Personal Mobility

Motorists in Moorhead, Minnesota frequently experience delays of up to five minutes due to train operations in the downtown area. The Moorhead Train Detection and Traffic Control System will reduce motorist delay and improve emergency vehicle response in the area. The project utilizes video-based detection of train movements to monitor each train’s presence, speed, length and direction. Data from the detectors is transmitted to the system’s central processor, where algorithms calculate the predicted blockage time at several crossings within the downtown area. This information is used in three different applications. First, alternative traffic signal timing plans are deployed when trains of a minimum length are detected. Second, emergency dispatch personnel are notified of crossing status, allowing for more effective emergency vehicle dispatching and response. Third, a future phase of this project will alert motorists to potential delays with strategically placed variable message signs.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

SRF Consulting Group, Inc.

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

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and its Las Vegas area partners have identified a need for a freeway management system (FMS) to help manage traffic during fluctuating periods of vehicle demand on freeways and arterials, as well as provide enhanced incident response capabilities. The Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation (FAST) will combine the existing LVACTS (Las Vegas Area Computer Traffic System) with the new Freeway Management System (FMS, currently being designed) into one integrated system, maximizing mobility.

This paper describes the purpose of dynamic trailblazer signs and the types of signs that were considered. It then discusses the communication media that were considered for the signs, and reasons for selecting an existing 800-MHz voice and data radio system for use with the signs. A program to test prospective sign vendors’ compatibility with the radio system is described. Both an analog and digital means of communication were tested. Our experience with each sign vendor is discussed, and our team’s lessons learned are presented. To date, six vendors have tested their equipment with the NDOT radio system, and four are prequalified.

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

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

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies can produce benefits to many groups of Americans. However, significant training and marketing campaigns are needed to be developed to attract older persons, who may not be familiar with available services, identify barriers and gaps in technology and techniques that can provide accessible transportation for the elderly. Research should identify functional limitations and special customer needs, and to suggest improvements to boost this service to this market and effective coordinate with the various agencies required and currently addressing the aging American transportation needs.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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

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

Ramp meters in the Twin Cities have been the subject of a recent test of their effectiveness, involving turning them off for 8 weeks. This paper analyzes the results with and without ramp metering for several representative freeways during the afternoon peak period. Seven performance measures: mobility, equity, productivity, consumers’ surplus, accessibility, travel time variation and travel demand responses are compared. It is found that ramp meters are particularly helpful for long trips relative to short trips. Ramp metering, while generally beneficial to freeway segments, may not improve trip travel times (including ramp delays). The reduction in travel time variation comprises another benefit from ramp meters. Non-work trips and work trips respond differently to ramp meters. The results are mixed, suggesting a more refined ramp control algorithm, which explicitly considers ramp delay, is in order.

University of Minnesota

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