Transportation agencies continue to deploy and operate emerging technologies and ITS assets in both urban and rural areas. These assets serve key roles in operations of the transportation system. Maintaining the ability of these ITS assets to continue to be of value in the future is referred to as “future proofing the asset.” The focus of this project is on researching best practices and overall approaches towards future proofing ITS assets. As part of this research, five categories of threats have been identified that present possible risks to the future of ITS assets, including: natural, functional performance, financial, policy/regulatory, and security threats. The research has identified multiple approaches for mitigating the future proofing risks to ITS assets and these will be synthesized into a report and model process for agencies to consider. Finally, this project will narrow the focus to communications and detection, and work with member agencies target the research to these specific topics.
2021
Patented and Proprietary Products Waiver Impact on ITS Procurements
This research is exploring the impacts of FHWA Final Rule Construction and Maintenance-Promoting Innovation in Use of Patented and Proprietary Products, in which the requirements in 23 CFR 635.411(a)-(e) were rescinded to encourage innovation in the development of highway transportation technology and methods. State DOTs will no longer be required to provide certifications, make public interest findings (PIFs), or develop research or experimental work plans to use patented or proprietary products in Federal-aid projects. This project will investigate how this waiver is being implemented in practice, through outreach to FHWA and State DOT procurement staff.
Traffic Operations Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many state department of transportation (DOT) employees with jobs that could be done remotely were ordered to work from home. This occurred very quickly and DOTs had to make a variety of adjustments, such as decentralizing work activities, transitioning information technology support actions to accommodate the new work environments, and, in some states, relocating transportation operations center staff members to their homes. The purpose of this research was to document and share ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Study members’ initial operational responses to COVID-19 – gathered through phone interviews and a virtual peer exchange – for application to future events or as part of daily operations during the pandemic. It is important to note that the information gathered for this project focuses on ENTERPRISE member agencies’ experiences at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 through April 2021. At the time of this publication, ENTERPRISE members continue to plan and adjust to the prolonged pandemic.
Understanding Infrastructure Operations Impacts Based on AV Demos
This ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Study project will capture insights from agencies that have conducted automated vehicle (AV) shuttle demonstrations and identify likely impacts of AVs on infrastructure operations. Specifically, this effort focuses on low-speed AV shuttles with the intent to understand whether infrastructure changes and the roles of agency and private-sector stakeholders are representative of needs and roles in future, long-term AV deployments. Information will be collected through a literature review and interviews with 12 deploying agencies in the United States and Canada. Identified impacts to agency infrastructure and staff vary greatly depending on the use case and AV shuttle provider. The types of infrastructure changes for AV shuttle deployments include pavement markings, signage, roadside units, traffic signal timing adjustments, charging stations, secured parking areas, and vegetation management, as well as modifications to construction schedules. The nature of these impacts will be considered, as well as the reasons these impacts may be greater for some agencies than others.