Knowledge Resources

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

Consider user acceptance of driver fatigue detection systems to be dependent on ease of use, ease of learning, perceived value, driver behavior, and advocacy.
Nationwide experience with driver fatigue detection measures and technologies

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

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 electronic toll collection systems are interoperable with neighboring toll facilities.
The Washington State Department of Transportation’s experience with planning for tolling implementation.

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.

Build a strong partnership between transportation and public safety agencies, and establish clear operational rules from the start.
An experience operating a CAD-TMC (Computer-Aided Dispatch - Traffic Management Center) in Washington State.

Be aware of technology and training issues when pioneering new transit technologies.
Experience from the Lake Tahoe Coordinated Transit System.

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 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.

Recognize the challenges of using public-private partnerships in deployed coordinated transit systems.
Experience from the Lake Tahoe Coordinated Transit System.

Assess needs and communication infrastructure capabilities for the design of an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS).
Experience from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

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).

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.

Categorize each project by level of complexity and risk to determine the most appropriate ITS procurement package.
Experience from a review of ITS contracting methods and practices. Step 3 of the Decision Model.

Engage in project planning and make initial decisions about the ITS procurement process.
Experience from a review of ITS contracting methods and practices. Step 1 of the Decision Model.

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

Consider requirements definition and system design Issues for Archived Data Management Systems.
Experience from six Archived Data Management Systems case studies.

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.

Consider that integration with existing ITS technologies and the vendor selection process can impact project implementation schedules and costs.
Washington's experience in deploying five Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) projects and developing a standardized approach for evaluating ATIS projects.

Implement ATIS technology in a way that supports the maintenance staff.
Washington's experience in deploying five Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) projects and developing a standardized approach for evaluating ATIS projects.

Implement standardized procedures for sharing, accessing and storing transportation data across the enterprise.
Five transit systems' experiences with geographic data systems technology investment.

Beware of the likely trade-off between a decrease in the frequency of right-angle crashes and an increase in the frequency of rear-end crashes when considering installation of red-light-cameras.
Experience from a national evaluation of red-light cameras

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.

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.

Consider using real time traffic control system to overcome mobility and safety obstacles in a work zone.
An Illinois Department of Transportation experience using ITS in work zones.

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.

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.

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.

Use an interoperable transponder to assure maximum benefits to both the private and public sector.
The Washington State and British Columbia experience in using transponders as part of the IMTC ITS CVO – Border Crossing Deployment.

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.

Standardize the system environment.
Utah DOT’s experience using configuration management.

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.

Involve agency staff in the software development process by co-locating them with the development team.
Utah DOT’s experience using configuration management.

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.

Identify and then become familiar with available ITS technologies to be able to assess which ones are suitable and affordable for the organization.
Nationwide experience with assisting transit system managers in deploying ITS.

Consider the risk that draft ITS standards will not remain stable through further development when deciding whether to use them in an ITS deployment.
Hampton Roads, Virginia's experience with immature data-exchange standards for its Advanced Traveler Information System

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

Use non-proprietary software for ITS projects to ensure compatibility with other ITS components
Experience with the ITS integration effort in the Metropolitan Model Deployment Initiative (MMDI)

Ensure that qualified staff with expertise in telecommunications is involved, as planning for and designing a telecommunications network is complicated.
Experiences from the Departments of Transportation (DOTS) of multiple states in selecting telecommunications options.

Select map displays, computers, and software for transportation management centers (TMCs) that minimize cost and decrease complexity.
Eight states' experiences with map displays, computers, and software for TMCs.

Minimize problems in creating contractual arrangements for testing a new ITS technology by creating negotiating benchmarks, designing a partnership arrangement, and developing a separate procurement process for different technological components.
A Washington State Department of Transportation’s experience with testing of new variable speed limit technology to reduce winter accidents on a mountain pass.

Anticipate challenges with the ITS technology being tested, including problems with software modification and adaptation of previously developed technology.
A Washington State Department of Transportation’s experience with testing of new variable speed limit technology to reduce winter accidents on a mountain pass.

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.

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

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.