and associated obstructions (e.g. closed lanes)
• Other ATMS generated information like general traffic conditions, rerouting suggestions and
queue warnings.
The challenge of bringing this new environment and its hugely enriched, expanded and comple-
menting data set into the traffic management centre is carefully addressed with a modular ser-
vice-oriented system architecture and a robust and scalable data fusion engine. The data fusion
engine particularly is designed in such a way to be able to scale along with the penetration of both
Road Side Units (C-ITS-R) and Connected Vehicles.
Moreover, best practices in system design have been applied to guarantee, for instance, loosely-cou-
pled components to be replaced with alternative implementations that provide same services. The
effort made is amply repaid by the enormous potential that these data have in terms of optimization
and traffic control measures. Especially, the switch from human driven to driverless cars will have a
major impact on classical traffic flow modelling as traffic analysis, planning, control, and generally
transport management are strongly based on it. For the ITC controller we have developed TLA (Traf-
fic Light Assistant) and this functionality is now a part of the ITC core it is developed as a cooperation
between Swarco, Volvo and Norwegian Road Authorities, and it serves the purpose to provide drivers
with “Time to Green-Time to Red” information to optimize the traffic. Trondheim is one of the first
Nordic cities to test the new TLA function where the application was deployed on 48 intersections,
Volvo cars and an app system.