Cross-cutting Issues

As one of the four priority corridors originally established by the US Congress under the ISTEA legislation, the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee (GCM) Corridor has been the scene of numerous, ITS projects. One of the largest and most complex is the Gateway Traveler Information System (TIS) which is being led by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Parsons Transportation Group is assisting IDOT in their work. It involves the collection of transportation related data within a three state area and distribution of this data back to the sources as well as to the public and information service providers. It also includes provision for joint control of field devices across jurisdictional boundaries. While the Gateway interfaces with traditional traffic data sources such as traffic management centers, it also interfaces with non traditional/non standard sources such as 911 centers and weather sensors. This paper details the identification of these sources, the identification of what useable data these sources could provide, the identification what data these sources could possibly use and the process of arranging for data to be shared. Details are provided on how data filtering is applied, development of memorandums of understanding and negotiations with source staff that are unfamiliar with ITS. Sources which have been successfully interfaced include Northwest Central Dispatch (regional 911 center), the Illinois State Police, and IDOT’s weather detectors. Discussions are currently underway with Chicago 911 and the Chicago Transit Authority.

Illinois Department of Transportation

Parsons Transportation Group

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

This study quantifies the impact of placing ramp meters along an interstate in Atlanta, Georgia. The segment analyzed includes 11.5 miles of I-75 located 11 miles north of down town Atlanta. Atlanta already has 5 ramp meters and this paper studies the feasibility of placing 5 new ramp meters. Thus, using past & present data the projected ramp meter additions along the corridor were simulated. The complete 11.5 miles of corridor was analyzed as an integrated and interdependent system to determine the impact of different ramp meter configurations. These configurations vary in ramp meter location and timing. The study documented a 2 to 5 minute reduction in travel time (depending on the ramp meter configuration). This reduction in travel time generates a cost saving range between $116,000 and $907,000 per year. The cost saving was calculated only due to the reduction in travel time (this study did not take into consideration fuel consumption or effects on air quality). The cost saving was then related to the capital investment on ramp meter. A single capital investment of $40,000 per ramp meter was considered. This $40,000 does not include any ramp’s geometric changes. An amortized value over the $40,000 and annual operating cost of $6,050 were used to obtain the benefit/cost ratio for one year. The benefit/cost ratio resulted between 2.3 and 20.8. This wide spectrum of benefit/cost ratio is correlated with the wide range of ramp meter configuration possible in 11.5 miles of Highway.

Georgia Department of Transportation

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

Promoting Awareness of ITS Benefits to Customers

If you build it, they will come. Well – maybe! Planning and building dynamic ITS systems is becoming a reality worldwide. Safety and congestion reduction are among the obvious benefits to drivers. But no matter how great a system you plan and build, if you don’t let drivers know it’s there and how to use it, your project can’t succeed! Great on paper, great in its design, great in its possibilities … but what’s it worth if it goes unused or is not understood?

Missouri Department of Transportation

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

Intelligent Transportation Systems involve the sharing of transportation data among public agencies and with the general public. In order to provide for effective sharing of data, the Orion project determined data needs, including identifying the users of the data and the sources of the data. The Orion Data Distribution Nodes (DDNs) utilize a flexible approach and are configured in a centralized architecture. Data is shared between agencies over the Internet by means of DDNs integrated into the agencies' existing networks and Internet connections. The DDNs provide for network security and security for individual data messages. The DDNs utilize a version of DATEX-ASN and project specific messages.

Missouri Department of Transportation

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida

In the spring of 1997, the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee (GCM) ITS Priority Corridor began work on coordinating operations of Variable Message Signs (VMS) and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), as part of the Gateway Traveler Information System. A Task Force of the three state area (Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin), a toll authority (in Illinois) and major cities (Chicago and Milwaukee) undertook the first efforts to develop integrated policies and procedures, applicable to about 100 existing or pending VMSs and 12 HAR systems. Based on previous work and a new North American survey, the Task Force identified 41 coordination issues, prioritized them and formulated pertinent policies and guidelines. The results are now being refined and will be deployed on the Chicago area expressway system and in a demonstration area between Illinois and Indiana along I-80/94/294.

This paper summarizes the policies and guidelines and their on-going evolution and deployment, discussing on the manual implementation of the procedures in the demonstration area prior to automation. Issues of both agreement and disagreement are reviewed, providing a status report on institutional, technical and operational aspects of important traveler information in a heavily traveled area. A critical issue is how to define the Atarget audience@, i.e., local commuters vs. through travelers, and the associated message terminology. Another issue is use of active vs. passive message content (e.g., when to tell drivers to exit a freeway or tollway). The long range vision is to move from shared information to shared control of information devices, a challenge that may take several years to achieve.

Parsons Transportation Group

Presented at the 11th ITS Annual Conference and Exposition, June 4-7, 2001 Miami Beach, Florida