Advanced Lighting Measurement System (ALMS)

A big data driven solution for nighttime safety

Introduction

The ALMS is an effecient lighting data collection solution for a big scale roadway network. The system is mounted on a moving car and measures lighting levels (horizontal illuminance) automatically.

  • High resolution: 2-4 horizontal illuminance points per 10 feet
  • High speed: up to 80 mph
  • High accuracy: 16 bit ADC
  • High range: 0 - 9.1 foot-candles
  • Low-cost: 1/20 of manual lighting measurement
  • Low-risk: No staff exposure in traffic
  • Formatted outputs: GIS layer, heatmap, photometric analysis
  • Vertical illuminance ready
ALMS device picture

Testimonial

2022-2023 - The CUTR team completed a FDOT project titled "FDOT District 7-wide Lighting Level Measurement and Analysis."

  • 58 state road corridors
  • 412 center miles
  • 1945 lane miles

2012-2021 - The ALMS is implemented to collect lighting data for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Seven and District One.

  • Comleted six phases since 2012
  • 400 center-miles in center and southwest Florida
  • 1.2 million lighting data records
  • Countinue to expand lighting data collection

2012-2023 - Application of the ALMS data in nighttime safety management.

  • Lighting retrofit project validation
  • LED/HPS comparision
  • Nightime crash risk evaluation
  • Impact of street lighting on sea turtles

2015 - The ALMS won the 2015 National Roadway Safety Award for Major Cost Saving + Protect Worker Safety.

FDOT D7 District-Wide Lighting Measurement

Research

Journal papers


Papers in processing


TRB presentations


Webinars


Technical Reports


Download



ALMS Firmware

Download the latest firmware (ver. 3.3.7) for ALMS 3-serial products (Serial number starts with 3). Run the self-extracting file on a Windows-PC and follow the instruction. You may need to install the usb driver (CH340G) to connect an ALMS device.

Firmware 3.3.7 build 2020.11.01 (for new bootloader)

Archived
Update Information

Version 3.3.7

  • Add file close for the STOP command

Version 3.3.6

  • Add initial reading at zero feet

Version 3.3.5

  • Add data field of DMI/TIMER indicator in SD outputs

Version 3.3.4

  • Change default timer interval to 85 ms (for testing)
  • Change the data type of bt_rate in EEPROM to usigned long

Version 3.3.3

  • Add Product Model Info (6 characteristics)
  • Fix Serial Reading Errors in 3.3.2

Data Manager

The ALMS Data Manager is used to download and convert data from an ALMS device. Download the installation file and install it on a Windows PC. You may need to install the usb driver (CH340G) to connect the ALMS device.

ALMSDM 0.0.5

Archived
Update Information

Version 0.0.5

  • Remove popup windows for deleting files

ALMS Controller

ALMS Controller is an Anroid app to operate the ALMS device. Please directly download and install the latest APK on your Anroid device. You need to uninstall the old version before you starting installation. Android 5.0 or later is required.

ALMS Controller v0.2.3

Archived
Update Information

Version 0.2.3

  • Add distance information on Monitor screen
  • Change minimum API Level to 21
  • Build at 12/11/2019

Version 0.2.2

  • Add display of product model information
  • Build at 12/10/2019

Version 0.2.1

  • Add display of system information
  • Change API Level to 29 (target) and 24 (minimum)
  • Build at 12/09/2019

USB Driver (CH340G)

Install USB Driver before connecting an ALMS device.

Windows Driver
Official Webpage

Contact

Dr. Zhenyu Wang
Senior Research Associate
Center for Urban Transportation Rsearch (CUTR)
Unviersity of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave. CUT100
Tampa, Florida 33620
Tel: 813.974.8998
Email: zwang9@usf.edu