(UPDATE) June 2013

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 the foundation for the new MAG ITS Strategic Plan, recently completed in 2012.

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 2012 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;
• 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; and
• Complies with Rule 23 CFR 511 by including existing and planned systems and interfaces that monitor travel and traffic conditions and providing that information to travelers and users of traveler information.

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 review and discussions about updating the RIA elements and interfaces. The MAG ITS Architecture was updated in 2013 to reflect enhancements of the region’s systems that changed the functionality for some agencies. The most notable changes are in updated METRO Light Rail and Valley Metro functionality, the addition of ITS services in some cities that were previously planned, and added future functionality with Integrated Corridor Management strategies and additions to the website based on newly defined 2015-2017 TIP projects. Updated Project Documents to reflect these changes as well as updated service packages are provided on this website. This update also reflects the latest version 7.0.5.2 of Turbo Architecture and the National ITS Architecture Version 7.0.

About this Web Site

How to Use the MAG RIA and Website– For Agency Project Development

This link is a summary of how agencies can use the MAG ITS Architecture to support their project identification, development and deployment.

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 to better understand the use of the RIA for ITS 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 were transferred to the project webpage at the MAG website:

http://www.azmag.gov/Projects/Project.asp?CMSID=1050&CMSID2=1063

Communication Methods in RIA:

The most recent Version 7.0 of the National ITS Architecture has provided a link to understand, in more detail, the various types of communications that can be associated with supporting ITS services (direct, non-direct, or internet-based). Although the Communications Layer information in the National ITS Architecture does not have a direct impact on how interfaces/elements are defined in the MAG RIA, there is an important opportunity to use the Communications Layer information to help define how agencies are communicating to their ITS systems/devices and partner agencies, and to help agencies that are looking to expand their communications methods with strategies that other agencies have successfully used.

The Communications Layer Matrix link below indicates whether an agency has an active Traffic Management Center (TMC) and direct, non- direct, or internet based communication for ITS devices or systems. This matrix can be used to support agencies that are interested in the various methods of communicating with their infrastructure/systems to see how others are utilizing communications in their jurisdiction. The MAG RIA does not prescribe specific types of technologies or methods of communication to ITS program elements – but this matrix provides agencies with additional guidance on the methods typically used in the Region to connect to ITS program elements.

Communications Layer Matrix

Project Contacts: