Knowledge Resources

Develop a plan for the continued maintenance and sustainment of new mobile transit applications utilizing transit open data, to minimize the risk that application developers will stop supporting the applications.
Experience from Government Open Data Applications Contests

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

Allow one agency to be in charge of the procurement process when implementing ITS technologies designed to coordinate services between urban and rural transit systems.
A rural ITS demonstration in Poinciana, Florida.

Provide at least the recommended minimum distance between a GPS antenna and a radio antenna on a transit vehicle.
A rural ITS demonstration in Poinciana, Florida.

When developing transit signal priority (TSP) systems, consider using traffic simulation models as a cost-effective means of comparing the impacts of different TSP strategies on transit and non-transit vehicle travel time.
Guidance emerging from a TSP literature review and from an evaluation of TSP in Burlington, Vermont.

Identify functional boundaries and needs for cross jurisdictional control required to implement adaptive signal control and transit signal priority systems.
Smart Corridor experience in Atlanta, Georgia

Identify functional boundaries and needs for cross jurisdictional control required to implement adaptive signal control and transit signal priority systems.
Smart Corridor experience in Atlanta, Georgia

Be prepared to use local resources to service mission critical system components, and provide ongoing O&M training to maximize system benefits.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Consider procuring computer and network hardware independently when feasible and procure right-sized systems.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Do not expect to see significant operations staff reductions due to implementing ITS technologies, but do expect service improvements using the same staff levels.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Identify champions early to facilitate communications, project management, and staff ownership for successful deployment of a comprehensive transit ITS program.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

For a comprehensive transit ITS deployment program, select an agency project manager with skills in planning, information technology, and communications.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Encourage staff to find creative and efficient uses of ITS to improve operations through better communications.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Weigh in the advantages of procuring new information technology (IT) assets, and maintain an asset management system that details new IT inventory.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

To avoid surprises after implementation of a comprehensive transit ITS program, perform a detailed analysis of costs for operations and maintenance during the project planning phase.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

In deploying a comprehensive transit ITS program, develop strategies and requirements for planning, procurement, implementation, and ongoing operations.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Expect agency's information technology (IT) operations and maintenance budget to increase in order to train qualified IT staff to maintain a new suite of hardware and software.
Washoe County's experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Ensure that the management responsible for transit ITS planning is knowledgeable on agency’s labor contracts and how labor contracts affect effective utilization of ITS tools.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Understand that the contractor’s availability to remain on site after the deployment of a comprehensive transit ITS is important, so is the contractor’s ability to work with the original equipment manufacturer.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Designate the agency project manager as the single point of contact with the contractor and evaluate track record of contractor’s project management.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.

Develop a long-term ITS vision and use systems engineering processes to successfully manage ITS deployments.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Develop long-term vision and goals for agency’s ITS program and ensure timely completion of long lead-time activities to support future ITS initiatives.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Commit to testing the new systems thoroughly, develop an acceptance matrix to document status of testing, and perform verification and validation before introducing them to support agency’s transportation operations.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Consider developing a data warehouse early on to simplify the integration of subsequent ITS deployments and to efficiently manage operations of interdependent applications.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Tailor the standard systems engineering process model to suit an agency’s ITS deployment scale and needs.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Ensure proper sequencing of ITS deployments with careful consideration to dependencies among projects and utilize a data warehouse to lessen complexity in ITS integration.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Consider using virtual servers and ensure that all applications use a single database engine in order to reduce time and human capital required to maintain the additional IT infrastructure warranted for ITS.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

Reach out to a broad range of stakeholders and deploy early the projects that demonstrate easy-to-see benefits to build momentum for agency’s ITS program.
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority's experience in deploying transit ITS

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

Incorporate diagnostic tools to identify and verify problems in the transmission of video in a transit bus security system.
Experience from iFlorida Model Deployment

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.

Implement smart parking systems at sites that experience high parking demand, are located close to a major freeway or arterial, and are configured to accommodate parking sensors at entrances and exits to promote accurate parking counts.
Experience with smart parking in Oakland, California

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.

Secure high level management support and broad participation throughout an organization during the implementation and operation of transit automatic vehicle location systems.
A synthesis of transit agency experience with bus AVL systems

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.

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

Examine route-specific opportunities and constraints, and assess corridor market potential for transit services prior to implementing BRT running way improvements.
National experience developing BRT

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.

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.

Anticipate, understand, address and manage the risks associated with fare card technologies and the vendor relationship.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Understand the issues, strategies and trade-offs that motivate agencies to join in a regional partnership and provide appropriate support.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Plan for greater time and project complexity than expected.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Understand user and usability issues surrounding the development and deployment of kiosks and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems.
Experience from the Lake Tahoe Coordinated Transit System.

Consider a consensus organizational model to help assure support and participation of partners in a regional fare card project.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Provide for appropriate legal support services to address the many significant legal issues faced in implementing a regional fare card project.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Anticipate and address challenges to consistently operating a transit signal priority (TSP) system.
Experience from a cooperative project between Sacramento County and the Sacramento Regional Transit District in deploying a transit signal priority system.

Be aware of operational issues regarding the development of coordinated transit systems
Experience from the Lake Tahoe Coordinated Transit System.

Establish a coordinated fare structure to effectively accommodate differences in fare structures across participating agencies.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Consider the implications of ITS transit technologies on operational efficiencies.
Experience from the Lake Tahoe Coordinated Transit System.

Examine the contextual factors and carefully manage the associated issues that will determine the success or failure of a regional fare card project.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Seek a variety of funding sources to support a regional fare card project, and offer a finance plan that encourages participation.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Consider the value of implementing a limited fare pass system initially to serve as an interim experience base for a comprehensive region-wide electronic fare card system.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.

Enhance transit safety and security systems by integrating voice and data technologies and by leveraging video-based systems.
Experience with emerging transit ITS technologies and trends.

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.

Consider the pros and cons of performance bonds as they may not be appropriate for all types of procurements.
The Riverside Transit Agency experience with the terms and conditions for procuring equipment and software for automatic vehicle location (AVL) and computer-aided dispatch (CAD).

Exercise careful planning in preparation for issuing an RFP to help mitigate cost, schedule, and performance risks.
The Riverside Transit Agency experience with the methods of award and terms and conditions used to procure equipment and software for automatic vehicle location (AVL) and computer-aided dispatch (CAD).

Consider issuing separate awards for specific project components when procuring divergent technologies, equipment, or services.
The Riverside Transit Agency experience with the methods used to procure equipment and software for automatic vehicle location (AVL) and computer-aided dispatch (CAD).

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.

Install an electronic transit card system to enhance rural transit agency performance and coordinate human service transportation between agencies to achieve more efficient services.
New Mexico's experience with the implementation of Intelligent Coordinated Transit Smart Card Technology

Anticipate challenges in planning and deploying smart card technology in a rural environment.
New Mexico's experience with the implementation of Intelligent Coordinated Transit Smart Card Technology.

Involve and collaborate with a broad range of users during software design, development, testing, and deployment to increase the return on investment.
New Mexico Department of Transportation's experience in designing and deploying a web-based software application to simplify the increasing complexity of coordinating rural transit funding.

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.

Use transit intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies in rural areas to save agency staff time and create a more user-friendly system.
The experience of several states in the implementation of ITS to rural transit.

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.

Develop a detailed cardholder recruitment plan in the planning phase of the project, to provide guidance on processes to set pricing, and to ensure high user involvement and loyalty.
Orlando, Florida's experience with a Field Operational Test (FOT) on using a single smart card for transportation payments at facilities operated by multiple regional agencies.

Seek assurances from your suppliers and sub-contractors, that their production and manufacturing schedules will meet your project schedule and inventory requirements throughout the lifecycle of the project.
Orlando, Florida's experience with a Field Operational Test (FOT) on using a single smart card for transportation payments at facilities operated by multiple regional agencies.

Establish a forum for decision-makers and project managers to come together to receive project updates, work through critical project issues, make decisions, and support successful institutional collaboration in a project involving multiple agencies.
Orlando, Florida's experience with a Field Operational Test (FOT) on using a single smart card for transportation payments at facilities operated by multiple regional agencies.

Provide for large sample sizes when conducting before/after data collection efforts, to avoid impacting the ability to reveal statistically significant differences during the evaluation's statistical analysis.
Orlando, Florida's experience with a Field Operational Test (FOT) on using a single smart card for transportation payments at facilities operated by multiple regional agencies.

Include significant planning and development time in the overall project schedule to accommodate identifying and addressing the various compatibility issues, to integrate existing legacy system equipment across multiple agencies.
Orlando, Florida's experience with a Field Operational Test (FOT) on using a single smart card for transportation payments at facilities operated by multiple regional agencies.

Establish a clear understanding among all partners on the level of technical support to be provided by suppliers and integrators, as equipment provided in-kind or at a reduced cost is often provided with minimal technical support.
Orlando, Florida's experience with a Field Operational Test (FOT) on using a single smart card for transportation payments at facilities operated by multiple regional agencies.

Assure accurate late train arrival forecasts in support of a Connection Protection system.
Experience of the Utah Transit Authority in implementing a Connection Protection program for rail-to-bus passenger transfers in Salt Lake City.

Incorporate real-time bus and train location information in the Connection Protection algorithm.
Experience of the Utah Transit Authority in implementing a Connection Protection program for rail-to-bus passenger transfers in Salt Lake City.

Adjust bus schedules to assure adequate time to accomplish rail-to-bus connections, given the risk of late train arrivals at connecting stations.
Experience of the Utah Transit Authority in implementing a Connection Protection program for rail-to-bus passenger transfers in Salt Lake City.

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.

Recognize the value of other agencies' experiences when planning an ITS project.
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

Recognize potential institutional issues when deploying an ITS system.
TriMet’s experience with the deployment of Transit Tracker in Portland Oregon.

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.

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.

Provide ITS training for transit systems managers, operators, and maintenance personnel when deploying Advanced Public Transportation Systems.
Recommendations for deploying ITS for transit in Birmingham, Alabama.

Develop ways to raise awareness among businesses to promote advanced traveler information sources to their customers.
An Acadia National Park experience in ITS deployment.

Consider various technical applications and processes, such as using GIS, evaluating systems compatibility and the facility for upgrades, when deploying ITS.
Five rural transit agencies' experiences in applying ITS to rural transit.

Design the system to withstand the demands of the physical environment in which it will be deployed.
Virginia's experience implementing a pilot automatic vehicle location (AVL) system in an urban winter maintenance operations setting.

Design and tailor system technology to deliver information of useful quality and quantity, that the user can reasonably absorb.
Virginia's experience implementing a pilot automatic vehicle location (AVL) system in an urban winter maintenance operations setting

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.

When deploying ITS for transit service, perform a technology assessment during the planning phase, gather technology operator input, and designate a project manager with adequate decision-making authority.
Experience deploying ITS for transit service in a suburban area

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.

Establish a champion and open communication among stakeholders to help enable regional smart card programs.
Ventura County’s experience with the deployment of an automated transit fare collection system.

Establish a pricing structure for the new fare media that makes them competitive with other available fare media.
Ventura County’s experience with an automated transit fare collection system.

Ensure customer acceptance of new technology.
Ventura County’s experience with an automated transit fare collection system.

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.

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.

Install Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology to greatly enhance transit agency performance.
Different transit agencies’ 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.

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

Improve demand response transit using ITS technology, including CAD/AVL, with Mobile Data Terminals (MDT), electronic ID cards, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Different paratransit agency experiences with CAD/AVL, Mobile Data Terminals, electronic ID cards and GIS, all to accomplish improved operational goals, is outlined.