Commercial Operations

In 2007, the New York State Department of Transportation, in partnership with the New
York State Fair, New York State Thruway Authority, and Traffic Technologies Inc., launched
a pilot operation and developed an innovative, unique and robust system to help improve
traffic management at the Great New York State Fair, held annually in Syracuse, NY. The
system is self-contained in small standalone trailers referred to as Mobile E-ZPass Units. The
Mobile E-ZPass Unit (MEU) utilized E-ZPass Plus Electronic Toll Collection technology to
speed parking fee acquisition and improve traffic flow into the State Fair’s parking grounds at
different locations. TTI designed the system by integrating hardware components and
developing software to operate with NYSTA supplied mGate readers and Automatic Vehicle
Identification (AVI) antennas (purchased from Mark IV Industries Corp) on retrofitted
NYSDOT trailers. Each MEU embodies a computer control system, a power system, an
mGate tag reader and antenna system mounted on an overhead arm structure over an E-ZPass
designated toll lane, allowing motorists with E-ZPass tags to pay for parking through their EZPass
accounts. This first time use of the MEU was successful as it demonstrated a safe and
time saving mobile system mechanism that improved traffic flow conditions throughout the
course of the Fair.

New York State Department of Transportation

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

Special  Use  Lanes  (SULs)  such  as  High  Occupancy  Vehicle  lanes  provide  better  Level  of
Service  to  drivers  who  use  them  and  have  the  potential  to  significantly  increase  the  person-
carrying capacity of the transportation network.  SUL capacity issues are explored in this paper.
The  capacity  analysis  and  findings  are  based  on  the  author’s  dissertation  work  which  involved
data  analysis  of  SUL  facilities  and  the  development  of  a  mathematical  model  of  an  SUL
segment.  SUL  demand  issues  are  also  described  in  this  paper.    The  factors  that  affect  SUL
capacity  and  demand  can  be  managed  by  the  judicious  use  of  ITS  technologies  to  ensure  the
efficient and effective operations of SUL facilities. These ITS technologies for vehicle detection
and surveillance, and potential solutions for lane enforcement are discussed in this paper.

Nakanishi Research and Consulting, LLC

Presented at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

With respect to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, driver behavior is very important. In
order to establish a fair policy of tolling based on CO2 emissions, it is then of uttermost
importance that a distinction between “good” and “bad” drivers is established, and that the
“ecological toll” is proportional to the actual CO2 emissions of the vehicle as it is driven by a
specific driver. In short, CO2 taxation should be inline with the “pay per use” philosophy that
is now becoming prevalent in the road domain.
 
This charge – named “eco toll” onwards – is based on numerical correlations for fuel
consumption and CO2 emissions of gasoline and diesel light-duty vehicles. These correlations
can then be incorporated in the vehicle “Road User Charging OBU” so a taxation policy based
on CO2 emissions can be applied in certain zones, instead or on top of, other tolls. The
combination the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning with the estimation
of the CO2 emissions can provide a sound platform for the eco-toll. 

Skysoft Portugal

Instituto Superior Técnico – Technical University of Lisbon

Presented at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

Use of robust traffic detection and advanced data archives in comprehensive performance
assessment
• Performance assessment and operational analysis methods in measuring impact of ITS
strategies at a corridor level
• Interagency coordination in San Francisco Bay Area in corridor management planning
• Impact of results to date and expected value of future results

California Department of Transportation, District 4

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York

The opening of the European market for freight and passenger services has initiated the need
of new, cost efficient locomotives which fulfill the specific requirements of each country and
comply with new European standards. The TRAXX locomotive platform was developed to
address these new needs for freight throughout continental Europe. The technological
challenges were mastered with a high level of component and system integration as well as
with new developments. Important innovations were in the power conversion systems, in the
design of the operator’s desk, in the development of automatic train protection systems based
on ETCS and in advanced adhesion control schemes. Today, the TRAXX locomotives operate
cross-border on long-haul routes throughout Europe allowing short turnaround times, low
overall transportation cost and increased quality of service.

Bombardier Transportation

Presented at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, November 16-20, 2008, New York, New York