California Department of Transportation
Caltrans Transportation Planning Planning Offices Office of Policy Analysis and Research Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Technology Applications

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Technology Applications

What is ITS?

Intelligent Transportation Systems are electronics, communications, and information technology (IT) processes and devices, applied to transportation operations, which result in improved transportation efficiency and safety.

These advanced technology systems provide information necessary to increase the safety and effectiveness of the entire surface transportation system, for both travelers and transportation system operators. ITS also focuses on adding value to the existing infrastructure (highways, streets, bridges, trains, vehicles.) ITS projects are not unitary solutions, but complement other transportation strategies.

ITS Quick Links

 

Planning for ITS

Overall structure for ITS is provided in the Federal Program for ITS, which stresses the importance of planning for intelligent transportation systems and projects within the context of more comprehensive planning within regions. The ITS planning process is similar, but in some cases supplemental, to planning for transportation infrastructure and operations improvements.

FHWA guidance outlines the requirements for implementing ITS strategies. There is a strong metropolitan bias to the federal approach, but “Rural ITS” is also represented as a special set of stakeholder conditions.

Regional planning for ITS is actually where significant activity and resources reside. The federal Rule for ITS specifically focuses on monitoring and administrative responsibilities at this level.

Caltrans responsibilities with regard to ITS mirror the USDOT umbrella approach but are uniquely crafted to the state’s needs. The global responsibilities for Caltrans Division of Transportation Planning are:

  • Maintain California Statewide ITS Architecture and System Plan
  • Mainstream ITS concepts, including architectures, into transportation planning and project development
  • Facilitate and monitor inclusion of Systems Engineering Assessment in the Department’s business processes
  • Administer the ITS and systems engineering training and professional capacity building program

ITS Benefit and Costs Assessments

Benefits and-costs assessments need to be considered at an early stage in system or project planning, to justify the deployment of technologies. ITS applications include advanced traffic signals, roadway and weather monitoring, bus and maintenance vehicle location systems, roadside information signs and automated vehicle control systems.

(California benefits data only) (California costs data only)

The federal ITS website also has collected information on “ITS in California”.

The report “ITS Benefits, Costs, Deployment and Lessons Learned: 2008 Update” presents information on the performance of deployed ITS, as well as information on the costs, deployment levels and lessons learned regarding ITS deployment and operations. This report discusses 17 different areas of ITS application. Lessons learned during ITS planning implementation and deployment, are highlighted throughout the report and in a chapter following the review of ITS applications.

Program Documents

The Office of Policy Analysis and Research evaluates the impacts of federal and state regulations regarding technology applications for transportation and works to ensure that they are fully considered in state and regional transportation decision making. For more information contact:

  • Bill Tournay at btournay@dot.ca.gov, or 916-653-4680
  • Frank Taylor at ftaylor@dot.ca.gov, or 916-651-6006
  • Kelly Eagan, Interim Office Chief for the Office of Adance System Planning, and can be reached at (916) 651-8199