Volpe Center: Volpe Center Highlights

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Volpe Center Highlights - November/December 2003

Mobility

Determining Delays that Affect ITS Projects

Since its inception more than a decade ago, the DOT's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program has supported the integration of advanced technologies that improve the safety and efficiency of the nation's transportation system. However, the implementation of ITS products and services continues to be affected by scheduling problems.

To address this issue, the ITS Joint Program Office and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Operations asked the Volpe Center to identify major causes of project delay.

The Volpe study noted several positive approaches that state DOTs use to address the challenges associated with deploying ITS projects.

The Volpe Center recently conducted ten site visits and a case study to investigate the causes of delay in four phases of ITS projects: conception and planning, requirements analysis and design, construction and installation, and testing. The team first conducted a pilot review, in which team members tested their interview protocol. Then at each study site, team members interviewed staff from the FHWA and state department of transportation (DOT). The Volpe team examined projects developed through the transportation planning process and projects earmarked by Congress. The review included non-ITS projects to identify any meaningful differences and similarities in managing ITS projects versus non-ITS projects. The final report, "Delays Affecting ITS Projects -- Summary of Findings," was submitted on October 30, 2003. The Volpe team includes Mr. Allan DeBlasio, Mr. David Jackson, and Ms. Dana Larkin of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division; Ms. Margaret Zirker of Cambridge Systematics (an on-site Volpe contractor); and Mr. Terrance Regan of Planners Collaborative (an on-site Volpe contractor).

The study findings revealed that ITS projects that involve software development, systems integration, or both accounted for a high percentage of the delays. Lack of experience by state DOT staff, consultants, contractors, and vendors also contribute to delays. The Volpe Center team noted, however, that state DOT staff members have learned to better foresee the challenges associated with ITS projects, have more knowledge as to how to overcome them, and have developed several positive approaches to address these issues. Now in some instances, the potential for delay is recognized early and projects are scheduled appropriately. The most significant of the positive approaches include devoting more resources to the development of system requirements, pre-qualifying contractors and vendors, having the systems integrator available during the design phase, and using innovative procurement methods.

Photo of ConnDOT large-scale freeway management system.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation developed an innovative procurement process for the implementation of a large-scale freeway management system that will enable the sharing of video and traffic data among traffic operations centers.

For example, as part of a recent procurement process, the Connecticut DOT (ConnDOT) required bidders to submit designs and equipment specifications as well as references with their proposals. A ConnDOT procurement team reviewed the designs and specifications and requested clarifications and corrections to ensure that both met system requirements. As part of their implementation process, ConnDOT staff required the selected contractor to develop a prototype early in the project and to demonstrate the system by assembling at the contractor's location all of the equipment that would be installed in the field. Both the prototype testing and system demonstration identified several problems that were corrected before the equipment was installed along the highways.

Deploying 511: the National Travel Information Phone Number

Travel information phone numbers provide real-time traffic and transit information so users can plan trips based on weather, construction, schedule, or traffic conditions. In July 2000, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 511 as the nationwide, three-digit telephone number for traveler information, an estimated 300 or more regional numbers were in existence. The FCC ruling provided the opportunity to consolidate the various travel information services into a nationwide service, but left the details of implementation up to states, localities, and private telecommunications providers. Given the absence of centralized control, a national coordinating body was formed. Supported by the U.S. DOT, the 511 Deployment Coalition includes the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Public Transportation Association, and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. Its stated goal is to ensure "timely establishment of a national 511 traveler information service available to a majority of Americans by 2005 that is sustainable and provides value to users." The Volpe Center is actively involved with the Coalition and other 511 initiatives that are working through a complex set of technical and public communication issues to help ensure that 511 services meet customers' needs.

Accurate traffic information can help travelers plan their trips to avoid congested areas. The Volpe Center supports several initiatives to provide a nationwide phone number for traveler information: 511.

To accelerate the development of useful 511 service, FHWA awarded a Model Deployment Initiative to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for enhancements to its 511 service. As National Evaluation Program Manager for the 511 Model Deployment Initiative, Ms. Jane Lappin of Volpe's Economic and Industry Analysis Division directs the evaluation of this and other ITS evaluation projects on behalf of the ITS Joint Program Office. The national evaluation of ADOT's 511 service is assessing impacts, determining benefits, and defining issues that will provide insight to other 511 deployers and to policy makers. Because customer acceptance and satisfaction are critical to the success of any 511 service, deployers need a high-quality monitoring and evaluation process. One product of the Arizona model will be a standard survey with which to measure customer satisfaction. Ms. Lappin is leading a task force of Coalition members that is guiding the development of this important survey, which other regional services will be able to customize to suit their needs. Mr. Sean Peirce and Ms. Margaret Petrella, also of the Economic and Industry Analysis Division, support Ms. Lappin in this activity.

The Volpe Center also supports other 511 initiatives. For example, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has expressed interest in increasing its support of transit agencies deploying 511, and has asked Volpe to provide background information to the FTA Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation. In October, Mr. Peirce submitted a report, "Transit Agency Deployment of 511: Assessment of Current Issues," which examines the institutional and technical issues that transit agencies around the country face in providing information to their regional or statewide 511 system. It also summarizes the views of transit-authority members of the 511 Deployment Coalition, the coordinating body for 511, and presents recommendations to FTA regarding outreach activities.

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