Electromega will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions including Spectra 360™, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking; Optima 360™, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling. Ultra 360™ (available in late 2009) which will provide complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to expand our products and solutions into the Canadian market with Electromega. They have an exceptionally skilled and professional staff,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis.  “As we continue to grow our GridSmart strategic sales network, it is vital that we align with the right traffic partners and with a long history of success serving Canada, it is clear that Electromega was a perfect choice.”

“Electromega’s continuous quest for new, innovative, and state-of-the-art technologies to offer its customers, has led us to Aldis.  The GridSmart system brings a fresh new solution to the present video traffic detection systems,” said Pascal Lamoureux, Director of Sales and Marketing for Electromega.  “We are delighted to formalize an agreement with Aldis.  It will allow Electromega to provide an innovative and efficient solution to help meet today’s transportation challenges”

Under the terms of the agreement Electromega will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions throughout all Canadian provinces with offices and direct support locations in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

About Electromega Ltd.
Electromega is a leader in the dynamic and static transportation field across Canada in areas of traffic control systems (vehicle, transit and railroad), data collection, detection systems (intrusive, non-intrusive and on-board), on street and off street parking systems, roadway security, dynamic or static LED message signs and also LED luminaires.  Electromega provides its expertise, products and services to municipal, provincial and federal agencies, consultants, contractors and industries across Canada. For additional information about Electromega, please visit www.electromega.com or call (450) 635-1020.

GRIDSMART, SPECTRA 360, OPTIMA 360, ULTRA 360 and SMARTWAY are trademarks of Aldis Inc.  All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

“She will help raise the profile of the company’s next generation traffic control technology among leading transportation officials,” stated Malkes, “This is a perfect fit for everyone involved,” Malkes continued.  “Secretary Peters urged the greater use of technology to fight traffic congestion when she was in Washington, D.C. and making our transportation network more efficient and cost effective which is what Aldis is all about.”

Peters commented that the Aldis technology makes sense, especially as cities and towns are facing shrinking budgets.

“We can’t pave our way out of this problem of congestion,” Peters said.  “Technology like that being developed and implemented by Aldis represents our best chance to keep people and products moving. These systems are easier to install, require less maintenance, and cost less than conventional video detection systems. They are designed to save transportation managers money and more importantly, motorist time by making intersections more efficient.”

Peters served as the nation’s 15th transportation chief from October 2006 until January 2009.  She lives in Peoria, AZ.

“We are excited about expanding our distribution network into the northeastern region and look forward to teaming with M.H. Corbin to serve our customers,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis.  “With a long history of success in traffic safety and ITS, we believe the team is the perfect fit for our rapidly expanding group of Aldis channel partners.” 

M.H. Corbin Incorporated will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions includes Spectra 360^TM, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking. Optima 360^TM, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling and Ultra 360^TM (available in late 2009), which will provide complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality. 

Under the terms of the agreement M.H. Corbin Incorporated will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions exclusively in Ohio and cover other area’s in the northeastern United States including West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina. Current GridSmart customer will continue to receive sales and service directly from Aldis with the addition of local support from M.H. Corbin. 

About M.H. Corbin
M.H. Corbin Inc. is a traffic engineering and sales company providing a full range of construction, signal maintenance, sales and technical services. Based in Plain City, Ohio the company has been serving the traffic and highway safety industry for over 20 years. The company currently represents over 35 of the highest quality manufactured in the industry operating in five states. For additional information about M.H. Corbin, Please visit www.mhcorbininc.com  or call (614) 873-5216.

GRIDSMART, SPECTRA 360, OPTIMA 360, ULTRA 360 and SMARTWAY are trademarks of Aldis, Corp.  All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

“We are very pleased with the results and look forward to adding additional GridSmart systems around the city. This is an exciting new technology that will improve the way we handle traffic now, and into the future,” said Li Zheng Xi, Ph.D/VP of North China University of Technology.

The primary purpose for the GridSmart system will be focused on intersection efficiency and the city of Beijing plans to utilize some of the advanced tracking features to monitor pedestrians, bicycles and scooters. In addition, GridSmart will provide the city with rich traffic data to better understand patterns and indentify potential problem areas and find proactive solutions. The university’s ITS department will maintain the systems and collect data to further their research.

“Beijing is a great example of a city that is leading the way in deploying smart technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of their transportation system while reducing intersection wait times and emissions,” said James “Vig” Sherrill, president and CEO of Aldis.

Aldis GridSmart is available in China through partnership with China Sage Consultants, Inc. The entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions includes Spectra 360TM, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking, Optima 360TM, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling. Ultra 360TM (available in late 2009) will provide complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

About China Sage Consultants
CSC helps international leading-tech companies penetrate the Chinese marketplace with hands-on execution most notably in the area of sales and business development. CSC also provides supplemental services including technical personnel recruiting, IP audit, sourcing, and technical products trading support. For additional information about China Sage Consultants, please visit www.chinasageconsultants.com or call +1(714) 656-3488. 

GRIDSMART, SPECTRA 360, OPTIMA 360, ULTRA 360 and SMARTWAY are trademarks of Aldis, Corp.  All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Control Specialists will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions including Spectra 360™, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking, Optima 360™, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling. Ultra 360™ (available in late 2009) will provide complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

“We look forward to working with Control Specialists and their skilled staff to serve the southeastern region,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis. “As we continue to grow our GridSmart strategic sales network, it is vital that we align with the right traffic partners and with a long history of success servicing the southeast, it is clear that CSC was a perfect choice.”

“Aldis is the perfect complement to our strategy of non-invasive, cost effective technology for the smart highway,” stated Robb Bingham, National Sales Manager for Control Specialists. “Moreover, GridSmart adds to our solution set for safe and efficient intersection control.”

Under the terms of the agreement Control Specialists will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions exclusively in central, northern Florida, Georgia and other areas in the southeastern United States. Current GridSmart customers will continue to receive sales and service directly from Aldis with the addition of local support from CSC.

About Control Specialists
Control Specialists Company is a traffic engineering and sales company providing a full range of construction, signal maintenance, sales and technical services. Based in Winter Park, Florida the company has been serving the traffic industry for over 40 years. For additional information about Control Specialists, Please visit www.controlspecialist2.com or call (407) 628-1965.

“Alcoa is a great example of a city that is leading the way in deploying smart, cost-effective technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of our transportation system,” said Scott F. Belcher, president and CEO of ITS America.

Belcher presented Mayor Donald R. Mull with the Smart City award to recognize Alcoa as “an early adopter of Intelligent Transportation Systems and technology solutions to the challenges facing our transportation system.”

“This is an exciting new technology that will pay dividends long into the future. We are pleased to play a small part in its implementation and are proud to help support the process of bringing an Oak Ridge technology to market,” said Donald Mull, Mayor of the City of Alcoa.

The new GridSmart™ traffic management system, developed by Oak Ridge-based Aldis, Inc., provides real-time intersection monitoring and management capability that is critical for improving the timing and efficiency of traffic signals, detecting potential red light runners and holding signals on red to prevent an accident, and eliminating the cost and inconvenience of tearing up pavement to replace broken intersection loop detectors.

“Aldis was founded to deliver smart traffic management solutions to communities of all sizes and we are thrilled to be part of a community of progressive thought leaders in Alcoa. We are excited to continue to deliver solutions such as real-time traffic data to Alcoa so they can continue to maximize efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” said Bill Malkes, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer with Aldis, Inc.

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The Intelligent Transportation Society of America represents more than 400 member organizations including public agencies, private corporations, and academic institutions involved in the research, development, and deployment of technologies that improve safety, increase mobility, and sustain the environment. www.itsa.org.

WHAT:
The City of Alcoa will receive a Smart City Award from the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) following the unveiling of a new real‐time traffic management system, GridSmart™, that is designed to reduce intersection wait times and emissions, prevent collisions, and save taxpayers time and money by eliminating the need for the City to tear up pavement to replace broken intersection loop detectors.

The GridSmart system has been developed by Oak Ridge‐based Aldis, Inc., a leader in next‐generation traffic management systems. The revolutionary new system was officially announced at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in November, making Alcoa one of the first cities in the nation to adopt this time, money, and potentially life‐saving technology.

WHO:
 Mark Johnson, Alcoa City Manager
Scott F. Belcher, President and CEO, Intelligent Transportation Society of America
James V. Sherrill, CEO and President, Aldis, Inc.
Bill Malkes, COO and CFO, Aldis, Inc.

WHEN:
 Friday, March 6, 2009
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Intersection of Lincoln Road and Hall Road, Alcoa, Tennessee

 WHY:
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) like GridSmart™ will reduce crashes, traffic congestion, costs and carbon emissions. It is critical that federal, state, and city transportation officials make the best use of cost‐effective, deployment‐ready technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of their transportation systems.

VISUALS:
On‐location demonstration of new GridSmart system, Smart City Award presentation to the City of Alcoa, interview opportunities with transportation and technology leaders 

CONTACT:
For more information, contact Lauren Burr at (865) 680‐6774 or lburr@akinscrisp.com, or Sabrina McGowan at (202) 721‐4205 or smcgowan@itsa.org. 

Download the PDF: Media Advisory: Alcoa to Receive “Smart City” Award

Mr. Vanderhoofven is the Executive Vice President and a member of the board of directors of Eclipse Management, LLC, which is the General Partner of Meritus Ventures, and he holds similar positions with Southern Appalachian Management Company, LLC, which is the General Partner of the Southern Appalachian Fund, L.P.  The two venture capital funds make equity investments in low income and rural areas in central and southern Appalachia. Mr. Vanderhoofven has been involved with several local start-up companies and held an advisory role for Aldis prior to his appointment.

“We are thrilled to have Grady joining the board of directors for Aldis,” stated Glenn Kline, Chairman for Aldis and general partner at Battelle Ventures/Innovation Valley Partners. “His experience and vision as an advisor has been a great asset and a driving force behind our growth and we look forward to his continued contribution in this expanded role.”

Mr. Vanderhoofven is currently a member of the boards of directors for Protein Discovery, Smart Furniture, and Tricycle, and he was recently appointed to the Tennessee Capital Formation Board (TCFB). He is also a Board observer for SemiSouth Laboratories, and Zipit Wireless, Inc.

Prior to working in venture capital, Mr. Vanderhoofven held several positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He began his career at ORNL as an engineer, subsequently moved into business development, and ultimately became a leading player in technology transfer and commercialization.

Mr. Vanderhoofven has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University and has also completed an Executive Education Program in private equity and corporate governance at Harvard Business School.

With the ability to combine vision and logic, GridSmart may be used for stop-bar actuation (loop replacement), advanced pedestrian safety, rich pedestrian and traffic data (including vehicle types, speed, turn-counts, etc.), emergency vehicle identification, E-911 notification of collisions and adaptive traffic management.

GridSmart combines a 360-degree ultra-wide angle lens, numerous patents and proprietary software to create a single-camera solution that sees the entire intersection and several hundred feet in all directions.  GridSmart software integrates multiple data streams to make intelligent, immediate intersection management decisions, maximizing traffic flow and reducing wait times at the intersection.

“We are thrilled to be introducing GridSmart to a national audience,” said Bill Malkes, Chief Operation Officer of Aldis.  “Our system keeps track of every car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian approaching the intersection. GridSmart is a gigantic technological leap ahead of traditional wire loops that are cut into the pavement at intersections to detect the presence of cars. The high failure rate of loops generates higher costs and greater congestion on the roads. GridSmart is a low cost alternative for cities of all sizes.”

A newly installed GridSmart system hangs above 34^th Street and 8^th Avenue in Manhattan, just outside the Javits Center where the ITS World Congress is being held.  Attendees who visit Aldis’ booth are able to see first hand the flattened images and real-time data that the system produces. 

The GridSmart platform is user friendly, easily scalable, and includes a simulator allowing traffic professionals to model various scenarios based on real-world data from that specific intersection.  Data from GridSmart may be used for a variety of applications such as timing studies, evaluation of un-actuated intersections and providing real-time travel information. 

 ”This system gives states and municipalities the opportunity to cost-effectively move cars and people through intersections more safely and smoothly than ever before,” said James “Vig” Sherrill, President and CEO of Aldis.  “We are proud to be able to marry our roads with 21st Century technology.”