12.5 Mile Project to Improve Mobility and Safety on Sugarloaf Parkway in Gwinnett County, GA

Atlanta, Ga. – April 14, 2009 -- Gresham, Smith and Partners, a leading national engineering, architecture and planning firm, announces the design of a 12.5- mile intelligent transportation system (ITS) for the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation is complete.  The design calls for installation of a fiber optic communications network and associated ITS technology, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, along Sugarloaf Parkway, a principal arterial roadway in Gwinnett County between Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and SR 20/Grayson Highway.  This ITS will be incorporated into the GDOT NaviGAtor system via connectivity to the County's Traffic Control Center (TCC) to further improve the mobility and safety on Gwinnett County roadways.

"Through this ITS improvement project, we are incorporating the latest technology into our roadways which supports our mission of enhancing quality of life by facilitating the mobility of people and goods safely and efficiently," commented Gwinnett County DOT Chief Engineer Kim Conroy.  "The design team, led by Gresham, Smith and Partners, developed a solution that would meet our needs as well as seamlessly integrate this ITS design with GDOT's statewide NaviGAtor system for increased benefits to travelers along our roadways."

15 CCTV cameras are strategically positioned along the corridor to provide continual overlapping coverage where possible.  Fiber optic drop cable was designed into existing traffic signal cabinets to provide communications from the TCC to each signal for monitoring and remote timing adjustments.  Network connections to existing or proposed fiber optic trunk lines will be designed at all crossing arterials.  Understanding the DOT's desire to minimize additional aerial utilities, fiber optic trunk lines were designed along each arterial in underground duct banks bored along the road shoulders.

"We are pleased to have completed design on what we anticipate to be our fourth successful ITS design deployed by Gwinnett County," stated Mike Holt, PE, PTOE, transportation principal, Gresham, Smith and Partners.  "We look forward to a continued partnership with the DOT with a goal of helping them further their mission of enhancing quality of life through smart and efficient roadway operations."

This project is the fourth project completed under GS&P's long-term demand services contract with the Gwinnett County DOT.  Construction is expected to begin in June 2009.

About GS&P:
Gresham, Smith and Partners provides engineering, architecture, environmental and planning services to national and international clients from 17 offices across the United States and one in China. For more than 40 years, GS&P has provided services in multiple markets including transportation, corporate and urban design, aviation, land planning, environmental compliance, healthcare, industrial and water services.  GS&P consistently ranks among the top architectural and engineering firms in the United States. For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.gspnet.com.