Building an online its research and training facility - The icat database and platform

The ITS Centre and Testbed (ICAT) is a university-based facility that enables the research and development of advanced computer analysis and control algorithms that aim at improving the operational efficiency of our transportation system. The ICAT has live traffic surveillance data and video streams from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the City of Toronto through dedicated fibre-optic connections. The ICAT database stores 20-second loop detector data, messages displayed on changeable message signs (CMS), operator incident logs and 3-minute snap-shots of camera images. These data can be accessed by practitioners and researchers using a Web interface anywhere in the world. This paper describes some of the technical design choices involved in the development of such a research facility, and the reasons behind them. In particular, the communications system design, software and hardware architecture, as well as the general design philosophy, are presented. The archived data is made available to researchers and practitioners via the ICAT Website. Some specific features of the ICAT Website are presented to illustrate usage of the system