Author

Robert McQueen
Vice President Division Manager, ITS Services PBS&J
Phone: 407-647-7275 (x 328)
E-mail: bobmcqueen@pbsj.com

Description

This course gives students an in-depth look at the importance of strategic planning and implementation processes in the deployment of ITS. Students will be provided with extensive information regarding the role of ITS, ITS alternatives and options, critical success factors for implementing and deploying ITS services, and much more. Examples of successful ITS implementations are also presented.

Objectives

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

• Express an understanding of the introduction to the planning, implementation and assessment of ITS services.
• Explain how to "mainstream" ITS planning and implementation into established transportation planning, investment and programming procedures.
• Describe the role of ITS as part of a comprehensive transportation system.
• Define the relationship of ITS to both long- and short-range transportation planning and programming.
• Evaluate ITS alternatives and options.
• Select an appropriate "package of ITS options."
• Describe a suggested methodology for ITS strategic planning.
• Define and describe essential success factors for implementing and deploying ITS services.
• Evaluate the success of ITS deployments.
• Describe selected examples of successful ITS planning programs, implementation approaches, and practical assessments.

Audience

Public-sector Transportation Professionals including US DOT engineers, planners, project managers, and field staff, FTA Regional staff, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Specialists, and others as appropriate. Transportation professionals from state, regional, and local agencies would also benefit from participation in the course.

Length

Approximately eight hours.

Prerequisites

Students taking this course should have an awareness and understanding of the scope of ITS and of the technical issues involved in the design and operation of ITS services, coupled with a broad familiarity with established transportation planning processes.

Course Outline

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

1. Introduction (2-3)
   
2. Lesson 1. What Is Strategic Planning for ITS? (5-14)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Implementation
   3. Steps in a Good Plan
      
3. Lesson 2. Why Is Strategic Planning Valuable and Important? (15-21)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Winners Are Planners
   3. The Relative Cost of Ambiguity
   4. FHWA, FTA & Strategic Planning for ITS
   5. FHWA & DOT ITS Architecture and Standards, Section 940.5
      
4. Lesson 3. Issues & Challenges Associated with Strategic Planning (22-39)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Managing the Issues & Challenges
      1. Project Management
      2. Requirements
      3. Technology
      4. Institutional/Organizational
      5. Cost and Funding
   3. Integrating ITS and Conventional Transportation Planning
   4. Transportation Planning Process
      1. TEA-21
   5. Merging ITS Applications with Other Forms of Investment
   6. Capabilities & Constraints of Available ITS Technologies
      
5. Lesson 4. A Strategic Planning Framework (40-71)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Review: Steps in a Good Plan
      1. Take an Inventory
      2. Determine Where You Want To Go
      3. Build a Map for Getting There
      4. Communicate the Plan
      5. Revise the Plan
      6. Develop Strategies
   3. Developing an Integrated ITS Program
   4. ITS Cooperative Development Methodology
      1. High-Level View
      2. Detail-Level View
      3. ITS Needs Model
      4. ITS Solutions Model
      5. ITS Technology Review and Selection
6. Lesson 5. Useful Tools and Resources To Support Strategic Planning for ITS (72-76)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Useful Tools and Resources
      
7. Lesson 6. Ideas in Action (77-97)
   1. a. Objectives and Scope
   2. Case Study #1: Application of ITS to Recreational Travel, Cape Cod
   3. Case Study #2: Communication Alternatives for Scenic Byways
      
8. Course Conclusion (100-101)