Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) are widely relied on for agency operations and need to be accurate and reliable to the end of their lifecycle given maintenance and funding limitations. ENTERPRISE members are interested in understanding how RWIS solutions (specifically to support ITS and operations) available from different vendors differ in terms of accuracy, reliability, and costs. This effort seeks to understand the accuracy, reliability, and cost tradeoffs of deployed RWIS solutions by documenting available RWIS solutions, reviewing available documentation of RWIS asset management, and surveying state DOT practitioners, with an emphasis on RWIS supporting ITS solutions.
Completed
Truck Parking Detection Technologies
More demand for truck parking than available capacity is a challenge facing state transportation agencies. When this occurs, trucks may choose to park on roadway shoulders. Many states have deployed systems to automatically monitor/detect truck parking availability and communicate this information to truckers as they are approaching truck parking facilities. This is typically accomplished through in/out systems that monitor/detect vehicles as they enter and leave truck parking lots or by space-by-space systems that monitor/detect individual truck parking spaces. ENTERPRISE members have had some experience with truck parking detection and expressed interest in better understanding these technologies, components, and dissemination mechanisms. Other key interests were innovative truck parking detection concepts and methods, safety concerns and roadway maintenance issues with trucks parking illegally or on the shoulders at rest areas, maintenance efforts for truck parking detection systems, and other industries that utilize vehicle detection technology. Documenting examples of these truck parking interests was accomplished through outreach with ENTERPRISE member states and a literature review.
Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
A number of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) products and approaches have used “machine learning” for decades. Building on this foundation, recent artificial intelligence (AI) products and increased availability of AI have increased use cases for AI in transportation.
This project was conducted to introduce ENTERPRISE members to AI and facilitate understanding about how AI is being (and may be) applied to transportation, as well as the potential uses, benefits, and challenges of AI. Specifically, this project:
- Documents example use cases of AI in transportation operations.
- Provides a definition and high-level context of AI compared to other solutions;
- Documents and synthesizes available national materials;
- Summarizes state-level AI policies to document themes and additional considerations;
- Identifies considerations for transportation agency practitioners interested in using AI in operations; and
- Documents example use cases of AI in transportation operations.
Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing ITS Countermeasures
A significant increase in traffic-related pedestrian fatalities has occurred in the United States since 2010. Of particular concern are uncontrolled pedestrian crossings at mid-blocks and other uncontrolled approaches, as the majority of pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations. The objective of this research was to review existing guidance for selecting intelligent transportation system (ITS) countermeasures at uncontrolled pedestrian crossings and uncontrolled approaches, and to identify associate gaps and needs. The project completed a review of existing guidance for selecting ITS pedestrian safety treatments, conducted an interactive meeting with state department of transportation (DOT) traffic safety professionals, and identified potential gaps and needs. The guidance reviewed commonly includes ITS treatments such as blinker signs, flashing beacons, rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), and pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs). However, the interactive meeting with state DOT traffic safety professionals revealed limited deployment of ITS pedestrian treatments, inconsistency in application of these ITS treatments, and hesitancy with the use of some ITS technologies because drivers and pedestrians may not be familiar with these treatments. Overall, there appears to be a lack of on-road ITS pedestrian treatments for uncontrolled approaches. There may be an opportunity to further develop infrastructure-based pedestrian detection approaches such as cameras, radar, and LiDAR, especially at locations with known safety issues.
ITS Simple Innovations
Transportation agencies develop and use simple innovations for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies and processes. This may include repurposing a device or component, identifying a new use or implementing a streamlined process. Transportation agencies can benefit from learning about other agencies’ simple innovations, so they may consider implementing similar approaches. ITS simple innovations were gathered for ENTERPRISE members through a literature search as well as outreach with practitioners through meetings, conferences, and webinars. The intent was to provide members with a searchable and sortable table listing the simple solutions that the user could then easily link to additional information if desired by providing the source. The innovations focus mostly on efforts from 2019 – 2024. CLICK HERE (link to innovations page table) to learn about all the ITS innovations gathered for this project. If you have any additional innovations to add, please contact Sinclair Stolle at Sinclair.Stolle@iowadot.us.
Administration of Communications
State departments of transportation (DOTs) have various models for deploying and administering communications infrastructure to support intelligent transportation systems (ITS) networks and other operations functions — some utilizing public-private partnerships, leasing, asset sharing, resource trading, or other approaches. This ENTERPRISE project documented state DOT models for administration of communications and gathered examples of efficiencies that state DOTs are achieving due to these models and practices. The state DOTs interviewed for this research noted efficiencies and cost savings with the use of resource trades (with other public agencies and private sector broadband providers), leasing fiber, asset sharing, and leveraging federal broadband grant funding to expand communications for ITS networks.