Next Generation Traveler Information System: A Five Year Outlook

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

State and local transportation agencies provide traveler information to their communities using increasingly sophisticated traveler information systems. These systems are evolving quickly. The next generation traveler information systems (NGTIS) emerging in the five-year timeframe need to consider an updated variety of data and delivery mechanisms to provide travelers with improved functionality and generate desired transportation outcomes. The role of the public sector systems must also be continuously evaluated in the context of private sector activities in offering traveler information as well.

As in all such situations, resource constraints prevent perfect solutions. Decisions about developing and managing NGTIS must be based on overall goals and operational outcomes. Every state will have its own mix of "best solutions"for providing these systems – there is no single answer.

Graphic of the four main chapters of this report which are Traveler Needs Roadmap (2014-2020), Technology Roadmap (2014-2020), Roles and Models Review, and Operations Review.

Figure 1. Chart. Report Summary (SCG)

This report offers a set of best practices and information that can be used as a guide in making good decisions over time as agencies evolve their traveler information solutions. These best practices are provided in the context of current and projected information about stakeholder needs and overall industry trends, as well as business and operational models.

As described in Figure 1, this report is divided into four main chapters, and concludes with references:

Chapter 2. Traveler Needs Roadmap (2014-2020).
Chapter 3. Technology Roadmap (2014-2020).
Chapter 4. Roles & Models Review.
Chapter 5. Operations Review.
Chapter 6. References.

1.2 NGTIS BACKGROUND

As shown in Figure 2, NGTIS is a subset of both overall Transportation Network Management (TNM), the responsibility of the public agency, and Consumer Big Data, the stream of information arising from the day-to-day activities of the connected consumer. This basic relationship is increasingly important to consider, as overall trends in Big Data impact the expectations of connected consumers, and the travel-related data both provided to and received from those consumers. Instead of being a discrete set of information received from a suite of agency-run sensors, traveler information is growing to include an ever-larger set of data about every aspect of the consumer's journey, captured on everything from Twitter feeds to smartphone apps. At the same time, it is simply part of a growing trend towards constant collection of every possible type of data generated by the consumer, which is driving a whole new set of service providers and interactions. Companies like Google, for example, have built very large businesses by providing services like searching tools, and extracting value from the customer data that is shared as part of that interaction.

Illustration of the Next Generation Traveler Information System as a subset of both the overall Transportation Network Management and Consumer Big Data.

Figure 2. Chart. TNM, Consumer, and NGTIS Relationship View (SCG)

The NGTIS itself can be represented as a standard hardware/software solution stack depicted below in Figure 3, with a variety of functions occurring in succeeding layers, which build up from initial data collection through to final presentation to the user. These functions include contributing public sector capabilities and, in some cases, may also include third-party providers. This framework will provide structure for the rest of the report as we consider the individual components of the NGTIS.

The first layer includes all data collection activities, both insourced and outsourced.
The second and third layers address data aggregation and data analysis, which may also include an outsourced component in some cases.
The fourth layer involves the communication of data over various transmission technologies, such as radio, cellular, etc.
Finally, there is the presentation layer, which encompasses a wide array of hardware and user interface solutions tailored to deliver information to specific audiences such as Emergency Responders, Traffic Management, and the Consumer. This fifth layer also includes all outsourced presentation channels for traveler information, such as TV shows, radio broadcasts, and private sector websites.

Illustration of the Next Generation Traveler Information System as a standard hardware/software solution stack with a variety of functions occurring in succeeding layers which build up from initial data collection through to final presentation to the user.

Figure 3. Chart. NGTIS Overview (SCG)

Today's public sector traveler information systems have evolved from two perspectives: a) as an outgrowth of existing traffic management activities, with traveler information seen as a useful but secondary byproduct of data collected for other uses, and b) as solutions specifically designed to support and improve individual traveler mobility. This difference in focus is important to consider when planning NGTIS evolution, as it drives the basic goals and outcomes expected from the system.

For example, if an NGTIS is designed to focus primarily on network efficiency, it might focus on the needs of freight vehicles to help reduce major blockages from freight incidents; while an NGTIS developed to impact consumer behavior and thus improve the mobility of those travelers might involve a very different suite of data, communications, and presentation solutions. This report provides a framework for considering these and many other strategic questions, for use by state DOTs in addressing their unique local needs.

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