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Turnpike Authority Improving the Safety and Efficiency of Critical Toll with DragonWave’s Packet Microwave for Public Safety

Customer The Authority (NJTA) operates the Jersey Turnpike and – two of the busiest toll roads in the United States. Combined, these two highways support over 600 million drivers each year and comprise one of the high- est volume segments of I-95. Since its opening in 1951, the turnpike has undergone a significant transformation, expanding from 118 miles to 148 miles and growing from 4 lanes to as many as 14 lanes in some areas.

The NJTA is also an important driver of economic activity with current projects employ- ing over 20,000 construction and engineering personnel across the region.

Challenge The NJTA’s mission is to ensure “the safe, efficient movement of people and goods” across their vast highway system. To meet this challenge, the NJTA relies on several public safety systems to monitor traffic conditions, deliver information to drivers and respond to any emergencies rapidly by relaying critical information to first responders.

Keeping with the latest technology, the NJTA recently deployed over 100 high-reso- lution IP cameras and 220 full-color information signs. A multi-site WiMAX network spanning 360 miles of roadway was also put in place to meet the new bandwidth requirements of these systems in addition to supporting their roadway weather infor- mation stations and thousands of traffic detection sensors. Additionally, pseudowire technology was adopted to transport new and legacy traffic over a converged packet network. Fast Facts With an advanced access network in place, it became apparent that the existing Customer: transport network, did not provide the level of capacity or reliability needed to support • The New Jersey Turnpike Authority existing requirements, let alone scale to meet future demands – it was clear that a new transport solution would be needed. Because the NJ Turnpike Authority and Solution Provider: Garden State Parkway were previously operated independently, their communications • Pinnacle Wireless infrastructures were dissimilar; the NJ Turnpike operated a TDM-based microwave system with limited bandwidth, while the Garden State Parkway network was no longer DragonWave Solution & Features: manufactured or supported. In both cases the systems lacked the capability to support • Horizon Compact today’s high bandwidth, low latency IP-based communications requirements. • Zero-footprint, all-outdoor • Rapid deployment NJTA’s new communications network deployment is one of the • 400 Mbps scalability “The largest of it’s kind in the United States. Given the critical nature • Fully protected links for carrier- of the traffic carried over their network, and the increased bandwidth demands grade reliability of their video delivery and information systems, it was critical that we select a • Ultra-low latency backhaul solution with the highest levels of reliability and scalability. • Advanced QoS support with 8 - Mike Hayford, CEO, Pinnacle Wireless Communications levels of prioritization Case Study

The Horizon Compact, zero-footprint packet microwave system com- bines the radio and modem in a single integrated all-outdoor package, driving significant installation, cabling and ongoing site leasing savings compared to traditional microwave systems. With its packet based architecture and scalability up to 800 Mbps, the Compact is ready Dual Pole Radio to meet the requirements of even the most demanding public safety Mount Option organizations. Horizon Compact

Solution Simple installation “ Working closely with their systems integrator partner, Pinnacle Wireless, the and operation, advanced NJTA selected DragonWave’s Horizon Compact packet microwave solution, radio“ features, and excellent which delivered the required high speed, low latency IP-based communication reliability make the Horizon needed to support mission critical communications across both their roadways. Compact our preferred packet microwave solution for public The Horizon Compact was the only system that met or exceeded all of the key safety networks.” requirements established by the NJTA. Some of the important benefits provided by this packet microwave solution include: –– Mike Hayford, CEO, Pinnacle Wireless • High Reliability and Redundancy – multiple protection options including 1+1 and ring/mesh support for carrier-grade availability

• High Capacity Packet Architecture – Ethernet based platform is optimized for next-generation IP applications

• Remote Scalability – DragonWave’s Flex bandwidth allows for simple remote on-demand scalability

• Rapid Deployment – simple installation without digging up streets or disrupt- ing traffic

• Ultra-low Latency – ensures smooth delivery of real-time applications includ- ing voice and video

Success Story

The NJTA has deployed high-capacity packet microwave links using Dragon- Wave’s Horizon Compact all-outdoor system. Critical real-time information is now delivered across their public safety network faster and more reliability than ever before.

The bottom line for the NJTA and the motorists travelling across the Jersey Turn- pike and Garden State Parkway is the improvement in safety and efficiency that this new solution brings.

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