Florida Department of Transport Visibility Monitoring System | OTT HydroMet

The Main Challenge - Components Not Standard

The main challenge of this project was that all of the components, except for the SUTRON CDMALinks, were not standard station parts. Therefore, every component had to be extensively researched before choosing it as part of the station.

Each Station is Equipped With:

• A visibility sensor
• A SUTRON CDMALink Data Logger with Transmitter integrated into the enclosure (18”x14”x12”)
• A separate battery enclosure connected via a single cable wiring harness that houses two 55AH batteries to charge the station
• Standard fuses
• Quick battery disconnects
• Indicator lights to show that components are properly connected and powered
• Wiring harness that is 21 ft long and is equipped with miniature MS connectors 

Stations are Compact and Portable

The stations are compact and portable, so they can be quickly assembled and mounted on a pole as well as safely stored during transportation. Every element of the station was designed for quick installation and storage.

The pelican cases provided protected portability as did the easy, quick disconnects for the batteries, and the large enclosure for batteries to be replaced. The Visibility Monitoring System also included two storage racks for equipment, as well as charging stations for batteries.

Storage racks are powder coated steel that each house:

• Three pelican cases
• Two battery chargers
• Three aluminum enclosures
• Twelve batteries
• Racks which are about 5 ft high and 6 ft wide