Sochi 2014

Olympic Challenge for Traffic

The Olympic Games 2014 - SWARCO was there!

In February 2014, the sporting world looked to Sochi: as the venue for the 22nd Winter Olympic Games. The Russian port city was faced with major transport challenges, which it mastered thanks to SWARCO.


With around 350,000 inhabitants, Sochi is located directly on the shores of the Black Sea in Russia - also known as the Russian Riviera. On a latitude with the Côte d'Azur, the former spa town combines beach, sea, mountains and a pleasant, mild climate. An estimated 35 billion euros were invested to make Sochi fit for the 2014 Olympics: the first ever Winter Games in a subtropical city and the second Olympic Games in Russia after the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow.

Highest Demands on Traffic


In order to be perfectly prepared for the huge tourism boom in the course of the mega sports event, new roads, bridges, tunnels and state-of-the-art infrastructure were needed. One of the biggest challenges proved to be the almost 50 km long main artery of Sochi, through which all of the people flowed into the city. Here in particular, the highest technical standards in terms of traffic planning, management and safety were required. SWARCO played a key role in implementing a state-of-the-art traffic management and information system that captures all data in real time, enabling continuous traffic regulation. It is possible to react immediately to disruptions.



Optimisation of Control Services


What do SWARCO solutions look like in detail? A total of 123 Variable Message Signs (VMS) guide traffic and keep drivers on track. Each VMS consists of 160,000 individual LEDs and was manufactured and installed within a few months. The dynamic signage - consisting of 118 VMS - warns of dangers and always provides an up-to-date overview of traffic developments. State-of-the-art surveillance systems, cameras and radar systems keep traffic flowing and ensure maximum safety on Sochi's main artery - even today, many years after the Olympic Games.

„To fulfil the challenges of an Olympic Game, SWARCO implemented a modern traffic guidance and information system, including the possibility of monitoring and control of traffic flows which significantly increases not only traffic flows but also safety for the driving public.”

Gianni Canepari, ITS software specialist at SWARCO in Italy

KEY FACTS


PROJECT DURATION

2013


THE CHALLENGE

Keep traffic in motion on the main artery of Sochi and offer the highest level of safety


SERVICES

Planning and implementation of integrated mobility solutions


TECHNOLOGY

Planning and execution of integrated mobility solutions with 123 LED Variable Message Signs (VMS), 17 ITC Traffic Controllers, 118 VMS Dynamic Signage, 75 Cameras, 35 Radar Detectors, 11 Weather Stations etc...