Knowledge Resources

When considering the use of camera phones in managing incidents, be aware of the challenges associated with technology interoperability among agencies and first responder priorities.
Washington, D.C., metro area's experience with using camera phones

Make aggressive use of marketing to increase call volume and improve cost efficiency of 511 services deployment.
Experience from nine 511 system deployments.

Assess what users want when developing a traffic information Web site.
The experience of several of the nation’s top traffic and transit information Web site developers.

Identify a single agency to be responsible for maintenance of an emergency vehicle preemption system.
The experience of multiple agencies with emergency vehicle preemption systems.

Conduct rigorous testing prior to deployment of an emergency preemption system to avoid potential problems and negative system impacts.
The experience of multiple agencies with emergency vehicle preemption systems.

Make traveler information systems at tourist attractions more useful by targeting tourists in marketing and promotion efforts and orienting user interfaces to tourists.
Experience nationwide with traveler information systems in tourism areas

Implement standardized procedures for sharing, accessing and storing transportation data across the enterprise.
Five transit systems' experiences with geographic data systems technology investment.

Balance project goals against the constraints and capabilities of project partners.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Foster efficiency and joint commitment by promoting an open and cooperative relationship among all parties involved in the project.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Anticipate last minute technical glitches when integrating computer aided dispatch (CAD) and transportation management center (TMC) systems and plan accordingly from the start of the project.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Anticipate the need for additional training during the initial post-deployment period to help ensure that system operators are familiar with all new features and procedures.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Develop early deployment and rapid prototyping strategies to improve the project development process.
Virginia DOT’s experience integrating data from public works and public safety agencies.

Find innovative funding resources to help finance management and operations (M&O) strategies and ITS.
The experience of several agencies with innovative funding.

Use recommended practices to provide accurate travel time messages to the public using Dynamic Message Signs (DMS).
Experiences and guidance from the use of DMSs in metropolitan areas.

Follow a rigorous financial approach for estimating the true costs & savings from outsourcing highway maintenance services.
Experiences from Massachusetts, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and British Columbia in outsourcing highway maintenance services.

Identify innovative solutions for deploying Information Stations that report real-time data for weather and traffic monitoring in the event of a hurricane.
Experience from nine transportation management projects on hurricane evacuation preparedness.

Perform before-research to determine what customers want from 511 services and continue to evaluate the system after implementation.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Make sure 511 Systems are customer and market driven to help ensure they are utilized by travelers.
A national experience with the development and deployment of 511 Systems.

Implement infrastructure-based collision avoidance technology to mitigate risks at crash prone intersections.
A research project based on literature reviews and working with Virginia, California, and Minnesota.

Design the system to withstand the demands of the physical environment in which it will be deployed.
Virginia's experience implementing a pilot automatic vehicle location (AVL) system in an urban winter maintenance operations setting.

Design and tailor system technology to deliver information of useful quality and quantity, that the user can reasonably absorb.
Virginia's experience implementing a pilot automatic vehicle location (AVL) system in an urban winter maintenance operations setting

Plan for ongoing logistical support, including the designation of a project champion.
Virginia's experience implementing a pilot automatic vehicle location (AVL) system in an urban winter maintenance operations setting.

Consider seven key planning requirements of an effective ITS Program.
Experience from a case study of the Virginia Department of Transportation's I-81 ITS Program.

Clearly define the organizational structure and establish an ITS Program Coordinator to insure an effective ITS Program.
Experience from a case study of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s I-81 ITS Program.

Provide a single message to the public to assure consistency and to correct inaccurate crisis information.
Transportation agencies share their experiences in coordinating with the media during and after a catastrophic event – in this case, September 11, 2001, in the National Capital Region.

Plan for system redundancies to ensure appropriate incident response activities and continuity of operations during emergency situations.
The National Capital Region's experiences in emergency response after September 11, 2001.

When deploying ITS for transit service, perform a technology assessment during the planning phase, gather technology operator input, and designate a project manager with adequate decision-making authority.
Experience deploying ITS for transit service in a suburban area

Be aware that ITS deployment contracting is complex and may be subject to changes in technologies and market forces.
Virginia DOT's experience with delays in contracting for the Hampton Roads Advanced Traveler Information System deployment

Consider the risk that draft ITS standards will not remain stable through further development when deciding whether to use them in an ITS deployment.
Hampton Roads, Virginia's experience with immature data-exchange standards for its Advanced Traveler Information System

Use ITS Standards to achieve interchangeability and interoperability for Dynamic Message Signs.
Experience of nine agencies using Dynamic Message Signs built to NTCIP specifications.

Ensure that qualified staff with expertise in telecommunications is involved, as planning for and designing a telecommunications network is complicated.
Experiences from the Departments of Transportation (DOTS) of multiple states in selecting telecommunications options.

Consider procurement and contracting issues for leased versus owned ITS telecommunications systems.
Experiences from the Departments of Transportation (DOTS) of multiple states in selecting telecommunications options.

Consider the implications of choosing a Competetive Access Provider (CAP) for telecommunications services.
Experiences from the Departments of Transportation (DOTS) of multiple states in selecting telecommunications options.

Utilize well-equipped safety service patrols to assist highway motorists after vehicle malfunctions or crashes, and to coordinate a safe and efficient response.
Testimonials of the benefits of safety service patrols from staff of several state DOTs, travelers, and others.

Develop procurement procedures for public-private partnership projects that address partnership issues.
A Virginia Department of Transportation experience in procuring ITS through a public-private partnership.