Strategy #34
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Identify and apply ITS technology for improving and assisting traffic management functions (e.g., traffic congestion management, incident response and roadway system management).
Background
It is important to manage the highway system to maximize the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and to respond to incidents expeditiously. To assist responsible agencies in managing the highway system, the use of various ITS technology is imperative. Law enforcement has a role in transportation management to include being involved in the design, development and operation of these technologies.
Actions
- Develop, operate, or participate in Traffic or Transportation Management Centers (TMCs). Traffic Management Centers are used to monitor, regulate, and respond to traffic-related operations and incidents. Additionally, they provide an inter-modal and integrated transportation system management capability.
- Install and integrate transportation operation systems technology with TMCs to all law enforcement agencies. This technology could include traffic loop detectors, closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs), ramp meters, highway advisory radios, adverse weather detection equipment, and so forth.
- Install and/or convert call boxes into “smart” call boxes. This technology integrates loop detectors, adverse weather detection equipment, CCTVs, and other equipment into the “smart” call box and then interfaces the system with the
TMC.
- Use technology to detect adverse weather (e.g., fog, smoke, wind, snow, rain) and roadway conditions (e.g., icy, wet) and electronically inform vehicle operators via changeable message signs, highway advisory radios, and so forth, of the adverse conditions and/or any additional advisory information (e.g., slow down, prepare to stop).
• Provide and promote public access to transportation management information.
Benefits
- Improved highway safety and mobility.
- Increased emergency detection and response time.
- Improved air quality.
- Improved identification of needed emergency response equipment and material.
- Extends the transportation system management capability of the TMC
Other Considerations
- Cost of the technology
- Increased skills, expertise and training for personnel to support and operate.
- Accuracy and reliability of technology.
- Potential increase in support staff requirements, which may cause a reduction in existing personnel levels.
- Inter-connectivity with other systems and privacy issues of shared systems.
- Level of involvement depends on size of agency