Smart Call Box Field Operational Test Evaluation

Smart call boxes are an enhanced version of devices used as emergency call boxes in California. The overall system consists of a microprocessor, a cellular communications transceiver, solar power sources, data collection devices, maintenance computers, and data recording systems. The Smart Call Box Field Operational Test (FOT) evaluated the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using smart call boxes for five data processing and transmission tasks: traffic census, incident detection, hazardous weather reporting, changeable message sign (CMS) control, and video surveillance. In addition, institutional issues were analyzed as a part of the FOT. This report presents detailed evaluation results for the individual subtests. A separate Summary Report presents an overview of the FOT. Most of the traffic census systems functioned adequately but suffered from reliability problems. None of the incident detection systems functioned correctly, but the problems appear to be minor. Hazardous weather..