Knowledge Resources

Design a trip planning website to capture and convey real-world factors such as gas prices and congestion information.
Evaluation of a Multimodal Trip Planning System (MMTPS) in Northeastern Illinois

Enhance traffic flow in a regional, multi-state corridor by using vehicle probes to monitor real-time traffic conditions.
I-95Corridor Coalition Experience with Vehicle Probes

Use vehicle probes to monitor traffic cost-effectively, manage incidents and queue ups proactively, reduce delays, and increase traveler satisfaction along a multi-state transportation corridor.
I-95Corridor Coalition Experience with Vehicle Probes

Adopt a long term perspective identifying a business reason or an operational need for ITS based solutions and embrace performance measures.
Nationwide state and local agency imperatives for ITS deployment

Integrate Road Weather Information Systems program and Transportation Management Centers to improve internal operations practices.
Evaluated based on the experience of the Utah DOT's integration of their Weather Operations/RWIS Program with Traffic Operations.

Perform adequate analyses and tests to design, calibrate and validate the capabilities of a bridge security monitoring system in order to reduce false alarms.
Experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

In developing software for automated posting of messages on dynamic message signs, focus on the types of messages that are used often and changed frequently, and also include manual methods for posting.
Experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

Beware of challenges involved in developing an integrated statewide operations system for traffic monitoring, incident data capture, weather information, and traveler information—all seamlessly controlled by a central software system.
Statewide systems implementation experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

Develop an effective evacuation plan for special event that gathers a large audience and consider co-locating the responding agencies in a joint command center.
Experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

To support statewide traveler information services, design and implement reliable interface software processes to capture incident data from the local and highway patrol police’s computer aided dispatch systems.
Statewide systems implementation experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

Use simple menu choices for 511 traveler information and realize that the majority of callers are seeking en route information while already encountering congestion.
Experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

Be flexible to use data from various sources, such as the highway police patrol’s incident data, user feedback, and monitoring stations, to develop a statewide traveler information system.
Statewide systems implementation experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

Strengthen the ability to coordinate and manage operations for planned special events by co-locating a traffic management center with a public safety center with representatives from police, fire and 9-1-1.
Experience from Montgomery County, Maryland using ITS for planned special events.

Use portable ITS equipment to monitor and control traffic flow at major signalized intersections located at entrance and exit points near planned special events.
Experience from Dutchess County, New York using ITS for planned special events in a rural area.

When implementing traveler information systems that promote voluntary changes in travel behavior, incorporate functions for feedback, advice, and action-planning.
Experience with Mobility Management in Japan.

Use Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) to identify gaps, determine constraints, and invest in the best combination of Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) strategies.
Experience with the AMS framework on the ICM Test Corridor, San Francisco.

Beware that modeling may not be a suitable substitute for before-after studies of ITS integration projects.
Experience from Minnesota's Traveler Information Guidance and Emergency Routing (TIGER) Project.

Expect non-custom hardware and software to have technology limitations that may affect operational capabilities.
The Chicago, Illinois and Montgomery County, Maryland experience in procuring and developing advanced parking information system hardware and software.

Keep technical solutions open-ended in the early stages of an ITS research project, and follow a research oriented contract vehicle.
Experience from the New York Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) Implementation and Integration Project

When considering the use of camera phones in managing incidents, be aware of the challenges associated with technology interoperability among agencies and first responder priorities.
Washington, D.C., metro area's experience with using camera phones

Prepare in advance for severe weather by staffing enough snow plow operators and ensuring that public information systems will be updated with current weather and road conditions.
Experience from the 2007 winter storm emergency response in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Involve end users and regional stakeholders, follow agency protocol for software development and release, and gain upper management support when designing and developing an Integrated Incident Management System.
Experience with the deployment of an Integrated Incident Management System in New York City

Identify key design issues in the deployment of advanced parking management systems (APMS).
Experience from APMS deployment sites.

Involve all appropriate stakeholders in a formal and collaborative manner during each phase of the advanced parking management systems (APMS) project.
Experience from APMS deployment sites.

Consider the impact of different technical and design factors when making cost estimates for advanced parking management systems (APMS).
Experience from APMS deployment sites.

Ensure proper operations and maintenance of advanced parking management systems (APMS)
Experience from APMS deployment sites.

Utilize transportation tools in communications, traffic control, and monitoring and prediction to maximize the ability of the highway network to support evacuation operations.
Experience nationwide in the successful use of the transportation network in emergency evacuations with advance notice.

Include public and private sector transportation organizations as stakeholders in emergency evacuation operations and involve them in the preparedness and response planning.
Experience nationwide in the successful use of the transportation network in emergency evacuations with advance notice.

Utilize ITS technologies to improve highway efficiency in emergency evacuations with advance notice.
Experience nationwide in the successful use of the transportation network in emergency evacuations with advance notice.

Use a common Concept of Operations for evacuation operations that clarifies stakeholder roles and defines coordination activities for all operational phases of the evacuation.
Usefulness of a shared transportation operations plan in emergency evacuations with advance notice.

Make aggressive use of marketing to increase call volume and improve cost efficiency of 511 services deployment.
Experience from nine 511 system deployments.

Draw on the strengths of complementary relationships between the public and private sectors for successful implementation of ITS projects.
The E-470 Public Highway Authority’s experience in forging public-private partnerships for design, construction, operations, and maintenance of an electronic toll highway facility.

Coordinate extensively with agency staff and vendors when integrating a Transportation Management Center with Computer Aided Dispatch Systems.
Utah's experience with integrating a Transportation Management Center with Computer Aided Dispatch systems.

Clearly define information sharing procedures among agencies in an integrated Transportation Management Center-Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Utah's experience with integrating a Transportation Management Center with Computer Aided Dispatch systems.

Prepare traveler information Web sites for high usage under emergency or disaster conditions.
Experience from the nation's top traffic and transit information Web sites.

Focus on usability when designing traffic information Web sites.
Experience from the nation's top traffic and transit information Web sites.

Assess what users want when developing a traffic information Web site.
The experience of several of the nation’s top traffic and transit information Web site developers.

Integrate traveler information Web site development with existing systems and other organizations.
The experience of several of the nation's top traffic and transit information Web site developers.

Collect high quality data with committed workers to help ensure reliable and consistent 511 services for tourism.
Kentucky's experience offering tourism related services through its 511 Travel System.

Ensure users have easy access to 511 operators and tourism information.
Kentucky's experience offering tourism related services through its 511 Travel System.

Be aware of the challenges of disseminating travel information during disasters in rural areas.
Experiences of a panel of experts in disaster information dissemination.

Closely coordinate the content and delivery of travel information messages to the public during disasters.
Experiences of a panel of experts in disaster information dissemination.

Adequately plan for the ATIS operational needs for communicating with the public during disasters.
Experiences of a panel of experts in disaster information dissemination.

Adopt best practices for integrating emergency information into Transportation Management Center (TMC) operations to improve performance and increase public mobility, safety and security.
Experience from 38 TMCs across the country.

Invest in research and development for emergency integration.
Experience from 38 TMCs across the country.

Extend the application of emergency integration best practices to further improve emergency operations.
Experience from 38 TMCs across the country.

Integrate weather information into Transportation Management Center (TMC) operations to enhance the ability of operators to manage traffic in a more responsive and effective way during weather events.
Experience from 38 TMCs across the country.

Plan for the transport of special need populations, such as nursing home residents, during no-notice evacuations by advance identification of wheelchair accessible buses and shelters.
Experience from a no-notice evacuation moving residents from nursing homes to escape the plume from a hazardous-materials fire.

Plan for the transport of special need populations, such as prisoners, during no-notice evacuations by advance identification of the line of authority as well as the potential evacuation routes.
Experience from no-notice evacuations transporting prisoners from a county jail to a safe zone.

Consult with traffic engineers early in the process of no-notice evacuations to secure the use of traffic management resources and to identify routes for evacuation and re-entry.
Experience from an emergency incident in which 3,000 residents were evacuated under no-notice conditions due to a toxic chemical spill.

Identify a single agency to be responsible for maintenance of an emergency vehicle preemption system.
The experience of multiple agencies with emergency vehicle preemption systems.

Conduct rigorous testing prior to deployment of an emergency preemption system to avoid potential problems and negative system impacts.
The experience of multiple agencies with emergency vehicle preemption systems.

Employ the core set of measures, as appropriate, to measure customer satisfaction with 511.
Experience from Implementing a Standard Evaluation Approach and Measures as Part of the Arizona 511 Model Deployment.

Address the technical issues associated with using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems to access 511 and other N11 services.
Experience from an exploration of 511 Emerging Technology Issues

Adhere to the proposed standard evaluation approach in order to facilitate high response rates and to collect reliable data on 511 implementation.
Experience from Implementing a Standard Evaluation Approach and Measures as Part of the Arizona 511 Model Deployment.

Carefully consider the overall design and content of the 511 customer survey questions.
Experience from Implementing a Standard Evaluation Approach and Measures as Part of the Arizona 511 Model Deployment.

Pursue a vigorous 511 marketing program, especially to promote new types of information targeted to specific user groups.
An Arizona Department of Transportation experience in 511 implementation.

Expect to spend time and effort in testing and refining the voice recognition features of a 511 system.
An Arizona Department of Transportation experience in 511 implementation.

Incorporate mechanisms for capturing user feedback for system evaluation, including the ability to intercept incoming 511 calls for survey or focus group recruitment.
An Arizona Department of Transportation experience in 511 implementation.

Perform System Monitoring of 511 Systems.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Develop a user-oriented system for displaying travel time messages on dynamic messages signs.
Four American Cities' experiences with Travel Time Messaging on Dynamic Message Signs.

Employ the use of critical ITS technologies in the emergency management of transportation operations during biohazard incidents.
Application of technology for transportation operations in biohazard emergencies.

Employ the use of critical ITS technologies in the emergency management of transportation operations during biohazard incidents.
Application of technology for transportation operations in biohazard emergencies.

Use the U.S. Department of Transportation's Biohazard Operational Concept as a blueprint to guide the development of a biohazard event management plan.
Recommendations for defining the organizational structure, processes and policies for transportation management during a biohazard incident.

Manage response to a biohazard emergency using Emergency Activation Levels, an Incident Management System, and Emergency Operations Centers.
Recommendations for defining the system of direction and control of a state DOT for transportation management during a biohazard incident.

Treat maintenance staff as customers and beneficiaries of ATIS information.
Washington's experience in deploying five Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) projects and developing a standardized approach for evaluating ATIS projects.

Treat system operators as the client and consider their perspectives during ATIS project development.
Washington's experience in deploying five Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) projects and developing a standardized approach for evaluating ATIS projects.

Consider how implementing an ATIS system will impact staffing and training requirements.
Washington's experience in deploying five Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) projects and developing a standardized approach for evaluating ATIS projects.

Consider that ATIS deployment in rural and/or remote areas presents special challenges.
Washington's experience in deploying five Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) projects and developing a standardized approach for evaluating ATIS projects.

Provide drivers with sufficient managed lane information that can be easily disseminated and understood.
A guidance provided by the Texas Transportation Institute on providing user information in managed lanes facilities.

Balance project goals against the constraints and capabilities of project partners.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Anticipate last minute technical glitches when integrating computer aided dispatch (CAD) and transportation management center (TMC) systems and plan accordingly from the start of the project.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Anticipate the need for additional training during the initial post-deployment period to help ensure that system operators are familiar with all new features and procedures.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Develop early deployment and rapid prototyping strategies to improve the project development process.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Deploy ITS technologies including Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) for dispatchers and responders in traffic incident management.
Experience from the Florida Highway Patrol

Consider changeable message sign (CMS) positioning, data archive requirements, and traffic demand when considering deployment of a dynamic late merge system.
Experience of the Minnesota Department of Transportation in deploying a dynamic late merge system.

Follow accepted guidelines to create concise, effective messages to communicate to the public using Dynamic Message Signs (DMS).
Guidance from a Dynamic Message Sign handbook and from the use of DMSs in metropolitan areas.

Limit CMS message length to allow for adequate reading time at high speeds.
Best practices for use of CMS shared from several states.

In preparation for managing transportation in catastrophic emergencies, identify agencies and their decision makers to interact with, and establish effective coordination with them to execute response.
Experience nationwide with responding to catastrophic events

Ensure redundancy of critical components in transportation support systems to be used in case of an emergency.
Experience nationwide with responding to catastrophic events

Sustain ITS network operations and interagency communications during emergencies by ensuring provisions for alternate power supply and telecommunications services.
Experience nationwide with responding to catastrophic events

Develop and rehearse an emergency response plan for managing catastrophes with minimum panic, disruption and loss.
Experience nationwide with responding to catastrophic events

Minimize technical issues encountered with integrating ITS components by planning for issues and developing solutions prior to project implementation.
TriMet’s experience with the deployment of Transit Tracker in Portland Oregon.

Involve both public and private sectors in disseminating emergency management and disaster recovery information
A nationwide evaluation of Advanced Traveler Information Systems and emergency management

Follow a rigorous financial approach for estimating the true costs & savings from outsourcing highway maintenance services.
Experiences from Massachusetts, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and British Columbia in outsourcing highway maintenance services.

Coordinate extensively with other stakeholder agencies.
New Mexico’s experience planning, deployment and operating a work zone traffic and incident management system.

Use ITS to implement a reliable communications system in work zones.
New Mexico’s experience in planning, deploying and operating a work zone traffic and incident management system.

Ensure initial and ongoing success of ITS deployments by providing sufficient start-up time, maintaining flexibility, and performing maintenance needs in-house.
New Mexico’s experience with planning, deployment and operating a work zone traffic and incident management system.

Utilize technology sharing and training opportunities to form mutually beneficial relationships for successful incident management programs.
Cincinnati metro area’s experience with incident management.

Investigate procurement alternatives of leasing, buying, or building equipment to minimize operations and maintenance costs.
Montana Department of Transportation's experience in procuring hardware and software for the statewide 511 traveler information system.

Allocate adequate staff time for planning and management oversight to monitor progress and address issues.
Montana Department of Transportation's experience in human resource and personnel management during implementation of the statewide 511 traveler information system.

Provide accurate and timely road condition and weather forecast information to rural travelers in cold weather regions.
Montana Department of Transportation’s experience in designing and deploying the statewide 511 traveler information system.

Anticipate and plan for delays in deployment related to weather and the physical environment.
Alaska DOT&PF’s experience integrating a common technology into ITS and IT plans.

Identify innovative solutions for deploying Information Stations that report real-time data for weather and traffic monitoring in the event of a hurricane.
Experience from nine transportation management projects on hurricane evacuation preparedness.

Develop partnerships for a cost-effective approach to deploy remote traffic count stations that will provide real-time traffic data during a hurricane evacuation.
Experience from nine transportation management projects on hurricane evacuation preparedness.

Effectively communicate plans for implementing contraflow lanes during a hurricane evacuation.
Experience from nine transportation management projects on hurricane evacuation preparedness.

Adopt adequate and thorough procurement processes which cover purchases of both standardized commodity type equipment and highly complex integrated ITS components.
Silicon Valley Smart Corridor’s experience with procuring equipment for the development of an integrated freeway, arterial and incident management system.

Design the 511 system to handle the surge in call volume during major events.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Perform before-research to determine what customers want from 511 services and continue to evaluate the system after implementation.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Make sure 511 Systems are customer and market driven to help ensure they are utilized by travelers.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Understand that deployment costs of 511 systems will vary based on system capabilities and anticipate the challenges of identifying these costs early in the process.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Recognize that interoperability is becoming an important issue in achieving the vision of a nationwide 511 system.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Improve management and operational procedures during a natural disaster by extending and supporting communication systems and networks.
A Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) experience with Tropical Storm Allison's effect on the Houston Metropolitan Transportation system.

Consider potential system enhancements to meet heavy demand.
Utah DOT’s experience managing the development and deployment of arterial and freeway management systems

Define your agency's expectations of a new system and a robust set of system requirements and then choose the software that meets your requirements.
Utah DOT's experience using configuration management.

Get stakeholders involved in the process to increase the chances for successfully implementing a Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 system.
Experience from the New York State Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 Project

Implement 511 using the Guidelines issued by the 511 Deployment Coalition.
The Florida Department of Transportation's experience with implementing a regional ATIS program in the Miami tri-county region

Identify all transportation, incident management, and emergency response entities and strive to resolve issues with semantics and terminology among different agencies.
The experiences in multi-agency coordination, emergency response, and transportation operations within the National Capital Region on September 11, 2001.

Provide a single message to the public to assure consistency and to correct inaccurate crisis information.
Transportation agencies share their experiences in coordinating with the media during and after a catastrophic event – in this case, September 11, 2001, in the National Capital Region.

Provide a single message to the public to assure consistency and to correct inaccurate crisis information.
Transportation agencies share their experiences in coordinating with the media during and after a catastrophic event – in this case, September 11, 2001, in the National Capital Region.

Plan for system redundancies to ensure appropriate incident response activities and continuity of operations during emergency situations.
The National Capital Region's experiences in emergency response after September 11, 2001.

Provide traveler information in rural areas to allow for good travel decisions in inclement weather and construction season.
Oregon DOTs experience with rural traveler information systems.

Deploy ITS systems strategically to achieve benefits.
San Antonio’s experience with integration of freeway and arterial management systems.

Integrate freeway and alternate route operations to achieve greater benefits.
San Antonio’s experience with integration of freeway and arterial management systems.

Use ITS Standards to achieve interchangeability and interoperability for Dynamic Message Signs.
Experience of nine agencies using Dynamic Message Signs built to NTCIP specifications.

Integrate market research in the planning process for consumer-oriented projects.
Experience in the deployment of a traveler information system for Interstate 95

Identify methods to distribute automated vehicle identification tags to improve market penetration when collecting arterial travel speed information.
San Antonio's experience with automated vehicle identification tags.

Consider reconfiguring and integrating existing roadway management IT systems whenever possible to save costs associated with implementing new systems.
Phoenix’s experiences with integrating roadway management IT systems.

Involve the private sector in the implementation of multiple advanced traveler information technologies.
Institutional lessons from a partnership to implement emerging ITS technologies in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Allocate sufficient resources for technology deployment and operator training to improve incident detection and verification.
Experience of transportation professionals nationwide in developing successful incident management programs.

Manage resources to optimize incident response and clearance times to reduce the impact on traffic flow.
Experience of transportation professionals nationwide in developing successful incident management programs.

Follow a modular approach when deploying complex projects in locations with a shortened construction season.
Experience from the Integrated Corridor Traffic Management Project in Minnesota

Adjust the different expectations and motivations of public and private partners to prevent future delays.
California's experience with a regional travel information system launched by a public-private alliance.

Utilize well-equipped safety service patrols to assist highway motorists after vehicle malfunctions or crashes, and to coordinate a safe and efficient response.
Testimonials of the benefits of safety service patrols from staff of several state DOTs, travelers, and others.

Maximize emergency resources and response by utilizing Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) capabilities.
National experience with AVL.

Understand the market during the development of an Advanced Travel Information System (ATIS) to reduce project development uncertainty and produce a more functional end product.
Institutional lessons from a test of a wide-area network to communicate traffic conditions in the Seattle area.

Understand system standards and protocols to save time during the development of an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS).
Institutional lessons from a test of a wide-area network to communicate traffic conditions in the Seattle area.

Select appropriate technologies to enable emergency notification and response systems to complement traditional 9-1-1 service.
Colorado and Washington’s experience with emergency notification and response systems.

Provide consistent and high-quality information to influence traveler behavior.
National experience with evaluating user response to freeway management systems.

Focus on detection, response and clearance to improve incident management, only turn to planning diversion routes after these are as robust as possible.
National experience with incident management.

Plan diversion routes carefully to avoid negative consequences on designated alternate routes.
National experience with route diversion for incident management.

Consider cost-saving strategies and long term needs when making communications investments.
National experience with making communications investments for incident management.