 Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, is the application of advanced sensor, computer, electronics and communication technologies and management strategies in an integrated manner to improve the overall safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system. ITS applications in urban areas consist of roadside devices (such as electronic message boards, cameras, ramp meters, vehicle detectors, etc.) integrated by a communications network, and linked to central Traffic Management Centers where ITS professionals operate the system using real-time information and traffic management strategies. Vehicle-, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)- or Digital Cellular Phone-based ITS applications are called Telematics and utilize information derived from infrastructure based systems or live observers such as airborne traffic reporters. At the national level, USDOT has established an ITS Joint Programs Office (http://www.its.dot.gov/) to coordinate the national ITS program activities. A national ITS architecture that provides a common framework for planning, defining and integrating ITS was developed (http://www.iteris.com/itsarch/). The MAG region is nationally known as a leader in planning and implementing ITS solutions. ITS is already at work in the MAG region on area freeways, arterials, and the transit system. Recognizing the importance of ITS for managing the region's transportation system, MAG led the development of a comprehensive update to the region's Intelligent Transportation System Strategic Plan. The Plan was adopted by MAG in April 2001 and will serve as the "regional roadmap for deploying ITS" projects and programs in the MAG region for the next 20 years. Some of the key elements of the Plan are: - A Regional ITS Architecture for both existing infrastructure as well as for a long-range ITS vision for the region;
- A Telecommunications Plan for the region to support the architecture vision as well as to foster a desired level of agency connectivity;
- Operational and Implementation Strategies that outlined agency roles, responsibilities, and resources needed to support ITS operations in the region;
- An Implementation Plan for short-, medium- and long-term, identifying specific ITS solutions to be deployed over the next 20 years;
- An Evaluation Plan that provides a framework for evaluating new ITS applications; and
- A Training and Capacity Building Plan for ongoing training and staff development critical to the long-term success of regional ITS solutions.
The Regional ITS Stakeholders Group provided oversight during the Plan development effort and developed the following statements as the Vision and Mission for the region's ITS Program: - VISION: Enhance the quality of life in the MAG region by applying technology and information sharing to improve the multimodal transportation system.
- MISSION: To plan, implement and evaluate appropriate ITS technologies consistent with the national ITS program that address regional goals and objectives of the transportation users.
Please direct questions, comments or suggestions regarding the ITS Strategic Plan or ITS in general to: sjoshua@mag.maricopa.gov  Get e-mail updates when this information changes / Learn more... |
