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To: signist who wrote (20364)	4/17/2000 8:20:00 AM
From: signist	Respond to of 42804

(PR NEWSWIRE) Marconi Provides Foundation for Intelligent Traffic Management System In Dallas/Ft. Worth Advanced Multiservice Network Keeps Interstate Traffic Moving PITTSBURGH, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Marconi (LONDON: MNI), a leading global supplier of advanced networking solutions, today announced that it is providing the network infrastructure for a state-of-the-art Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for the interstate highways surrounding the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The system designed and implemented by Marconi allows officials with the Texas Department of Transportation to monitor and regulate traffic flows on the major arteries around the city. Video streams from cameras mounted at critical points on major roadways in and around Dallas/Fort Worth are fed to a transportation management center where transportation officials can quickly and efficiently manage a range of traffic situations. "Our new ITS deployment allows us to react immediately to changing traffic patterns and volumes," said Robert Bacon, ITS Design Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation. "In addition to seeing what is happening on the major roadways in the area, we have the ability to alert commuters to traffic conditions by controlling roadside message boards from our management center. This helps us keep things moving on the roads and it helps commuters get where they're going more quickly." "The Dallas/Fort Worth area is taking the lead in the area of Intelligent Traffic Systems," said Ken Creager, senior director of strategic industry solutions at Marconi Communications. "In the next decade, we expect to see a number of major metropolitan areas deploy ITS plans similar to the one in Dallas/Fort Worth today. Through ITS, the Texas Department of Transportation is taking advantage of advanced networking technology to improve the lives of the people they serve." About the Texas Department of Transportation Network Each video stream begins with a series of cameras mounted atop poles placed at strategic points along major roadways. The signal is then transmitted via fiber optic cable to one of six satellite buildings where the cable is connected to a Marconi Communications StreamRunner(TM) AVA(TM)--300 and then to a ForeRunner(R) ASX(TM)--1000 asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. Each satellite building typically accommodates from 12 to 20 cameras -- and the complete build-out of the network calls for as many as 20 satellite buildings in all. All the satellite buildings are connected via fiber optic cable at a speed of OC-12 (622 Mbps) to the temporary transportation management center, located in North Dallas, Texas. This facility will be used until the permanent transportation management center is completed in Mesquite later next year. At the management center, the fiber optic cables are fed through another ASX-1000 into a series of StreamRunner ATV(TM)-300s, which decode the video signal into standard National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) video streams. Each stream is routed to a separate television monitor where Department of Transportation personnel can monitor traffic conditions. Additionally, every camera in the network can be remotely controlled from the central control center using a full range of pan, tilt and zoom features. Other interesting features of the network include complete real-time control from the traffic center of roadside message boards that can be used to alert motorists to changing traffic conditions. Under normal circumstances, messages are posted to alert motorists to things like construction delays, lane closures and traffic accidents. Finally, the network will also support a telephone system that links each of the satellite buildings to the control center. "In the future, we're also looking at providing a Web interface to allow commuters themselves to access the traffic system," added Bacon. "This will offer maximum flexibility and convenience to the commuters that travel our roads." About Marconi, plc Marconi plc (LONDON: MNI) is one of the world's fastest growing communications and IT companies with a strong record of innovation and technological breakthroughs. It is a world leader in smart broadband optical networks and it supplies the key technologies and services for the New Public Network and the Internet. With 45,000 employees worldwide and sales in over 100 countries, it is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The headquarters of Marconi Communications is in Pittsburgh, PA. ForeRunner and Networks of Steel are registered trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. ASX, StreamRunner, AVA and ATV are trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. For more information, contact Jim Blew, Media Relations of Marconi, 724-742-7745, or Email, jblew@fore.com. SOURCE Marconi plc -0- 04/17/2000 /CONTACT: Jim Blew, Media Relations of Marconi, 724-742-7745, or Email, jblew@fore.com/ /Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 329107/ /Web site: fore.com / CO: Marconi plc; Texas Department of Transportation ST: Pennsylvania, Texas IN: CPR TRN SU: CON * end of story *