Cross-cutting Issues

Telecommunications represents the next frontier in transportation innovation, in that many
applications of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies depend upon the ability of
geographically dispersed travelers to obtain information quickly.  As the ability to access this
information in the home is central to the success of many of these applications, deployment
of high speed, or “broadband” connections to residential customers is a key objective.  This
article examines the current status of residential “broadband” penetration in the form of cable
and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) use, as well as other, less common, media, then discusses
the opportunities presented by two emerging pathways: Wireless Fidelity and Fiber to the
Home.  The paper then considers current residential uses of the Internet and suggests
applications that transportation planners may want to promote in light of these emerging
broadband technologies.

Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
University of Minnesota

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, April 26 - 28, 2004 San Antonio, Texas

Systems designed and deployed nationwide for real-time traffic management have
resulted in a tremendous resource of data available for alternative uses.  To be truly
useful, however, the data must be archived and made available to users in a format that
accommodates their specific needs.  These needs may vary from operational tools
supporting the traffic management center itself to off-line uses such as planning support
and transit support.

ADMS Virginia is a project to provide such an archive and the associated tools that will
make the data within the archive useful to users from many different professional arenas.  
The project is being developed following a systems engineering approach involving
multiple “builds”.  An active stakeholder group is participating in the effort to ensure that
the end products are useful.  The design of the system began with a Concept of
Operations for the entire project followed by specific functional requirements for each
build.

The first build of ADMS Virginia is deployed and undergoing testing and review by the
project team, stakeholders, and FHWA evaluators.  Build 2 Functional Requirements are
also complete and software development is underway.

Virginia Transportation Research Council

Virginia Department of Transportation

University of Virginia

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, April 26 - 28, 2004 San Antonio, Texas

Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has been expanding their ITS deployment both geographically and in terms of added functionality and upgrade of some aging systems.This paper will describe some of these activities as they relate to the tunnel and freewaymanagement facilities in ALDOT, Division 9, in Mobile. The ALDOT’s Tunnel Operation Facility currently operates three tunnel tubes, two of which are Interstate facilities, an 8.5 mile elevated freeway over Mobile Bay, and the Cochran Bridge. The new Transportation Management Center (TMC) that has been constructed immediately next to the old Tunnel Operation Facility is take over the management of the above facilities and expansion of the coverage area to include over 65 miles of freeway facilities. This paper describe some of the challenges and solutions of integrating the older tunnel facilities with newer ITS devices and systems working together from one TMC. It describes the various electro-mechanical components and systems that had to be accessible by the TMC and the approach that was used to computerized the monitoring and control of these components and systems. Iteris Inc.,

Alabama Department of Transportation

Arcadis Inc.

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, April 26 - 28, 2004 San Antonio, Texas

Transport Canada’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment Plan funds Public-Private Partnerships for ITS deployment and integration projects in Canada. The ITS Deployment Plan has been an effective component of the Federal Government’s ITS Strategic Plan to develop partnerships with and between ITS stakeholders in Canada to support its ITS industry. In March 2000, Transport Canada solicited proposals for ITS deployment projects in its first round of funding. Projects were selected for funding based on specific criteria which reflected Transport Canada’s priorities for deployment. Applicants were encouraged to submit proposals and assemble consortium of multiple partners who would contribute their expertise and/or funds to the project. In the end, for every dollar the Federal Government contributed, it was able to lever an additional three dollars from other sources. To be eligible, proposals were  expected to support three “framework” documents, including Canada’s ITS Strategic Plan, Canada’s ITS Architecture, and a provincial or regional strategic plan. In addition to the funding provided, the ITS Deployment Plan encouraged the development of partnerships between industry stakeholders. It helped lay the groundwork and set out the framework for ITS deployment and investment in Canada. In an era of limited public sector funding, this experience demonstrates a way in which small public investments and a coordinated, thoughtful approach can result in the attainment of public policy objectives.

ITS Office, Transport Canada

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, April 26 - 28, 2004 San Antonio, Texas

Predictive Cruise Control (PCC) is a system that enhances and works in combination with the existing Conventional Cruise Control. Based on a predictive algorithm and elevation information
captured in a 3D map, PCC allows the vehicle speed to vary around the cruise control set speed within a defined speed band in an effort to reduce fuel consumption. As fuel consumption is a major portion of a truck’s life cycle costs (LCC) and cruise control is used extensively in NAFTA regions, PCC can significantly reduce the truck’s LCC.

DaimlerChrysler AG
Research and Technology North America, Inc.

Eaton

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, April 26 - 28, 2004 San Antonio, Texas