Installing the Traffic Channel from the Distribution Zip Disk

Operation of the Traffic Channel system requires the installation of two computer systems and three separate processes. The Display Computer must be physically located at the broadcast point and within connection of the desired video feed. This machine runs the TrafficChannel.exe map display program and the Java-based generic redistributor data acquisition program. The Video Control Computer must be located at the WSDOT computer room within physical proximity of the video control switch. This machine runs the cameras.exe camera control program.

Installing the Display Computer

1. Copy the \TrafficChannel directory from the distribution disk to the root of your C: partition.
2. Copy the \segmentLogger directory from the distribution disk to the root of your C: partition.
3. Verify that your computer is connected to the network.
4. Install the timekeeper software. Copy the tardisnt3.zip file from the Traffic Channel installation directory to a temporary directory on your machine. Unzip the the tardisnt3.zip file and install, following the directions provided with the software
5. Install the Java jdk version 1.1.5. Copy the jdk115-win32.exe file from the \segmentLogger\JavaDistribution directory to a temporary directory on your machine and run it to install Java.
6. Install the GeniePlus Digital Video Effects card following the instructions that are supplied with the hardware from Pinnacle Systems.

Installing the Video-Control Computer

1. Verify correct installation of Windows95 on your machine.
2. Verify that your computer is connected to the network.
3. Install the timekeeper software. Copy the tardisnt3.zip file from the distribution disk to a temporary directory on your machine. Unzip the the tardisnt3.zip file and install, following the directions provided with the software
4. Copy the \TrafficChannel\VideoController directory from the distribution disk to the root C: partition of the Video Control Computer
5. Connect the 9-pin, D-shell connector from the 9600 baud port of the video switch to COM1 of the Video Control Computer.
6. Run the \VideoController\cameras.exe program .
7. Connect a stand-alone video monitor to verify that the current video sequence is being affected.

Both the Display Computer and the Video-Control Computer rely on accurate time to synchronize the changing of video scenes with the changing of maps and for synchronization with a television broadcast system. The tardisnt3 application above should be configured to use an available and accurate SNTP, (Simple Network Time Protocol), time server. Per the application's directions, it should be configured to keep the system clock within 100 msec of the referenced time base.

Traffic Channel | ITS UW Home

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(May 11, 1998)