Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) means electronics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system (FHWA). ITS utilizes advanced applications which aim to provide innovative services relating to different modes of transport and traffic management and enable various users to be better informed and make safer, more coordinated, and ‘smarter’ use of transport networks. CRCOG coordinates with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and adjacent MPOs to conduct ITS planning throughout the region. A few of the key ITS documents are summarized below:
Capitol Region Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Strategic Plan
The ITS Strategic Plan was developed as an update to the 1997 ITS plan. Stakeholders included municipal staff, emergency responders, transit operators, adjacent regional planning organizations and CTDOT highway and transit planning and operations staff. The Plan includes five goals designed to improve the operation of transportation systems through the use of technology, along with objectives and strategies to reach those goals.
Traffic Signals Operation and Maintenance Guidelines Handbook (Draft)
The Traffic Signal Systems handbook was developed in part as a response to the 2012 FHWA Local Agency Traffic Signal Operations and Maintenance Program Review that identified concerns regarding the local agency traffic signal project development and eventual operation and maintenance. The handbook will assist local agencies follow the systems engineering process to develop project proposals and to assure that funded projects will be adequately operated and maintained over the life cycle of the equipment.
Statewide Computerized Traffic Signal Systems Needs Assessment
CTDOT completed a Statewide Computerized Traffic Signal Systems (CTSS) Needs Assessment in November 2015. The report identifies general CTSS needs, as well as specific needs in seven of the state’s nine regions. The report can be accessed in the above by clicking on the title, a PDF of the appendices file can be found here: Appendices
ITS Architecture
The ITS Architecture is a framework for how ITS solutions are interrelated, and how information is exchanged within an area/region. After April 2005, any transportation project with an ITS component is required to conform to the regional ITS Architecture. Area stakeholders including representatives from emergency response agencies, municipal public works department, area transit systems, and others have worked with the Department of Transportation and their consultant to develop an Architecture that accurately reflects the existing and proposed ITS systems in the greater Hartford area.
Please feel free to explore the Hartford Area Regional ITS Architecture by linking to its website. (If you get a pop-up asking for a password, simply close out of the pop-up box by clicking on the x in the upper righthand corner.) If you have specific comments about the architecture, there is a Send Us Your Comments link on the home page of that website.