Better driving through technology
Local, state, and federal representatives in the Lawrence-Douglas County area are exploring ways to use technology to improve the efficiency and safety of roads, public transit and emergency services. The goal is to develop a long range plan using technology to improve the transportation system. Possible technologies include cameras for monitoring real time traffic conditions or vehicle location systems on transit buses and emergency vehicles so dispatchers know exactly where each vehicle is located. The plan will lay out how all of the agencies and technologies will communicate and work together to improve transportation.
What is Intelligent Transportation Systems?
ITS is the application of technologies and communications to improve roadways and transit systems. ITS includes detection systems and cameras for monitoring traffic conditions on roadways, dynamic message signs to provide real time travel information, and vehicle location systems to track transit and emergency services vehicles.
Benefits for the area
Tremendous investments have been made in the roads and bridges and they have become a vital part of the community. Application of technologies can help solve some of the transportation problems in the area.
Some ways ITS can be applied:
Improved Signal Coordination: Fewer stops at traffic signals mean less fuel used and less time spent waiting by motorists. Improved traffic signal timing can provide more efficient flow of traffic along a roadway.
Traveler Information: Knowing traffic conditions before you leave your house or while in route can help avoid delays and road closures due to accidents, severe weather or construction. Determining real-time road conditions with cameras, vehicle detectors and weather sensors can provide traveler information. Automated transit vehicle location systems can provide dispatchers with bus locations and on-time information. Dynamic message signs, websites, and subscription services all use technology to provide traveler information.
Emergency Services: Public safety dispatchers can see an accident scene and dispatch responders using shared traffic cameras. Emergency vehicles can use real time road conditions to avoid problem spots.
Funding Eligibility: An ITS plan is a good planning tool and a required tool. To remain eligible for federal funding, the US Department of Transportation requires an ITS plan for the area.
ITS Plan Development Process
Local, state, and federal agencies have been working to create an integrated system. Development of the ITS plan for the Lawrence-Douglas County area is using a three step process. The steps include:
Step 1 – Identify Needs and Inventory
Needs drive the ITS plan. The goal is to select technologies that can help address specific needs and problems that are important to the area.
Step 2 – Develop ITS Solutions
There are more than 90 ways technologies can address transportation in an area. Stakeholders review those options and customize for the area. Solutions also designate lead and supporting agencies.
Step 3 – Identify Sequence of ITS Projects to be Implemented in the Area
ITS projects are identified and developed in this step. Projects will be categorized as traffic, transit, or emergency services with a timeframe. The process doesn’t include decisions on project funding.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders invited to participate in developing the ITS plan include local, state, and federal transportation agencies. Stakeholders include:
Local Agencies
Baldwin City
City of Eudora
City of Lawrence
City of Lecompton
Douglas County
State Agencies
Kansas Department of Transportation
Kansas Turnpike Authority
University of Kansas
Federal Agencies
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Transit Administration
ITS Technologies
A few examples of the many technologies that will be considered for implementation in the Lawrence-Douglas County area are shown in the figure below. Key considerations will include the ability of each technology to address transportation needs, reliability of technology, and cost to implement, operate and maintain the technology.
Project Timeline
Project
Deliverables
The process will deliver two reports: the Lawrence-Douglas County ITS Plan and ITS Deployment Plan. An additional value of the development process is the regional coordination occurring between the local, state, and federal agencies working on the plan. Copies of the draft and final reports will be available online at wwwl.lawrenceks.org. A comment section will also be online.
The draft Lawrence-Douglas County ITS Plan will be posted in mid-October and a draft of the ITS Deployment Plan will be posted in late December.
Project Contacts
To learn more about the project please contact the City of Lawrence or the Project Consultant Team:
Chuck Soules, Public Work Director, City of Lawrence
(785) 832-3124
Tom Fowler, Kimley-Horn and Associates (Consultant Team)
(512) 418-4504
thomas.fowler@kimley-horn.com
Lisa Lassman Briscoe, AIA, Patti Banks Associates (Consultant Team)
(816) 756-5690 ext. 3003
lbriscoe@pbassociates.com
Project Website
Information can be found on the project website at: www.lawrenceplanning.org
The Lawrence-Douglas County Regional ITS Architecture is being developed with support from the following agencies:
City of Lawrence
Douglas County
US Department of Transportation
