The first comprehensive ITS Strategic Plan for the Phoenix metropolitan region was first developed by MAG in 2001. This Plan also included the very first definition of the Regional ITS Architecture (RIA) for the region. Since ITS is closely linked to system management and operations, as a natural next step, MAG developed the Regional Concept of Transportation Operations (RCTO) in 2003, which is a high level transportation operations plan for the region. These important planning developments have resulted in significant new additions and improvements to the region’s ITS infrastructure and transportation operations. These and other regional transportation developments such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and the expansion of Bus Rapid Transit routes, have resulted in the need for updating the RIA.

MAG led the development of the RIA update to account for the growth in systems throughout the region, and to ensure consistency and conformance with the programs, standards, and guidelines provided through the FHWA Rule 940 and FTA Policy on Architecture Conformity and Standards, as well as through the National ITS Architecture. The updated RIA also provides a foundation for a new MAG ITS Strategic Plan, planned to be developed in 2009.

This updated RIA:

• Reflects all existing ITS-related infrastructure in the MAG Region as well infrastructure and connectivity that are programmed and planned for future projects;
• Accurately reflects any changes and modifications that have been made to the National ITS Architecture since the 2001 MAG ITS Strategic Plan;
• Serves as the key reference for any ITS infrastructure development in the MAG region by MAG member agencies, and provides detailed information on how an ITS project can be broken into smaller functional pieces. A very important goal for MAG with this RIA is to provide its members with a tool for project development and integration; and
• Includes a plan and process for maintaining and updating the RIA on a regular basis, so that it will remain current and valid and serve as a valuable tool to support ongoing project development and implementation by MAG member agencies.

The MAG ITS Committee provided oversight, review and guidance to the RIA development process. In addition to direct communications and periodic updates at monthly meetings, the Committee participated in an Architecture Review Workshop in November 2008 to review and discuss the RIA elements and interfaces.

About this Web Site

The purpose of this web site is to provide all RIA stakeholders with convenient access to information on the RIA project, including technical memoranda, list of stakeholders and inventory information. Information posted will guide stakeholder agencies better understand the use of the RIA for transportation planning, project development and project implementation. Another key purpose of this web site is to gather stakeholder feedback during the RIA development process. Upon RIA project completion relevant contents posted at this website was transferred to the project webpage at the MAG website:
http://www.mag.maricopa.gov/project.cms?item=9158

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