Transforming Transportation: The Role of Intelligent

Transportation Systems

Matthew J. Schiemer, PEAugust 18, 2011

Why ITS?• To save “lives, time and money” in the transportation

field, we must look beyond the traditional infrastructure construction and maintenance model we’ve followed for 80+ years.

• Focus on the operation of roadways and transit systems.Think about airport operation.

• ITS is one of the most important tools in the operations toolbox.

• ITS involves the application of advanced technologies to transportation.

• Compared with traditional infrastructure, the cost of ITS is low and the B/C ratio is high.

• Remember: the focus should be on Operations.

The Case for Traffic Operations / ITS

Source: USDOT/FHWA

“We Can’t Build Our Way Out of Congestion”

Typical ITS Benefits and B/C Ratios

• Fewer accidents• Fewer secondary

accidents• Decreased accident

severity• Fewer injuries and less

severe injuries• Reduction in fatalities• Less delay and stops• Reduced travel times• Less travel time

variability• Increased traveler

satisfaction

• Travel demand management

• Reduced fuel consumption• Reduced emissions• Increased system capacity• Support economic

development• Lower O&M costs

• Fewer accidents• Less infrastructure

damage• Fewer overweight

vehicles• Reduced transit costs

Typical B/C Ratios of 10:1 to 40:1

ITS Benefits and Costs Resources

• US DOT – ITS Joint Program Office – Knowledge Resources– Benefits, costs, lessons learned, etc.

http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov/its/itsbcllwebpage.nsf/krhomepage

• International Benefits, Evaluation and Costs (IBEC) Working Group – Representatives from 40 countries

http://www.ibec-its.co.uk/

Operations Performance Measures

“You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure”

• We can not expect to meet our goals and successfully manage (operate) the transportation network if we are not measuring performance.

• Well-designed performance measures help us to determine if our actions are helping us meet our goals, achieve expected benefits and to:– Set policy– Allocate resources– Choose between options– Report on results– Reveal problems and areas for improvement

Operations Performance Measures

• Incident Duration– Incident detection time– Incident response time– Incident clearance time– Incident recovery time

• Travel Times and Delay• Travel Time Reliability (Variability)• Toll Plaza Delay• Accident and Fatality Rates (primary and secondary

accidents)

Operations Performance Measures

• Provision of Traveler Information– ITS Field Device Coverage, Availability and Information

Quality– Phone and Web (511) Coverage, Availability and Info

Quality• User Satisfaction (Surveys)

– Traveler Information Quality and Relevance (DMS, HAR, 511)

– Device Type Preference and Usage (DMS –vs- HAR)– Overall Satisfaction with Range of Services (FSP, EZ-Pass,

etc).• ITS System Performance

– Availability (up-time) of ITS Field Devices and Systems– Accuracy of data and properly calibrated devices and

systems– Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time to

Repair

Operations Performance Measures Resources

• US DOT – Office of Operations – Operations Performance Measurement Program– Extensive information and external links

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/perf_measurement/index.htm

• Florida DOT Mobility Performance Measures Programhttp://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/statistics/mobilitymeasures/

• Washington State DOT Accountability and Performance– Gray Notebook

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/accountability/default.htm

Keys to Success of an ITS Project or Program

• Technical• Political• Institutional • Legal• Financial• Public and private

sector solutions/PPP

Contact Information

Matthew J. Schiemer, PEVice President - ITS

Gannett Fleming, Inc.Tel: (512) 833-9377Cell: (512) 417-6257

Email: mschiemer@gfnet.com