InSync
Rhythm Engineering reduces stops at traffic signals by up to 90 percent through the #1 selling adaptive traffic control system in the country: InSync. InSync is the fastest growing adaptive traffic control system in U.S. history and is deployed by more
agencies in the U.S. compared to similar systems.
Between 70-90 percent of traffic signals in the U.S. use outdated technology, are poorly timed and cause unnecessary delays. InSync is 100-percent compatible with detection types, controllers and other existing hardware to transform old technology into high-tech, traffic-moving machinery. It is guaranteed to install 95-percent faster at half the cost of other adaptive systems. Independent studies prove that InSync:
- Reduces stops by 60-90 percent
- Reduces travel time up to 50 percent
- Reduces fuel consumption and emissions by 20-30 percent
- Reduces accidents by up to 30 percent
InSync eliminates the need for traditional labor-intensive static timing plans by creating dynamic “greens” based on real-time traffic demand. Because InSync increases roadway capacity, it can delay or eliminate costly road construction, prevent safety hazards and reduce accidents. Request a copy of the InSync technical white paper to learn how InSync works.
Simple Configuration
Rhythm Engineering provides a simple overlay (plug-in) for existing traffic cabinet hardware through an Ethernet and web-centric system that allows remote viewing, tweaking and traffic data retrieval to simplify the work of traffic engineers and technicians.
InSync’s plug-and-play components are quick and 
easy to install and integrate seamlessly with existing hardware. It’s compatible with all detection types, cabinets and controllers, does not require any hardware upgrades, is easy to configure, requires little training and virtually no staff hours to maintain.
The components include a Samsung IP digital camera placed in a weatherproof enclosure that connects via Ethernet cable to the InSync processor. The processor is placed inside the traffic cabinet and communicates to the signal controller. Once Ethernet communication (wireless, Ethernet over copper, fiber optic cable) is deployed between intersections, InSync can be configured, monitored and managed through a user-friendly web page using a standard browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox.
InSync does not require installation of additional detectors, servers nor proprietary central system or software to operate. Vehicle counts, stop delay and level of service data for specific phases, times of day or days of the week or month can be conveniently downloaded into graph or spreadsheet form for the ease of evaluating InSync’s effectiveness.
Download more information about InSync components
Quick and Easy to Install
The typical InSync deployment timeline is 90 days long from purchase to project completion. After you order InSync, we procure hardware components, assemble and test your equipment in our Lenexa, KS headquarters, and configure and simulate your corridor’s adaptive settings. We send a highly trained technician to provide on-site installation training, followed by an experienced engineer who is on-site with you for the adaptive turn-on.
A 10-intersection arterial can be installed and controlling traffic in a week’s time, versus four to six months by other similar systems. Once configured, the system will optimize traffic immediately. There are no intersection geometrics or architecture to change or basic hardware to remove or install (beyond InSync’s IP cameras and plug-in processor).
Cost Effective
InSync starts at $25,000 per intersection — nearly identical to the cost of a video detection system and half the price of other adaptive systems.
User-Friendly Video Transport
InSync uses sophisticated Ethernet cameras. Because there is no analog-to-digital conversion, the cameras provide higher-quality images. The cameras use progressive scan CCD sensors, which enable moving images to be presented without distortion. The cameras deliver simultaneous Motion JPEG and advanced MPEG-4 
streams at 45 frames per second at all resolutions. Each camera can be accessed directly (bypassing the InSync processor) for video monitoring applications over the Ethernet network. Since the camera and zoom lens are available readily off the shelf, maintenance is very cost effective.
InSync is also web-centric. All you need is a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox to configure and monitor one or all four cameras simultaneously over a web browser from your office.
Innovative Technology
The system uses artificial intelligence to make the most effective use of signal green time along outfitted arterials. InSync’s high quality IP digital cameras work in concert with InSync processors to process images of real time vehicle platoons passing through or vehicle queues stopped at intersections. InSync uses its logic to filter and prioritize the calls for a green light through the use of encoded mathematical algorithms. In effect, InSync functions as a traffic robot that possesses both an “eye” and a “brain.” Request a copy of the InSync technical white paper to learn how InSync works.
Digital Controller Operations
Despite many technological advances in solid-state traffic signal controllers, at their core they still emulate an electromechanical controller by operating under the constraint of cycle lengths and splits. InSync, by contrast, is a finite state- changing machine. There are a limited number of states (compatible phase pairs) in which a traffic signal can possibly operate. Likewise, there are a finite number of “sequences” of those states that are possible and/or permissible at an intersection.
InSync thinks “digitally” regarding the best choice of these possible traffic signal sequences, and changes states in immediate reaction to real time vehicle demand and requests the controller to change the signal accordingly. InSync’s processor externally influences the traditional traffic signal controller by inputting two calls (a.k.a. one concurrent, non-conflicting phase pair) at a time while temporarily suppressing all the other computed lower-priority calls from the real-time traffic. The controller will honor the request from InSync unless there is some kind of human preemption that overrides InSync’s suggestion.
InSync does not use traditional set/common cycle lengths, set splits or offsets to a fixed point in a signal cycle in order to create coordination. The system is configured to make way for any higher-priority calls that go directly into a controller (i.e. from emergency vehicles) and broader parameters that are set manually by a traffic engineer.
Global and Local Optimization
InSync’s patent-pending technology uses integrated digital sensors that know the exact number of cars waiting at each lane and the amount of time they’ve been waiting. InSync processors also communicate to neighboring signals and inform them about approaching vehicles. Using this information, InSync processors automatically optimize light changes to create a profoundly simple and robust adaptive signal control system to keep traffic moving efficiently. InSync combines an optimization methodology of global arterial signal coordination with a powerful and agile local intersection optimization algorithm to both maximize and guarantee arterial progression while reducing side street and left turn delay.
The global optimization consists of “green tunnels” that pass through the corridor, guaranteeing the arterial traffic synchronized bands of green lights that progress platoons of vehicles through the system. As the traffic changes, the duration and frequency of these tunnels can be varied to best support the traffic conditions.
At each intersection, the local optimizer plans around these tunnels to serve the existing and expected traffic in the most effective way to minimize delays. It uses real-time detection data and short-term and long-term historical trends to make the decision of what phases to bring up next and for how long.
Detection Options
InSync works with your preferred vehicle detection devices. Our system comes with up to four IP cameras per intersection for use with our proprietary video detection. Or, if you prefer, use InSync:Fusion and combine both our video detection with your preferred detectors such as loops, radar, microwave or magnetometers. This gives you an unparalleled level of detection accuracy.
In addition to detecting vehicles, InSync can take other traffic needs into consideration such as pedestrians, emergency vehicles and trains/transit systems. The optional Intercept Module allows InSync to accept these calls and optimize the non-standard traffic along with vehicular traffic. For example, when a person pushes a pedestrian button, InSync intercepts the call and holds it until the optimal time to serve it in conjunction with vehicular movements. This prevents a single pedestrian from breaking progression or otherwise overriding more critical movements while rarely creating a noticeable difference to the waiting pedestrian.
Worry-Free Adaptive Traffic Control
InSync comes with multiple robust, built-in failure mitigation mechanisms. The system is able to continue to perform its duties with low or no visibility through its cameras or the loss of local or remote communications. Should the conditions warrant, the system can revert to fixed time-of-day plans available in the controllers or allow an operator to place manual calls.
You can configure what type of alerts or notifications you want InSync to send. If InSync detects unusual conditions in either the hardware performance, traffic conditions, communications network or other critical areas, it can send emails and SMS alerts to one or more people. You can configure who receives each type of alert by type of alarm, day of week and time of week.
Cutting-Edge Software and Support
When you enhance your intersections with InSync, you also get two software components: CentralSync and the InSync Web User Interface (WebUI). CentralSync is a Windows-based corridor configuration program that enables you to easily and quickly create, modify and test a number of traffic management strategies and variables using a Google Maps-based interface. The WebUI gives you live, interactive access to the traffic conditions on your InSync corridors. By using any Internet browser–no special software required–you can see camera views of every approach and access the individual InSync processors and traffic data.
InSync also comes with our two-year hardware and software warranty, including two years of unlimited 24/7/365 technical support. Although InSync typically requires few if any hours of your time, our engineers and technicians stand ready to assist at a moment’s notice with your adaptive traffic operations, giving you peace of mind and providing your motorists with a positive experience.