Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Education & Outreach
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are transportation improvements that rely on the collection, transmission, and application of real-time data and information. ITS deployments assist with transportation planning, incident management, increasing mobility, and minimizing congestion to make travel easier.
ITS provide real information about the road network, increasing the efficiency of transit systems and the existing roadways, as well as helping improve emergency response time. ITS technology is used by emergency service agencies, transit operators, city planners, commercial vehicle operators, and by individual drivers.
Many ITS applications are visible on a daily basis: road signs that change their messages to reflect current road conditions; traffic lights that provide priority to emergency vehicles; in-vehicle assistance systems that allow people to contact help if needed. There are hundreds of different applications of ITS technology and services in use across America today, and each of these applications are united under an ITS Architecture, which brings different ITS systems together and coordinates the collection and dissemination of information.
Benefits
Intelligent Transportation Systems technology is used to increase safety, reduce delays, and maximize roadway capacity. There are numerous measurable benefits from including ITS in any transportation network:
- Reduced Congestion
- Increased Safety
- Cleaner Air
- Improved Transit Systems
- Reduced Operational Costs
- Improved Data Sharing
Applications
ITS applications are divided into market packages, categories which define what the technology is used for. There are seven main categories of market packages.
Advanced Traffic Management Systems
- Incident Management System
- Electronic Toll Collection
- Roadway Closure Management
Advanced Traveler Information Systems
- Broadcast Traveler Information
- Autonomous Route Guidance
Advanced Public Transit Systems
- Transit Traveler Information
- Transit Passenger and Fare Management
Emergency Management
- Emergency Routing
- Mayday Support
- Wide-Area Alert
Commercial Vehicle Operations
- Weigh-in-Motion
- Freight Administration
Maintenance and Construction
- Road Weather Data Collection
- Roadway Automated Treatment
- Work Zone Management
Archived Data
ITS in Whatcom County
There are many examples of how ITS technology is being used in multiple locations throughout Whatcom County:
- City of Bellingham priority signals for emergency vehicles
- Whatcom County traffic signals use loop detectors in road and the Bellingham Traffic Management Center to change lights
- Speed monitoring through portable systems
- Traffic cameras installed in Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Sumas, and Lynden and tied to website for real-time traffic considitions
- Advanced Traveler Information Systems use internet and signs in Bellingham and Blaine to show estimated border wait-times
- Highway Advisory Radio provides pre-recorded traveler information
- Transit security through Whatom Transportation Authority includes cameras and alarms
- Commercial Vehicle Operations use several ITS pilot projects to expedite movements through Whatcom County and across the border
- Emergency management systems - computer-aided dispatch, emergency vehicle tracking, and roadway service patrols are currently used with more ITS solutions planned
- Evacuation and re-entry manegement coordination being developed
- Border travel programs such as NEXUS and FAST for expedited border clearance; also the use of WA State Enhanced Drivers Licenses
- Maintenance management - construction deslay and routing information is provided to Whatcom County residents through the internet and dynamic signs.
ITS in Regional Plans
ITS should be viewed as tools that offer a range of improvements for all modes of transportation. Policies that encourage ITS applications can be incorporated into city and county comprensive planning processes and can also complement more traditional solutions (i.e. traffic controls and widening for existing roadways).
There are three ways that ITS can be included in the comprehensive plans of Whatcom County and its jurisdictions:
1. As an integrated element of other transportation stretegies - using an existing transportation or transit-related section in the comprehensive plan, include a
goal that specifically mentions ITS solutions. For example,under a transportation goal section one might add:
- Develop and implement ITS to create safer roads and better informed travelers through technologies such as congestion monitoring; automatic accident alert systems; on-board navigation; and weighing and inspection of commercial vehicles in motion.
2. As a distinct element - include a separate ITS vision statement or an ITS section within the comprehensive plan. For example, here is a separate ITS vision statement in an existing plan:
- To maximize transportation productivity, mobility, efficiency, and safety through the use of cost-effective ITS technologies.
3. Both distinct and integrated - ITS does not always fit under the umbrella of existing transportation stretgies in comprehensive plans. Some plans therefore create a separate goal in their transportation section to address ITS. Others simply recommend considering ITS options in other sections of the plans. For example:
Use ITS where appropriate to achieve the following goals:
- Increase efficiency of the transportation system
- Enhance safety
- Support transportation operations and planning
- Minimize cost
- Provide framework for system evolution
- Provide for system responsiveness and flexibility
More information and assistance on incorporating ITS into comprehensive planning
is available through WCOG by calling (360) 676-6974.
ITS Architecture
The Whatcom County Regional ITS Architecture is a federally mandated planning
document that provides a framework for the integrated deployment of ITS within
Whatcom County.
The purpose of the Architecture is to serve as a guide for the development of
ITS projects and programs and to be consistent with ITS strategies and projects
contained in applicable transportation plans. By law, it must be consistent with
the National ITS Architecture and include the following elements:
- Description of the region or project
- Identification of stakeholders
- Operational concept
- Interagency agreements
- System functional requirements
- Interface requirements and information exchanges
- Identification of ITS standards
- Sequence of projects required for implementation.
The Whatcom County Regional ITS Architecture was completed in 2004 and is the
basic resource document for existing and planned ITS packages in the County.
In 2008, WCOG will be updating the architecture, and intends to use the Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) template as part of the updating process.
Links
There are numerous resources available on the internet which provide more detailed information about ITS applications, costs, and benefits.
National ITS Architecture - The U.S. Department of Transportation's National ITS Architecture provides a framework for planning, defining, and installing Intelligent Transportation Systems.
ITS Document Library - The U.S. Department of Transportation provides an extensive collection of ITS-related documents and presentations.
ITS America - The Intelligent Transportation Society of America coordinates the development and deployment of ITS in the United States.
ITS Benefits and Costs Database - This website offers a database of cost-benefit information for national ITS initiatives.
ITS Washington - This professional organization in Washington State is dedicated to providing ITS information and education.