MAITLAND, Fla.-Two wireless mesh networks were announced yesterday.
MeshNetworks Inc. and Cheetah Wireless Technologies Inc. said they have deployed a trial mesh wireless broadband network throughout downtown Las Vegas in conjunction with the Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation organization of Nevada. The city is trialing the high-speed MeshNetworks Enabled Architecture network for traffic management applications.
The Las Vegas Traffic Engineering Department and other city agencies will perform tests to evaluate the network. The network could be expanded to the remainder of the metro Las Vegas area upon completion of the trial.
The network will provide high-speed transmission of large data files, remote access to signalized intersections’ Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption system, remote monitoring of intersection video, field communication and instant tactical networking.
In other mesh network news, Scientel America Inc. said it will build and deploy a mobile wireless mesh network for the city of Buffalo, Minn.
The city is located 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul and has a population of 13,000 people.
“Just keeping the lights on is no longer an option. Our goal in such a growing community is to improve on existing service levels and be more responsive to citizens,” said Fred Naaktgeboren, mayor of Buffalo. “Collaboration among residents, business, city personnel and departments is key to accomplishing our goals. This wireless system, along with the applications we run over the system, will help us do that.”
The city said it expects to realize time savings among city workers, street/park department employees and police officers with the network by automating data entry processes and reducing trips back and forth to headquarters.
The MEA solution is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year.
