Specifically, Indra will equip I-485 express lanes with a dynamically priced open-road tolling solution designed to help improve traffic flow in the corridor. The project includes tolling and ITS system maintenance over a five-year base-contract period with optional extensions.

Indra won the contract after pre-qualifying for a framework agreement in an open competition with major national and international integrators. The contract has been awarded to Indra in partnership with Parsons, an international technology, engineering and consultancy firm.

For the I-485 express lanes, Indra’s cloud-based tolling solution will enable the application of dynamic pricing in separated lanes based on real-time traffic density data. If the road is heavily congested, the price will adjust to regulate the number of users in the express lanes, minimising traffic intensity and improving travel times.

Raúl Ripio, Indra’s general mobility manager, said: “Indra’s continuous commitment to technological improvements and innovation has been crucial in winning this important contract in North Carolina, reinforcing Indra’s mobility business in the USA and is a unique landmark as we address the numerous opportunities provided by the country’s public transportation bodies.”

Indra will equip a total of 10 express lane gantries on I-485, allowing vehicles to be tolled at highway speeds. The all-overhead solution, where equipment is installed on gantry structures, relies on 3D lidar technology, video analytics and AI.

Indra has implemented similar systems on I-66 Outside the Beltway in Virginia, and in the El Melon tunnel in Chile, with open-road overhead tolling systems, automatic detection of high occupancy vehicles (HOVs), lidar and video AI technologies and connected vehicles. HOV systems have also been implemented on I-95, I-495 and I-395 in Northern Virginia.

The solution in North Carolina will include a central operational system to facilitate transaction management and operations and integrate AI algorithms. Parsons will assume responsibility for engineering design, installation, quality control, as well as share responsibility for system maintenance.

“Parsons is proud to partner with Indra and NCTA to deliver cutting-edge tolling technology for the I-485 express lanes,” said Robert Suess, senior vice president and general manager, Intelligent Infrastructure business unit for Parsons.

“Our team is committed to providing exceptional design, engineering, and operations support that will enhance NCTA’s toll collection system and ensure reliable and efficient services for motorists.”

With the application of 3D lidar technologies, vehicle classification and tracking data will be collected in real-time. AI will perform reading and analytics and coordinate with the other subsystems.

Indra’s solution has been designed to continually improve its performance by ‘training’ through deep learning as more and more data is captured during the operations and maintenance period.

According to Intra, the technology will lead to a reduction in equipment, reportedly resulting in a lighter solution at a lower cost for the customer in terms of implementation, maintenance, and energy savings.