ESS Test Report Synopsis

Overall findings

Four standards were tested and evaluated - one specific to ESS devices, one pertaining to all NTCIP devices, and two base standards and protocols. During the testing of the nine major ESS functional areas (including 52 individual core functions and features included in the standard), there were four minor negative findings; all were based on apparent omissions of reasonable ESS features from the standards. The four features that deployers felt should be added to a the standard were: addition of a capability to save more historical data; use of CCTV camera to capture single frame photographs ("snapshot"); collection of data on solar radiation at 10-minute intervals; and measurement of subsurface soil moisture level as a function of time.

Based on the results of the formal testing of these four standards, the test team has concluded that, except as discussed in the minor findings stated in the report, the standards are suitable, effective, and make a positive contribution to the interoperability and interchangeability of NTCIP ESS subsystems.

The conclusion of the independent test team is that the ESS-specific standard NTCIP 1204 and supporting global standard NTCIP 1201 are relatively mature and have enabled the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) along with the manufacturer of the ESS equipment, Surface Systems, Inc. (SSI), to create and deploy a fully functional and compliant NTCIP ESS subsystem implementation. Further, with the possible minor effects of the exceptions noted in this report, the use of standards to implement and deploy the ESS subsystems tested in Minnesota have created the potential for an interoperable and interchangeable multiple vendor operational environment with other vendor ESS subsystems when they are built according to these standards.

How to obtain more information

The test result report has been divided into 3 volumes. Volume 1 is the Executive Summary Report (15 pages). Volume 2 provides detail on the testing process, test environment and conditions, analysis and evaluation of results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations (66 pages). Volume 3 is the repository for questionnaires, MOUs, documents, interviews, test data files, and all other information collected and examined in the planning and conduct of the testing process. Volumes 1 and 2 can be obtained by contacting Battelle. Volume 3 may not be released to the general public, except with the explicit prior written agreement or waiver of all concerned parties.

Contact Thomas J. Timcho, at timchot@battelle.org, for the report.