7.9.4 Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
ITS projects must be designed in accordance with the National ITS Architecture. The ITS system aims to solve congestion and safety problems and improve operating efficiency in freight and transit movement.
ITS applications include the following:
- Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor traffic conditions and incidents
- Communication infrastructure;
- Dynamic Message Signs (DMS);
- Integration of traffic control and transportation management systems;
- Lane Control Signals (LCS) to warn the public of lane closures due to incidents or construction;
- Traffic detection devices;
- Traffic maps - congestion, construction, weather;
- Traffic signals which adapt to traffic and change their timing in each cycle; and
- Travel time estimation.
ITS work must be coordinated with the District traffic staff, TRF – Traffic Management Section and the Information Management Division (IMD) to ensure compliance with IT core architecture and other TxDOT requirements.
The department maintains a statewide radio network providing signal and radio technical support and coordinating radio frequency licenses. The Highway Advisory Radio Stations (HARS) are low power AM stations that broadcast highway related information to the traveling public. FCC regulations require that traveler information stations transmit only noncommercial voice information pertaining to traffic and road conditions.
By Executive Order, June 14, 2012, federal-aid highways and ROW can be used to deploy both wired and wireless broadband infrastructure creating funding opportunities for state and local transportation infrastructure to help expand broadband infrastructure. Broadband access also affords public safety agencies better interoperability and effectiveness.
Considerations in the design of ITS include:
- Find out where traffic barrier will be located and try to place hazardous objects behind barriers that are already proposed for other purposes;
- Obtain current information on ITS alternatives, this is a rapidly advancing field;
- Incorporate standard communications equipment when possible;
- Consult with the District traffic staff and TRF – Traffic Management Section;
- When possible, submit plans to TRF for early review;
- Consider future maintenance requirements for the system. Design to minimize maintenance, but also consider how maintenance will be performed safely with minimum impact on traffic;
- Consider placement of DMS in areas where there is not a high probability of a simultaneous workload required for drivers (i.e., high-decision locations, high-speed merging, and weaving);
- Consider ITS regional opportunities and possible connections to manage traffic through long corridors; and
- Utilize existing structures and roadside barriers for ITS, if possible.
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