Safety

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new research and technology program – Driver, Vehicle, and Roadside Strategies for 2010 (DVRS for 2010) – adopted a data-driven methodology to maximize its research funds and to ensure that its research activities directly support the agency’s mission and safety goals.  The chosen methodology combines statistical analyses, a balanced scorecard approach, and the gathering of expert opinion to achieve the program’s objectives.  DVRS for 2010 is among the first programs within FMCSA to explicitly link its funding decisions to the agency’s performance measures and expected safety benefits.  A modified form of the DVRS for 2010 methodology currently is being integrated into all of FMCSA’s research and technology activities.  This paper discusses the DVRS for 2010 methodology, the program’s key findings and how some of the program’s components are being mainstreamed into research and technology initiatives across FMCSA.

Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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

COOPERS,  an  EC  FP6  funded  IP  deals  with  co-operative  systems,  enabling  the
communication of  real  time data between  infrastructure and vehicle. The main objectives of
this undertaking  are  to enhance  road  safety  as well as  to  increase  traffic efficiency. Drivers
should get  traffic information directly  into the vehicle, presented on an on-board unit similar
to a navigation system. Due to the fact, that a lot of user groups and stakeholders are affected
by a COOPERS system the requirements on such a system and its services are various.  

The underlying paper focuses on  the needs of  the end users, which have been categorized  in
two  groups:  private  and  professional  drivers,  and  further  gives  an  overview  on  the
methodological approach of the study.  

Key  words:  co-operative  systems,  road  safety,  road  efficiency,  traffic  information,
information service, user groups, user needs.

High Tech Marketing

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

This paper examines drivers use of advisory or warning messages displayed on portable Changeable Message Signs (CMS) and/or Variable Speed Limit (VSL) signs in different visibility, traffic conditions, and at two types of roadways; freeways and two-lane roads. In addition, it investigates the factors affecting drivers’ behavior in adverse visibility conditions.

University of Central Florida

Florida DOT

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operates a Courtesy Patrol program in most
metropolitan areas of the state.  These well-equipped and trained crews are dispatched to help disabled motorists and respond to major incidents and public safety emergencies involving
travelers on the freeway system. A pilot project in San Antonio is equipping these crews with
mobile communications capable of exchanging video signals between the Courtesy Patrol
vehicles and TransGuide’s Traffic Operations Center (TOC).  TransGuide operators can display
and distribute video from these mobile platforms the same as video signals from fixed location
roadside traffic surveillance cameras.  In addition, TransGuide operators can send video signals
from roadside cameras or other sources to the crews of Courtesy Patrol trucks while they are
operating on the freeways, providing them with advance information as they are responding to
trouble calls.  The ability to receive video at the TOC from moving or stationary mobile platforms provides new capabilities and opportunities for traffic management and incident response, but also adds new variables to the management and use of video information.  Advances in coordination among emergency response agencies, incident management capabilities, and maintenance operations are planned around these technologies.

Texas Department of Transportation

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

Transportation System Management and Operation (TSM&O) is a new program within the Florida Department of Transportation. It is based on measuring performance, actively managing the multimodal transportation network and delivering positive safety and mobility outcomes to the traveling public in South Florida. This technical paper describes how the program was established in South Florida and how the Department will work with local agencies to implement the program and manage a network of arterials and limited access facilities in real-time.

Transportation System Management Operation

District Four Traffic Operations Engineer

Presented at the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 2011, Orlando, Florida