I-70 Corridor ITS Study identifies system costs for several technology applications.
Made Public Date
07/12/2013
Identifier
2013-SC00287
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Summary Information

The purpose of the I-70 Corridor Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Technology Applications Study was to evaluate and plan for innovative technologies that could enhance the safety and mobility within the I-70 Corridor between Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. This report discussed the following ITS applications currently implemented or planned for deployment by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

  • Dynamic Message Signs (DMS)
  • Lane Control Signal System
  • Fog Warning Systems
  • Weather Data Sharing Networks
  • Side Collision Warning Systems (Blind Spot Warning)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Surveillance Cameras
  • Traffic Flow Monitoring
  • Hazardous Material Emergency Response
  • Enhanced Weigh Stations Applications
  • Enhanced Work Zones
  • Tolling Systems
  • Communications/Utility Corridor - Fiber Optic Backbone

Resources and Costs

Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS)

The Clarus system is a multi-state network that collects and shares road weather information (weather, pavement, and water level data) using environmental sensing stations (ESS) to support transportation managers, weather specialists, and drivers. Connecting increasing numbers of ESS stations is a major cost driver for the informational network. The following table provides general cost estimates for data sharing components.

 

 

Number of ESS Site Metadata Climate Metadata Equipment Software and hardware Total Cost
1 to 25 ESS $3,000 $500 $2,000 $4,500 $10,000
20-50 ESS $5,000 $1,000 $2,000 $4,500 $12,500

Source: 6th Clarus ICC Meeting August 2008, Reno, Nevada.

Fog Warning Systems

Fog warning system costs depend primarily on the complexity of the system and size of the coverage area. These systems typically use existing ESS visibility sensors or cameras and use wireless communication links to activate flashers on roadside warning signs and post control messages on DMS. The table below provides estimated costs for a fog warning system on I-68 in Maryland.

 

 

Item Total Project Cost
Cost of New Infrastructure $125,000
Cost of Modifying an Existing RWIS $75,000

Source: Fog detection and warning system installation on I-68 in Maryland (2003).

Dynamic Message Signs (DMS)

  • Contractor bid tabulations given to estimate relocation costs for an existing DMS on I-70 ranged from $30,000 to $40,000 per sign. The estimate assumed that existing hardware and structure was reused.
  • Estimated costs for a new DMS ranged from $100,000 to $120,000 (including installation) and included costs for the associated cabinet, power supply, and a connection to the network backbone.

Lane Control Signal System

  • The cost of a lane control system used to help trucks merge onto highways was estimated at $80,000 to $90,000 per ramp.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

CCTV camera systems typically include costs for the camera mount (i.e., pole mount), hardware equipment cabinet, power service, and a communications connection.

  • On I-70, I-29 and I-35, the cost per camera site was estimated at $50,000.

Traffic Flow Monitoring

Costs for traffic flow monitoring generally depend on the type of technology selected. Transponder based systems are most common.

  • Detection systems cost about $15,000 per site to cover one direction of traffic or about $30,000 to cover both directions.
  • Installation costs are much less if collocated with a DMS or CCTV installation.

Side Collision Warning Systems (Blind Spot Warning)

Side collision warning systems can provide visual and audible alerts to drivers when objects are detected in vehicle blind spots. Some systems provide the driver with a digital display to show the distance between the vehicle and the detected object, while other systems use visual indicators or lights on side view mirrors.

  • FMCSA estimates that the costs of a side collision warning system can range from $760 to $2,000 per vehicle depending on the type of system selected, the installation costs, and the level of integration with other on-board systems.

Hazardous Material Emergency Response

The Kansas City Scout program implemented an emergency response system to enable local municipalities to share video.

  • Implementation costs were estimated at $50,000 for a Web based system.
  • Technology used to share video between emergency responders would have similar costs.

Enhanced Weigh Stations Applications

Virtual weigh stations can monitor traffic in truck-only lanes without having to purchase extensive right of way adjacent to the mainline for weigh station construction.

  • Based on requests to FMCSA for Federal CVISN Deployment funds, estimated costs for a virtual weigh station system ranged from $300,000 to $1,400,000 (FHWA Concept of Operations of Virtual Weigh Station, June 2009).

Enhanced Work Zones

Costs for Smart Work Zones depend on the duration of the project, and the number of DMS units, traffic sensors, and portable cameras required. The Illinois DOT implemented a Smart Work Zone on a 40-mile section of I-55 in Springfield. The system used 17 remotely controlled DMS, eight portable traffic sensors, and four portable cameras linked to a base station for 16 months (February 2001 to May 2002).

  • The total cost for the lease including 24-hour contractor support was estimated at $785,000.

Tolling Systems

The cost data shown below were compiled from national averages of similar toll facilities.

 

Item
Unit
Cost
Toll Gantry Per Gantry
$300,000
Toll Lane Equipment Per Lane
$200,000
Toll Vehicle Enforcement System (VES) Data Host Per Toll System
$1.0 million to $1.5 million
Host Servers and Functions Per Toll System
$300,000
TMC/Video Control Per TMC
$500,000
Transponders Per Transponder
$10 to $40


Communications/Utility Corridor - Fiber Optic Backbone

Communication backbones were studied in three areas of the United States.

 

  • Interstate 90 through South Dakota, southern Minnesota, northern Iowa and central and western Wisconsin
  • Interstate 20 through northern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama
  • Interstate 91 through Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.
  • The average cost to implement a fiber optic backbone that uses 48-fiber cable conduit, access hand holes and signal regeneration buildings can range from $70,000 to $200,000 per mile. Cost per mile varies greatly depending on the terrain and soil conditions. Costs would be less if the conduit were installed in conjunction with a roadway construction project.
System Cost

See summary

Taxonomy (ARC-IT) Commercial Vehicle Operations »
Electronic Clearance (CVO03)
,
Commercial Vehicle Operations »
Smart Roadside and Virtual WIM (CVO08)
,
Commercial Vehicle Operations »
Intelligent Access Program - Weight Monitoring (CVO18)
,
Traffic Management »
Dynamic Roadway Warning (TM12)
,
Vehicle Safety »
Road Weather Motorist Alert and Warning (VS07)
,
Weather »
Weather Information Processing and Distribution (WX02)
,
Public Transportation »
Transit Vehicle at Station/Stop Warnings (PT12)
,
Public Transportation »
Vehicle Turning Right in Front of a Transit Vehicle (PT13)
,
Vehicle Safety »
Autonomous Vehicle Safety Systems (VS01)
,
Traffic Management »
Electronic Toll Collection (TM10)
,
Traffic Management »
Road Use Charging (TM11)
,
Public Safety »
Vehicle Emergency Response (PS05)
,
Public Safety »
Incident Scene Pre-Arrival Staging Guidance for Emergency Responders (PS06)
,
Public Safety »
Disaster Response and Recovery (PS12)
,
Traffic Management »
Traffic Information Dissemination (TM06)
,
Traffic Management »
Integrated Decision Support and Demand Management (TM09)
,
Public Transportation »
Intermittent Bus Lanes (PT10)
,
Traffic Management »
Regional Traffic Management (TM07)
,
Vehicle Safety »
Restricted Lane Warnings (VS10)
,
Traffic Management »
Infrastructure-Based Traffic Surveillance (TM01)
,
Maintenance and Construction »
Roadway Automated Treatment (MC03)
,
Weather »
Spot Weather Impact Warning (WX03)
,
Maintenance and Construction »
Work Zone Management (MC06)
,
Traffic Management »
Traffic Incident Management System (TM08)
,
Vehicle Safety »
Reduced Speed Zone Warning / Lane Closure (VS09)