ATAC Supports North/West Passage ProgramInterstate highways seamlessly link the nation, but there can be some rough transitions at state lines in terms of the technology that helps drivers along the way. ATAC is working to smooth out those transitions as part of the North/West Passage coalition. The goal is to unify Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) components along I-90 and I-94 nationwide. Currently, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin have been actively participating in the pooled fund study. ATAC has been a part of the project since March of 2003. "Differences in technology, approaches and politics are primary challenges," says Kate Miner, ATAC associate research fellow. "ATAC is involved to provide a non-partial evaluation of systems and technology," she says. Differences between states include inconsistencies in traveler information relating to traffic management and weather related incidents, communication protocols, and lack of common systems. Coalition partners identified nine projects to study. The projects range from integrating the states' 511 traveler information systems to installing communications technology to control an automatic de-icing system on the Red River Bridge between Moorhead, MN, and Fargo, ND. ATAC is preparing a "lessons learned" document for the coalition. In the document ATAC staff will examine two different ITS systems used in the cooperating states for road condition reporting and identify strengths and weaknesses of each system. Professionals involved with ITS will be able to use the document to guide future ITS use. "The document will allow all states to build on each other's experiences," Miner says. Similarly, ATAC has developed a website for the coalition. Project reports, meeting minutes and other information are posted there. "The website facilitates the sharing of information among members and will allow non-members to follow the coalition's progress," Miner says. The address for the website is www.nwpassage.info. (Opens a new window) Members of the coalition provide funding for the projects and the group hopes to expand beyond the initial three states to provide nationwide unity along I-90 and I-94. "These issues will continue to be important into the future as technology changes and new applications are developed." Miner says. Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and South Dakota have expressed interest in the effort. ATAC Helps Develop Bismarck-Mandan ITS PlanATAC's influence on travelers will be felt into the future in the Bismarck-Mandan area. With sponsorship from the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization, ATAC helped develop an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Plan for the area. The Bismarck-Mandan area, being required to develop a regional ITS Architecture by April of 2005, chose to develop a strategic document to coordinate ITS initiatives which would then support the development of the regional architecture. To guide development of the plan, a stakeholder group was assembled and included staff from city and county traffic engineering, public works, emergency management, city fire departments, law enforcement, areas of special interest, elected officials, private citizens, etc. The members provided input regarding difficulties in the transportation system through group discussion, input forms, email and phone responses. ATAC analyzed the responses received by the group to determine which transportation needs could be resolved through the use of ITS. The targeted needs were matched to specific ITS technologies, locations of deployment were identified, resource requirements for implementation were researched and agency champions for each project were addressed. |
In this issue...
 |
