Applying a Regional ITS Architecture to Support Planning for Operations: A Primer

Contact Information: Operations Feedback at OperationsFeedback@dot.gov.

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Transit Administration
Research and Innovative Technology Administration

FHWA-HOP-12-001

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Table of Contents

[ Technical Report Documentation Page ]

[ Acknowledgements ]

[ Submittal Letter ]

[ Acronyms ]

Executive Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 The Motivation
1.2. How to Use This Primer

Chapter 2: Planning for Operations and Architecture – A Quick Tutorial

2.1. Operations and ITS – A Unified View
2.2. What is Planning for Operations?
2.3. What is a Regional ITS Architecture?
2.4. Making the Connections

Chapter 3: Opportunities for Architecture Use

3.1. Establishing Collaboration and Coordination
3.2. Developing Goals, Operations Objectives, and Performance Measures
3.3. Determining Operations Needs
3.4. Identifying, Evaluating, and Selecting M&O Strategies
3.5. Defining Programs and Projects
3.6. Selecting and Prioritizing Projects
3.7. Implementation and System Operations
3.8. Monitoring and Evaluation

Chapter 4: Creating a Planning-Supportive Architecture

4.1. Making the Architecture Connections to Planning Explicit
4.2. Keeping it Planner-Friendly
4.3. Adding the Planning Context – ITS/Operations Plans
4.4. Scheduling Updates to Optimize Use

Chapter 5: Your Action Plan for More Productive Architecture Use

5.1. Establish Support
5.2. Self-Assessment
5.3. Take Action

Appendix A: Turbo Architecture

Appendix B: Regulatory Requirements

1.1 Management & Operations and Architecture in the Planning Process
2.1 Transportation Systems Management and Operations
3.1 Congestion Management Process
4.1 ITS Architecture and Standards

List of Figures

Figure 1: Regional ITS Architecture Use in Planning for Operations.
Figure 2: A regional ITS architecture helps move regions from piecemeal improvements to integrated transportation solutions.
Figure 3: This Primer is Intended to Bring Together Two Audiences.
Figure 4: ITS Technology Supports Operations.
Figure 5: An Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach to Planning for Operations.
Figure 6: A High-Level ITS Architecture.
Figure 7: Example of Interfaces between Elements.
Figure 8: Illustration of a Service Package.
Figure 9: Illustration of Project Sequencing.
Figure 10: Regional ITS Architecture Development Process.
Figure 11: Diagram Depicting Scenario A: Regional ITS Architecture Updated Prior to the Metropolitan/Statewide Transportation Plan Update.
Figure 12: Hypothetical Example of Where the Regional ITS Architecture Assists Planning in Specific Operations Areas.
Figure 13: Diagram Depicting Scenario B: Regional ITS Architecture Updated After the Metropolitan/Statewide Transportation Plan Update.
Figure 14: Diagram Depicting Scenario C: Regional ITS Architecture Updated at the Same Time as the Metropolitan/Statewide Transportation Plan Update.
Figure 15: Minnesota Statewide Transportation Plan to Architecture Mapping.
Figure 16: Diagram Illustrating the Potential Data Sources Available to the Northwest Arkansas MPO.
Figure 17: Identifying and Filling the Gaps in the Phoenix Metropolitan Center to Center CCTV Network.
Figure 18: San Diego Intermodal Transportation Management System High-Level Architecture.
Figure 19: Using Service Package Customization to Define Projects in the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional ITS Architecture.
Figure 20: Excerpt from Project Proposal Template in the 2009 Virginia DOT's Northern Virginia Operations Planning Guide: Leveraging ITS Architecture and Systems Engineering.
Figure 21: The Systems Engineering "V" Model.
Figure 22: Using the Regional ITS Architecture to Support Project Development.
Figure 23: Key Connections in the Context of the Planning and Architecture Processes.
Figure 24: Connecting Objectives and Strategies with Needs and Services.
Figure 25: Connecting the STIP/TIP Projects with the Architecture.
Figure 26: MRCOG Regional ITS Infrastructure Geodatabase.
Figure 27: An ITS/Operations Plan Can Connect the Regional ITS Architecture with the Region's Transportation Plan and Program.
Figure 28: Adding Planning Context with an ITS/Operations Plan.
Figure 29: MDOT/SEMCOG ITS Deployment Plan - Livingston County Proposed ITS Deployments.
Figure 30: VDOT ITS Decision Support Tool - Cost and Beneft Data.
Figure 31: Connecting an RCTO, a Plan, and an Architecture.
Figure 32: Architecture Updates to Support Planning.
Figure 33: Excerpt from AMPA Regional ITS Architecture Addendum.
Figure 34: Three Leverage Points for Capability Improvement.
Figure 35: Architecture Use for Planning Capability Levels.
Figure 36: Turbo Architecture Uses the National ITS Architecture
Figure 37: Turbo Architecture Tabbed Interface – The Planning Tab.
Figure 38: Turbo Architecture Provides Many Output Options.
Figure 39: A Closer Look at the Right Side of the Planning Tab

List of Tables

Table 1: Hypothetical Example Showing Linkage Between Operations Objective and Strategies from Choices 2035 Champaign Urbana Urbanized Area Transportation Study Long Range Transportation Plan to Potential Regional ITS Architecture Service Packages.
Table 2: Memphis Regional ITS Architecture Projects Related to Incident Management.
Table 3: Planning to Architecture Connections.
Table 4: Techniques for Making the Architecture Planner-Friendly.
Table 5: Architecture and Transportation Plan Update Scheduling Options.
Table 6: Self-Assessment for Use of Regional ITS Architecture in Planning for Operations.