Long Range Development of ITS Strategies: Concept Definition

File(s)
Date
2007-01-10Author
Horowitz, Alan J.
Duarte, Juan
Cross, Andrew
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Show full item recordAbstract
This report deals with the issue of how ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) strategies and technologies should be implemented over a
long period of time (e.g., 10 to 20 years). Many strategies can be identified that have long-range implications, and a few of these strategies are
particularly relevant to deployments in the US Midwest. Described are eight classes of traffic engineering and transportation planning
software that show at least some promise for forecasting the benefits of ITS deployments. Reviews are given for four exemplary packages so
that an assessment can be made about the advantages and disadvantages of existing analytical tools. The state of the practice of strategic
(short-range) ITS deployment is also reviewed. Information drawn from a variety of agency reports reveals that a unified procedure for
strategic ITS planning can be developed and may be amended for long-range ITS planning. However, to properly amend strategic ITS
planning for long-range deployments, it is necessary to have substantially upgraded analysis tools. This report recommends the development
of a dynamic travel forecasting model (DTFM) for this purpose. A prototype DTFM is shown to be able to optimize the long-range
deployment of incident management. Factors needing special consideration when performing long-range ITS deployments include (1)
developing appropriate scenarios and alternatives; (2) establishing a good staging process; (3) optimizing the use of assets; (4) involving
stakeholder input at the appropriate times in the process; (5) recognizing randomness in the traffic system; and (6) properly accounting for
changing technology.
Subject
ITS
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Long-range
development
optimization