HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- An innovative project that captures data from the Utah Department of Transportation has resulted in improved traffic flow at base gates and a significant decrease in wait times for vehicles entering the base.
The project, called ARGOS, or Access Regulation and Gate Optimization System, is the result of a collaboration between the 75th Security Forces Squadron and the 75th Communications and Information Directorate. It has driven significant process improvements within gate workflows, cutting down routine delays and enabling smoother access for base personnel.
The system mines real-time and historical traffic signal data provided by UDOT to identify peak congestion times and traffic flow patterns at base access points.
“This information enables strategic staffing decisions that align with traffic conditions, allowing us to deploy additional personnel during high-volume hours while conserving resources during off-peak times,” said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Williamson, 75th SFS superintendent of plans and programs. “The result has been a measurable reduction in gate wait times and a more efficient allocation of our security forces.”
Credit for creation of the system goes to Senior Airman Jenna Skinner, a data technician with the communications directorate. Skinner spent six weeks learning UiPath, a platform that uses robotic process automation software, followed by deploying a UiPath robot to collect traffic data. She created data reports that would refine the information to make it usable by SFS.
“I made a visually comprehensive way for leadership to view the information and know exactly what the numbers mean, what peak times are, how many vehicles were entering the base and when, and other valuable information,” she said.
The technology gives SFS leadership data-informed agility to enhance both security and service beyond just immediate staffing adjustments. The tool can utilize historical traffic data to forecast potential congestion trends, allowing base leadership to proactively adapt operations.
“These predictive capabilities not only strengthen safety and security, but also pave the way for more responsive traffic management strategies in the future,” Williamson said.
Williamson and Skinner both agree that the development of ARGOS reflects Hill’s ongoing commitment to embracing digital innovation to support mission effectiveness and improve quality of life for base personnel.