ITS/CVISN Efforts in the Border Region Border Partnership Working Group January 11, 2006 Al Kosik Traffic Operations Division TxDOT

Presentation Outline Overview of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in TxDOT Overview of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in TxDOT Border Safety Inspection Facilities (BSIF) Border Safety Inspection Facilities (BSIF) Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN)

Intelligent Transportation Systems The application of advanced technologies (computers, communications, electronics) to transportation problems The application of advanced technologies (computers, communications, electronics) to transportation problems Congestion, incidents, safety, weather Congestion, incidents, safety, weather Multiple technologies Multiple technologies Field equipment in harsh environments Field equipment in harsh environments

The Need for ITS Traffic volumes continue to increase Traffic volumes continue to increase New construction is not keeping up New construction is not keeping up Impossible to simply “build our way” out of congestion Impossible to simply “build our way” out of congestion Transportation Management Centers (TMCs) can help ease congestion on the existing highway system Transportation Management Centers (TMCs) can help ease congestion on the existing highway system

Benefits of Effective ITS Reductions in: Reductions in: –Motorist delay and queue length –Direct and indirect economic losses –Air pollution –Incident response times –Secondary collisions A more efficient transportation system A more efficient transportation system

Transportation Management Centers (TMCs) TxDOT has 9 TMCs in operation TxDOT has 9 TMCs in operation Large centers: Houston TranStar, 200 mi. of freeways, multiple agencies, large building, large operations floor Large centers: Houston TranStar, 200 mi. of freeways, multiple agencies, large building, large operations floor Small centers: Wichita Falls, a few cameras and signs, weather data, 2 workstations, part-time operator Small centers: Wichita Falls, a few cameras and signs, weather data, 2 workstations, part-time operator TMCs operating in Laredo and El Paso TMCs operating in Laredo and El Paso

TxDOT’s 9 TMCs Amarillo (PEGASIS) Amarillo (PEGASIS) Austin (CTECC) Austin (CTECC) Dallas (DalTrans) Dallas (DalTrans) El Paso (TransVista) El Paso (TransVista) Fort Worth (TransVISION) Fort Worth (TransVISION) Houston (TranStar) Houston (TranStar) Laredo (STRATIS) Laredo (STRATIS) San Antonio (TransGuide) San Antonio (TransGuide) Wichita Falls Wichita Falls

Houston TranStar

TranStar operation’s floor

Amarillo TMC

Laredo STRATIS

Laredo operations

TMC Applications Incident detection and management Incident detection and management Traveler information Traveler information Monitor system performance Monitor system performance Safety Safety Weather Weather

Hurricane Rita Evacuation

ITS Field Equipment Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) Detection (multiple technologies) Detection (multiple technologies) Lane Control Signals Lane Control Signals Environmental Sensors Environmental Sensors Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) Fiber backbone in urban areas; large communications systems Fiber backbone in urban areas; large communications systems Leased wireline (ISDN, T1); Wireless Leased wireline (ISDN, T1); Wireless

TxDOT ITS Program $40M to $50M ITS projects let per year $40M to $50M ITS projects let per year $10M to $15M per year on maintenance, upgrades, and rehabilitation $10M to $15M per year on maintenance, upgrades, and rehabilitation 700 miles of highways with freeway systems 700 miles of highways with freeway systems 395 DMS 395 DMS Over 800 closed circuit ITS cameras Over 800 closed circuit ITS cameras 100 miles of HOV lane systems 100 miles of HOV lane systems Over 700 miles of fiber optic cable backbone Over 700 miles of fiber optic cable backbone

Traffic Websites Allow motorists to get information from their computer Allow motorists to get information from their computer Websites can provide: Websites can provide: –Interactive maps of current conditions –Camera snapshots –Incident locations –DMS display information –Travel times –Text messages

Rural ITS Flood warning Flood warning Ice, winter weather Ice, winter weather Fog Fog Traveler, tourist information Traveler, tourist information Alternate routes Alternate routes Remote CCTV at strategic locations Remote CCTV at strategic locations Future: corridor information (I35, I40, I10) Future: corridor information (I35, I40, I10)

Need for Rural ITS Why? 80 % of Nations roads are in rural & small urban areas (under 50,000 population) Rural roads 60% traffic fatalities Work zone fatalities on non-Interstate roads 3 times higher Average twice as long for crash notification and victim transfer

Statewide Development and Integration (SDI) Program Standard statewide software modules (TMC) Standard statewide software modules (TMC) - realistically 80% - realistically 80% Write once, use many times Write once, use many times Reduce lifetime maintenance costs Reduce lifetime maintenance costs Well documented, defined interfaces Well documented, defined interfaces System Engineering process System Engineering process National standards National standards Software modules are in operation Software modules are in operation BSIF software developed by SDI contractor BSIF software developed by SDI contractor Southwest Research Institute (contractor) Southwest Research Institute (contractor)

Signal for complex intersection

Border Safety Inspection Facilities (BSIF) 8 locations planned at border crossings 8 locations planned at border crossings Standard design Standard design 2 in El Paso under construction 2 in El Paso under construction Operated by DPS Operated by DPS Very automated process (eventually) Very automated process (eventually) Standard software modules; write once, use many times Standard software modules; write once, use many times

BSIF Equipment DMS DMS Detection Detection Transponder readers Transponder readers Cameras (surveillance and snapshot) Cameras (surveillance and snapshot) Oversize detection Oversize detection Weigh-in-Motion Weigh-in-Motion Static scales Static scales

Facility Layout

WIM

Visual Inspection

Current development activities Development underway for BOTA (El Paso) Development underway for BOTA (El Paso) –Flow management, DMS, CCTV, RFID tags, presence detection, weigh-in-motion, scales, dimensional checks –Interface with DPS safety information Reuse of software Reuse of software –Existing statewide ITS subsystems –BSIF modules to be developed and shared Subsequent deployments under review: Subsequent deployments under review: –Zaragoza (El Paso) –Eagle Pass (Laredo)

Border Wildlife

Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) Multiple agencies sharing data Multiple agencies sharing data TxDOT, DPS, Comptroller TxDOT, DPS, Comptroller Common CVISN data base Common CVISN data base Single point of contact, electronic Single point of contact, electronic Completed top level design and business plan Completed top level design and business plan Working group and steering committee established Working group and steering committee established

CVISN… The collection of information systems and communications networks that support CVO. The collection of information systems and communications networks that support CVO. Includes information systems owned and operated by governments, motor carriers, and other stakeholders. Includes information systems owned and operated by governments, motor carriers, and other stakeholders. Provides a framework for parties engaged in CVO safety assurance and regulation to exchange information and conduct business transactions electronically. Provides a framework for parties engaged in CVO safety assurance and regulation to exchange information and conduct business transactions electronically. The goal is to improve the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicle operations. The goal is to improve the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicle operations. Core Compliance includes: Safety Information Exchange, E-Credentialing, E-Screening. Core Compliance includes: Safety Information Exchange, E-Credentialing, E-Screening.

CVISN – Planned TX Architecture

CVISN Status Summary Summary –Participants (DPS, CPA, and TxDOT) will share safety and credentialing data via TexVIEW –Motor carriers will be able to apply for and renew credentials online –Working group meeting of participants to determine status is being planned. –TexVIEW and One-Stop need to be developed. –Once developed, existing systems will be modified to tie into these new systems –BSIF will utilize CVISN data for safety inspections

Questions or Comments? Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment