Current

State departments of transportation (DOTs) with intelligent transportation systems (ITS) field equipment encounter issues with rodents and other unwanted critters entering cabinets and shelters, accessing fiber and other ITS equipment, and causing damage. It is costly to repair or replace ITS assets when damage occurs. Damage can also create operational disruptions and outages. Further, agencies need to consider whether to repair damage or take measures to deter rodents and other critters. This project is researching approaches for mitigating damage to ITS assets from rodents and other unwanted critters. The project will complete an online search and a State DOT survey to investigate various mitigation strategies to document effectiveness, cost of the strategy versus cost to repair damage, and ability to access ITS assets after the strategy is installed or deployed. The project will also gather agency construction drawings and specifications for effective strategies.

State departments of transportation (DOTs) have various models for how information technology (IT) supports intelligent transportation systems (ITS) activities and assets such as dynamic message signs, traffic cameras, advanced traffic management systems and software, traffic signals and ITS field equipment, and data communications to field devices. IT support models can include statewide IT support, embedded IT staff in ITS groups, IT liaisons to ITS, or other approaches. Emerging transportation technologies (e.g., connected vehicle infrastructure, detection/alert systems) and elevated cybersecurity risks are impacting IT support of ITS, possibly calling for additional coordination and procedures. As state DOTs adapt to this changing environment, they can benefit from learning about other agencies’ IT support models and practices. 

The ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Study is conducting this research to document how ITS groups are supported by IT in their member agencies and to gather practices and relevant documentation. This project aims to facilitate collaboration between IT and ITS groups. The project will conduct interviews with IT staff from each ENTERPRISE member agency to document practices, lessons learned, and related documentation. The research will also review selected publications featuring State DOT practices for IT support of ITS programs.