Personal Mobility

The major goal of this paper is to investigate the use of GPS technology in public transit systems with a particular focus on services-on-demand types of transit systems (dial-a-ride, jitney, door-to-door services, taxi, etc.). The paper argues that such services have a greater potential than traditional bus or rail systems for luring SOV drivers out of their automobiles and into public transit, given the opportunities afforded by GPS and advanced communications technology for more efficient scheduling and control for these services. The paper reviews advantages and disadvantages of various forms of public transit and then discusses ways in which GPS technology has advanced automatic vehicle locator (AVL) systems that have already contributed to improved operations of fixed-route bus systems. The paper then reviews available literature on costs of this technology and its impact on overall operating costs.

University of Minnesota

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 19-22, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota

As Intelligent Transportation Systems are deployed, adequate funding for operations and maintenance (O&M) quickly becomes a critical issue. Historically, Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds have been used as the catalyst both for project deployment and start-up operations. However, the challenge that most state DOTs face is identifying and securing long term sources of funds to meet O&M requirements. Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) projects can have significant O&M costs to DOTs.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has recently implemented two ATIS projects that advance their goal of disseminating traveler information to the public: a cable traffic channel and website featuring live camera images. With a focus on the right technological fit to the states needs and agency resources, these projects have been implemented in an integrated, low cost, manner that provides a framework for future private sector partnerships. These projects have also provided a great deal of positive publicity for the Rhode Island ITS program.

Rhode Island DOT

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 19-22, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Although there has been considerable research on in-vehicle navigation systems, many safety and usability problems re-occur in system after system, even in systems that have been subjected to some sort of safety or human factors evaluation. This paper describes those problems and a test protocol to identify them.

The test protocol, developed as part of the process of evaluating the four systems, consists of two parts. The first part concentrates on the control layout, destination entry, and other tasks performed while the vehicle is parked. The second part concentrates on the route guidance while the vehicle is in motion. Both parts of the protocol rely on verifying compliance with human factors principles as determined by experts (heuristic evaluation) as well as data from carefully chosen test subjects using the system.

University of California, Berkeley

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 19-22, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota

This white paper, DMS Message Effectiveness Tool—Signs of Intelligence for Successful Communities, offers practical advice, case studies, and the Skyline Products DMS Message Effectiveness Tool to help agencies develop their policies regarding effective Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) usage. A key to effective advisories is displaying messages that are clear, concise, credible, and actionable—such advisories help the agency achieve the greatest results for its Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)environment.

Specifically, the goal of this white paper is to be a reference tool for any DOT agency developing or tuning its policy on the use of DMS messages. Such a policy would provide guidelines for DMS managers and operators to relay clear, informative, and relevant messages. This is an important consideration, since motorists must be able to quickly comprehend the DMS advisory, filter the information as it relates to their situation, and take appropriate action. Of course, this all happens in a matter of seconds, while drivers speed along in complex traffic conditions and often in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Skyline Products

Presented at the ITS America Annual Conference and Exposition, May 19-22, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota

The objective of this paper is to define a performance measure(s) that can be used to show congestion levels on critical corridors throughout Virginia and develop a general methodology to select and calculate performance measures in order to quantify congestion in a transportation system. These measures can be interpreted to provide benchmarks or base values of congestion to provide a means for measuring change in the performance of the highway system.

University of Virginia