Commercial Operations

The National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP) standards
have been in existence for over 10 years. Early deployments of NTCIP had many issues as
deployers had difficulties getting their systems operational. NTCIP is now widely deployed and
accepted across the country as the communications protocol of choice for the transportation
industry. This paper is written to agencies and consultants providing an up-to-date, accurate and
concise primer on NTCIP center-to-field communications. It describes NTCIP in an easy to
understand fashion through a series of questions: "Why NTCIP?", "How does NTCIP work?",
"How is NTCIP specified?", "How is NTCIP tested?" and "What are the lessons learned?" The
specification of NTCIP is described in a unique step by step fashion including a flow chart to
help users identify the NTCIP profiles standards they will need. The paper also introduces the
new NTCIP Guide Version 4 that was just recently accepted as a Recommended Information
Report by the NTCIP Joint Committee.

Ralph W. Boaz

Paper submitted for publication and presentation at the ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

An Arterial Travel Time solution has been developed that provides high vehicle match rates
while maintaining complete user privacy. The system re-identifies the magnetic signatures
from vehicles as they pass over in-pavement sensor arrays at different points of interest. The
system outputs the complete and accurate distribution of travel times for the arterial, even in
the presence of signalized intersections.
This paper presents the theory of application of this Arterial Travel Time solution, a review
as to the importance of vehicle match rates, the ground truth methodology used to verify
performance and a review of its deployment by San Diego Association of Governments
(SANDAG) in Chula Vista, California.

Sensys Networks

Paper submitted for publication and presentation at the ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

Active Traffic Management (ATM) integrates the use of numerous traffic management and
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) tools to manage traffic flow as a means to mitigate
traffic congestion under recurring and non-recurring conditions. These tools may include
dynamic lane assignment, variable speed limits, part-time utilization of shoulders as traffic
lanes, queue warning and contra-flow operations. ATM has most frequently been deployed in
Europe, as well as some bridges and tunnels in the U.S., but is increasingly being investigated
for U.S. freeway applications, both for permanent and work zone applications. Benefits
include reductions in accidents along with reduction in congestion due to optimization of
traffic flow. This paper provides a current overview of ATM applications in the U.S. and
abroad, as well as an overview of suggested next steps in ATM deployment.

HNTB Corporation

Paper submitted for publication and presentation at the ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) strategies have been proposed as a composition of solutions for improving safety and optimizing vehicular and person throughput along an entire corridor. A portion of I-75 located in southeast Michigan is scheduled for extensive construction and rehabilitation. To prepare for the anticipated loss of capacity on I-75, MDOT performed a study to evaluate ICM solutions that could improve multi-modal throughput on the designated corridor located in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. The stakeholder representation included agencies responsible for the roadway networks, transit, and public safety within the designated study area. Facilitated by a transportation consultant, the stakeholders identified corridor needs, assessed the corridor infrastructure, and identified opportunities to improve travel outcomes for users of the corridor through improved inter-agency coordination and the application of technology and traveler information.

Kimley-Horn and Associates

Paper submitted for publication and presentation at the ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

New York City traffic and transit agencies wanted to expedite bus travel and
considered assessing signal priority strategies that extend the green signal, or truncate the red, to get to the next green. A study was conducted with computer simulation software, followed by
implementation of a pilot field test. The project, on Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, included
several studies, including 1) just transit signal priority, 2) just signal timing optimization, and
then 3) both measures: inbound (to a major ferry terminal) in the morning and outbound in the
evening. With both optimization and transit signal priority, travel time for buses was reduced by
17% in the morning and 11% in evening. It was concluded that signal priority can expedite
transit vehicles without impacting non-transit traffic. Benefits are best achieved if bus stops are
located on the far side of an intersection and if adequate efforts are made at optimization of the
signal settings.

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.

New York City Department of Transportation

Paper submitted for publication and presentation at the ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition