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

Using traffic control devices and communications equipment to monitor and control arterials and
freeways has brought with it new challenges and a demand for new skills. Many systems and
equipment procurements have occurred without clear traceability between agency needs and
potential solutions. A common result has been that agency needs are not satisfied. Such a
procurement environment, where no direct traceability (or a weak association) between agency
needs and provided solutions, often leads to project cost overruns, late delivery and even failed
projects. Applying systems engineering methodologies and incorporating ITS Standards that
contain user needs, requirements, and design solutions into the procurement process will mitigate
the risk of not satisfying agency needs. This paper presents a description of the problem, and a
description of a life-cycle process that uses systems engineering methods proven to satisfy
agency needs when deploying ITS Standards. This paper also provides lessons learned and
suggestions for success, and benefits of these methods. Examples of how the life-cycle process
and the systems engineering methods were applied are taken from the NTCIP 1203 Dynamic
Message Sign (DMS) version 02 Standard Implementation Project, sponsored by USDOT and
VDOT/VTTI.

Noblis Inc.

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

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has begun implementation of the FDOT’s
first managed lanes, known as 95 Express. The 95 Express Project was implemented by
converting the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, adding a lane, and creating the two managed lanes or High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Phase 1A of the project was open to
tolling on December 5, 2008. The FDOT D6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) played
an active role in supporting the ITS/Toll Equipment/Operations Team. This paper presents the
FDOT D6 TMC’s approach for TMC Control Room Operations, Incident Management, and
Dynamic Pricing. In addition, preliminary operational analysis was conducted to evaluate how
tolling changed travel patterns along the I-95 corridor, assessment of the dynamic pricing, and
the preliminary benefits of I-95 Express Lanes.

AECOM USA, Inc.

Florida Department of Transportation District Six

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

Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) was responsible for developing and integrating the
variable pricing element into the SunGuide Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)
application used by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The variable element
was used on the I-95 Express Project which spans a total of 21 miles when completed. 95
Express is an innovative, lower-cost alternative to traditional highway construction that offers
a variety of options for avoiding congestion. A variable-priced toll that adjusts to congestion
levels encourages travel in less heavily traveled periods. It also offers a toll-free option for
those who choose to travel in registered carpools.

Southwest Research Institute

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

Special event planning requires coordination and consultation with many from the local
community. Special emphasis needs to be placed on commercial vehicles and freight movement
to and from the special event to assure timely delivery and as little disruption of traffic as
possible. However, in this planning process many times the most obvious of coordination is
sometimes forgotten that being commercial vehicle through traffic and the movement of freight both by large commercial vehicles and local delivery during these events. This failure has a direct impact on the local economy and business in general and the statewide economic stimulus that freight provides.
The use of technologies such as DMS signs, CB Wizards and 511 can assist in letting this vital
group know of preplanned detour routes and times when freight flow may be severely impacted allowing them to plan for alternative routes or delivery times. This paper will provide
information on how to reach out to those areas and the best practices used in these events.

Florida Department of Transportation

Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates

University of Central Florida

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