7. Applications of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Technologies
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are defined by ITS America (2005) as a broad range of wired and wireless communications-based information, control and electronics technologies. When integrated into the transportation system infrastructure, and in vehicles themselves, these technologies help monitor and manage traffic flow, reduce congestion, provide alternate routes to travelers, enhance productivity, and save lives, time and money.
ITS technologies such as computerized dispatching, routing and vehicle location improve the internal efficiency of transportation services and the reliability of these services. Others, such as Web-based real-time information on vehicle location and schedules can help users efficiently learn about the availability of needed public transit services. Many ITS technologies are in use throughout the United States. The following discussion highlights existing ITS technologies used in North Dakota along with recommended improvements to the current system based on ITS deployments in other states.
7.1 Existing ITS in North Dakota
Weather plays a major role in influencing the ITS technologies deployed in North Dakota. Examples of these technologies include road weather information systems (RWIS), dynamic message signs (DMS), a traveler information Web page and automated bridge anti-icing systems. School bus routing software is being used by larger North Dakota school districts and smartcard fare boxes have been deployed by public transit agencies.
The past couple of years have seen increased focus on urban transportation issues with continuing growth in the state's urban centers. Applications targeting urban travelers include video technologies for traffic signal operations, dedicated Web pages and highway advisory radio for construction projects and video surveillance available for viewing on the Web for area drivers. Many of these technologies have been deployed in a fragmented manner. As needs arose, field devices were installed. Only one or two applications can be considered a true system, where a system is defined as an integrated set of technologies, functions, etc. (Smadi and Miner, 2004). Existing ITS technologies specific to personal mobility needs in North Dakota are highlighted in the following discussion.
7.2 Smartcard Fare Boxes
A smartcard is a plastic credit-card-sized card containing a small chip that includes a microprocessor and memory. Gold contacts allow other devices to communicate with it. A smartcard can contain more data than a magnetic strip and can be programmed to reveal only relevant information. With respect to transit, for example, it will be able to store ride and rider information. When a smartcard is purchased, the number of rides is programmed into the card along with rider demographic information. Rides are then subtracted from the card every time it is used. Encryption techniques secure the data and the processor allows it to be programmed for different applications. Fixed-route transit systems in Fargo and Bismarck use smartcard fare boxes (Figure 7.1).
7.3 Dynamic Message Signs
Dynamic message signs (DMS) can be deployed using various technologies and are capable of displaying a limited number of messages or a fully customized message using various fonts and colors. The NDDOT owns approximately 15 portable DMS throughout the state (Figure 7.1). They are used for construction and maintenance purposes during the summer months and for winter storm warnings and road closures during the winter months. DMS locations during the winter season were identified through coordination with the NDDOT districts to provide the most practical information to drivers about road closures. Concrete pads were constructed outside road shoulders to provide appropriate surfaces for the signs during winter months (Smadi and Miner, 2004).
7.4 Traveler Kiosks
NDDOT has contracted with a private company to install traveler service kiosks at high volume rest areas in North Dakota. The kiosks are computer terminals that provide a variety of information and allowing users to view road and weather conditions on the NDDOT webpage. There are 13 kiosks across the state. Figure 7.1 shows the locations of information kiosks, fixed-route transit systems using smartcard fare boxes, and dynamic message signs in North Dakota.
7.5 NDinfo.org
An ITS technology that was introduced to the public in November of 2004 is NDinfo.org. NDinfo.org is designed to be North Dakota's information hub linking people to services, organizations and events in their community. This comprehensive system provides a one-stop Internet shop for all information on public transportation systems and service providers in the state. The system is able to plan an entire trip itinerary with transfer locations, fares, schedules, walking directions and maps based on trip origin and destination for most users. The system is also able to provide information on the connections between fixed-route transit systems and shuttle or intercity services.
Users who are unfamiliar with service providers in their destination community can click on the desired location on a map and get a list of service providers complete with their contact and service information. The system is available to a variety of customers, ranging from transit riders within the state to dispatch centers and social service agencies. In addition, visitors from outside the state can plan trips within North Dakota coordinating services provided by airports, train and bus stations. The long-term goal of the system is to allow users to reserve trips on-line and provide them with the option to pay for the trip with a smartcard accepted by transit systems in North Dakota.
7.6 Travel Management Technologies
Travel management technologies such as the video surveillance installations at the I-29/I-94 interchange in Fargo were among the first in North Dakota. This system used wireless communication to transmit a video feed to the NDDOT Fargo District located just over one mile north of the location. Snapshots from the four cameras were available on a Web page developed specifically for providing traveler information during the I-29 reconstruction project in Fargo, which started in 2000. The NDDOT's main road and weather information Web page was also linked to the cameras. The surveillance system was replaced in 2003 with four machine vision (video) detectors and one surveillance camera. The upgrade was designed to allow the NDDOT to collect traffic data (traffic volume, occupancy, and speed on a lane-by-lane basis) using the video detectors while preserving the surveillance function (Smadi and Miner, 2004).
7.7 Traffic Signal Coordination
Traffic signal coordination is another ITS technology used in North Dakota. The NDDOT owns and operates traffic signals on state highways in the smaller urban areas and on the interstate system, mainly for management of ramp operations. The NDDOT is working with Fargo to develop coordinated traffic signal corridor plans that will improve traffic operations. Most of the signals operate on preprogrammed coordination plans according to the time of day. Communications to the controllers consist of either a phone drop or fiber connection to NDDOT's District office, allowing timing to be changed from either the district office or the central office in Bismarck (Smadi and Miner, 2004).
7.8 511 Traveler Information
The 511 traveler information system is available throughout North Dakota. "511" is a nationally designated number for traveler information on road and traffic conditions. North Dakota's 511 system grew from the state's previous #SAFE system which provided information to travelers via cellular phones (Smadi and Miner, 2004). The new 511 system became operational in February 2003 and covers the entire state with route-specific weather/road information.
7.9 Web Pages
The NDDOT has a Web page to provide travelers with road information. Over the years both the design of the Web page and the information available have been greatly improved. The web page is now a direct link from the NDDOT homepage and more options are available for users retrieving relevant information. A color-coded state map is the main source of information; it illustrates road and driving conditions statewide. Driving conditions range from good (no restrictions) to road closed because of poor weather conditions due to snow, ice, floods, etc.
7.10 Miscellaneous ITS Technologies
Other ITS technologies deployed in North Dakota include highway advisory radio (HAR), traffic data collection, public transit AVL, and a bridge anti-icing system. HAR is a low power AM frequency radio transmitter strategically located to provide information to motorists. HAR messages provide more information than what is displayed on a DMS, and the station can be heard within a couple miles of the transmitter. Signs are placed along roadways to inform drivers of the station's radio frequency. More than 50 automated traffic recorders are in use throughout the state as well. Because of the advanced age of the current recorders and their increased maintenance requirements, the state has been exploring new technologies to support traffic data collection (Smadi and Miner, 2004).
Fargo Metro Area Transit (MAT) has global positioning system (GPS) equipment on its fixed-route vehicles. This equipment allow for the monitoring of busy stops and bus locations at any given time. Fargo MAT will be installing automatic vehicle location (AVL) equipment on its paratransit vehicles in the near future. This will enable them to locate their buses at any time and monitor speed along with other characteristics. Finally, one bridge in North Dakota currently uses an anti-icing system. This system will be explained in further detail in the following section.
7.11 Improving North Dakota ITS
The following discussion highlights ITS technologies that have been developed in states throughout the United States and may be applicable in North Dakota. Implementations range in cost and scope, but provide useful insight for future ITS deployments in North Dakota.
The Vermont ITS strategic plan (University of Vermont, 2002) included a transit tracking technology package. This market package provides for an automated vehicle location (AVL) system to track transit vehicles' real time schedule adherence and updates the transit system's schedule in real-time. Vehicle position may be determined either by the vehicle (e.g., through GPS) and relayed to the system office or may be determined directly with communication devices. These devices include a two-way wireless communication link with the system office to relay vehicle position and control measures. Better tracking of buses within a transit system allows route planners and management to increase the efficiency of their operation.
Vermont's ITS plan also developed a package for demand-response transit operations. This package performs automatic driver assignment and monitoring as well as vehicle routing and scheduling for demand-response transit vehicles. It uses the AVL database to monitor current status of the transit fleet and supports allocation of these fleet resources to serve incoming requests from riders while also considering traffic conditions (University of Vermont, 2002). Tracking demand-response vehicles in North Dakota with similar technology would allow systems in North Dakota to better allocate their limited resources. Similar technologies have been deployed in many states.
The South Dakota rural ITS deployment study conducted by Castle Rock Consultants (2001) developed a project for rural addressing using geographic information systems (GIS). The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) already collected much of the data for rural addressing, but the data had not been implemented within a GIS framework. Geocoding addresses into a GIS program provides a statewide database of information that can be used by various state and local agencies to improve personal mobility throughout the state. This $100,000 project contracted for database development of counties within South Dakota. A similar technique could be used in North Dakota.
Castle Rock Consultants (2001) also recommended that South Dakota facilitate communications and information sharing among member agencies. Shared information would support coordination transportation management and traveler information on a regional and corridor-wide basis. The I-95 corridor along the east coast was presented as an example of such an effort. NDinfo.org serves a similar purpose in North Dakota, but many transit agencies are without computer access due to limited funding and thus, cannot use NDinfo.org to better coordination services. Providing transit agencies with computers to access the Internet, which is currently being done by the NDDOT, will go a long way to improving this effort.
South Dakota's ITS deployment plan discussed another interesting application in recommending an automatic anti-icing system as a future ITS project. It would use a spray system that is automatically activated by a computerized control system in anticipation of frosty or icy road conditions. The automatic anti-icing system will detect or predict ice formation and treat the roadway before it becomes hazardous to drivers.
One North Dakota bridge already uses this technology and more are in the planning phase. The system consists of embedded pavement sensors, a processor to determine when conditions require anti-icing, and spray nozzles for the anti-icing agent. The estimated equipment costs for bridges spanning 500 feet or less with four traffic lanes or less would cost approximately $19,300. This system includes piping, chemical tank, sensors, and 10 spray nozzles that will provide coverage to the driving lanes,. This system requires the use of clear chemical agents such as magnesium chloride (Castle Rock Consultants, 2001).
7.12 Summary
Numerous ITS technologies have been developed throughout the United States to improve personal mobility. Implementing ITS technologies almost always improves the efficiency of a transportation system. However, the cost effectiveness of such technologies is a subject for further discussion. A cost/benefit analysis should always be evaluated before considering the implementation of an advanced technology.
For example, a transit agency with five or six vehicles providing fewer than 25,000 rides per year has little need for an AVL system to track its buses. The cost of the AVL system alone would occupy a very large percentage of the agency's annual budget. Other smaller scale ITS technologies involving computer scheduling and dispatching may aid the system and prove more feasibly in a cost/benefit analysis. A Web-based system that improves the coordination of transit providers throughout the state (NDinfo.org) is a good first step. Further action should consider expanding the current system to allow for more customization on the part of transportation providers.