GEORGE L. ALLEN
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER
Dedicated March 13, 2012
Background
In 2000, the City of Garden Grove introduced a 12-camera analog traffic monitoring system that brought distinction and modern innovation to the City. Then Garden Grove City Traffic Engineer, George L. Allen, was considered the driving force behind the project. Not only was he involved in the creation of the center, he was the catalyst for obtaining the grant funding needed to fully finance its construction, without the use of City General Fund monies. In 2007, the City was awarded a $1.2 million federal grant and additional state funding for a $2.5 million Amber Alert signs project. The signs, completed in February 2009, became Phase I of a two-phased Traffic Engineering project. In August 2009, the City received a $1.85 million state grant, which was matched to an existing state grant, to begin Phase II of the project: the relocation and remodel of the existing Traffic Management Center. Phase II began in December 2010, and involved a six-month relocation of the Engineering Division to an adjoining facility. The original Traffic Management Center, once situated in a remote area of the Engineering division was moved to the entrance of the Engineering Division to allow a clear view from the public.
Purpose
The new system monitors 37 closed-circuit cameras located at major street intersections and points of interest in the city. Images are transmitted via high-speed fiber-optic cable to a control center located in Garden Grove City Hall. Engineers are able to monitor all interconnected traffic signals in real time and adjust traffic configurations by controlling signal and crosswalk timings.
Features
• 9’ wide video wall comprised of six, 50” LED cubed screens manufactured by Barco. Video sources can be manipulated across the six screens through the Barco software. • Employs new traffic monitoring software called Centracs. • No mercury light bulbs are used for the screen. LED lit projection module offers 55,000 lifetime hours. • Approximately 40 miles of fiber optics were installed to interconnect 97 traffic signals and 24 City facilities, which includes seven City fire stations. • Center can also control the Amber Alert signs on Harbor/Flagstone and Valley View/Tiffany, as well as the Dynamic Message board at Euclid/Acacia. • Two cameras are located at the Village Green for use during the Strawberry Festival; another at Garden Grove Park (Westminster and Deodara) for use during the Tet Festival. • Several traffic-monitoring cameras traverse Garden Grove’s Little Saigon, Korean Business District, and InternationalWEST tourist areas. • Center is located in the Garden Grove City Hall lobby behind an 11’ wide glass pane, which can
be changed from opaque to clear.
