Author

Jeffrey Adler

Resources

ITS textbook included with the course

• FHWA-JPO-98-031 Developing Traveler Information Systems Using the National ITS Architecture
• DOT-T-96-03 Review and Assessment of En-Route Transit Information Systems
• FHWA-RD-97-034 Rural Applications of ATIS: User Needs and technology Assessment
• DTFH61 -93-C-00084 Commercial Vehicle Fleet Management and Information Systems
• FHWA-RD-98-057 Human Factors Guidelines for ATIS/CVO

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the uses of ATIS within activity and transportation systems
• Distinguish different technologies used to broadcast information
• Comprehend the link between trip planning and ATIS
• Differentiate between technologies based on the format, content, and broadcast media
• Understand the functional requirements for developing and deploying ATIS

Prerequisites

This module assumes that instruction has been provided on the following subjects in preceding modules:

• ATMIS and (Dynamic) Route Guidance Systems
• Rural ITS
• Transit Management
• Intermodalism

Course Outline

The course outline is as follows:
(numbers in parentheses refer to pages)

1. Introduction 
   
2. Travel Choice and ATIS
   1. Pre-Trip Planning
   2. En-Route Wayfinding 
      
3. ATIS Benefits
   1. ATIS and Benefits to Individual Travelers
   2. ATIS and Benefits to the System 
      
4. Classifying Traveler Information
   1. Type of advice: Normative vs. Prescriptive
   2. The underlying data set used to generate the information 
      
5. Information Technologies
   1. Roadway Based Systems:
      1. VMS (CMS) -- Variable (Changeable) Message Signs:
      2. HAR -- Highway Advisory Radio
      3. Kiosk
      4. Display Monitors or Message Boards
   2. In-Vehicle Based Systems:
      1. AM/FM Radio
      2. Built-in Vehicle (Navigation) Systems
      3. Personal Computers
   3. Personal Based Systems:
      1. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) / PCD (Personal Communication Devices):
      2. Pager
      3. Cellular Telephone
   4. Home or Office Based Systems:
      1. Personal Computers/Internet
      2. Television
      3. Telephone/Fax:
      4. Search Engines
      5. Gateways
      6. Yellow Pages
      7. Traffic Reports
      8. Transit/Rail
      9. Mapping and Highway Route Guidance
      10. Weather Reports
      11. Trip Scheduling - Airline, Hotel, and Rental Car Reservations
   5. ATIS Providers
   6. Planning and Designing of Traveler Information Systems
      1. User Needs
      2. System Development, Operations, and Management
      3. Ergonomics and Human factors issues
      4. ATIS Displays
      5. ATIS Controls
   7. Data Requirements and ATIS
      1. Data Collection
      2. Data Fusion
      3. Data Dissemination
   8. Case Studies
      1. Smart Route Systems - SmarTraveler
      2. Metro Commute Systems - MetroCommute
   9. Special ATIS Applications
      1. "ERTIS" - En-Route Transit Information Systems
   10. Rural ATIS
       1. Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO)
          • Fleet management Technologies
       2. N11 Initiative
   11. Statewide / Regional Traveler Information Systems
       1. Model Deployment Initiative (MDI)
          • Seattle Metropolitan Area - SmarTrek
          • San Antonio Metropolitan Area -- TransGuide
          • Phoenix Metropolitan Area -- AZTech
          • New York City Metropolitan Area -- iTravel
       2. State DOT Operated Systems
          • MnDOT Traffic Management Center
          • CALTRANS (California DOT) 
            
6. For Further Study