Overview of the Traffic Channel

The Traffic Channel is a mixed-media system designed to provide a highly-configurable system for a professional quality information channel. The stand-alone, PC-based system integrates real-time video with real-time data to provide a broadcast-ready, NTSC compatible output signal.

The primary Traffic Channel program, TrafficChannel.exe, is designed to have a broad range of display capabilities through end-user configurable files.

This document describes Traffic Channel as configured for the UWTV implementation. This implementation is a thirty-second sequence that displays four maps for a period of 7.5 seconds each. The sequence starts at the 0- and 30-second marks of each minute and repeats indefinitely until the program is terminated by hitting the End key. The Genie Digital Video Effects board is used to perform video page roles between each map transition. Swooshes are used to bring traffic video images acquired from roadside cameras on to the presentation screen.

The four map/video selections for the UWTV implemenation are:

1. Mainline Traffic - Route 520 bridge midspan
   Map of mainline traffic data and video display of 520 bridge.
2. HOV Traffic - Downtown Seattle
   Map of HOV traffic data and video display of downtown Seattle.
3. Mainline Traffic - Interstate 90 bridge midspan
   Map of mainline traffic data and video display of I90 bridge.
4. HOV Traffic - Bellevue NE 8th
   Map of HOV traffic data and video display of Bellevue.

The Traffic Channel system relies on accurate timing for all events on the following timelines.

Television broadcast systems require timing accuracy to the second, and Traffic Channel must maintain even higher accuracy to be synchronized with the broadcast system. The presented video sequence, which is controlled by the Video-Control Computer, must be closely synchronized with the video effects on the Display Computer.

Operation of the UWTV implementation of the Traffic Channel requires the use of several computer and network assets both at and between the UW and WSDOT regional headquarters in north Seattle. The following diagram illustrates the layout of these components. (See the Traffic Channel installation instructions in this document for installing and configuring the computer components and software.)

Note that the operation of the Video Control Computer and the Video Display Computer are tightly coupled in drawing the maps and controlling the video display, and both machines must be configured to operate in unison.

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(May 1, 1998)