Eagle Pass Regional ITS Architecture (Final)

Service Package Descriptions

The following table lists each Service Package and provides more information about the Service Package.

Service Package Service Package Description
AD1 - ITS Data Mart This service package provides a focused archive that houses data collected and owned by a single agency, district, private sector provider, research institution, or other organization. This focused archive typically includes data covering a single transportation mode and one jurisdiction that is collected from an operational data store and archived for future use. It provides the basic data quality, data privacy, and meta data management common to all ITS archives and provides general query and report access to archive data users.
AD2 - ITS Data Warehouse This service package includes all the data collection and management capabilities provided by the ITS Data Mart, and adds the functionality and interface definitions that allow collection of data from multiple agencies and data sources spanning across modal and jurisdictional boundaries. It performs the additional transformations and provides the additional meta data management features that are necessary so that all this data can be managed in a single repository with consistent formats. The potential for large volumes of varied data suggests additional on-line analysis and data mining features that are also included in this service package in addition to the basic query and reporting user access features offered by the ITS Data Mart.
APTS01 - Transit Vehicle Tracking This service package monitors current transit vehicle location using an Automated Vehicle Location System. The location data may be used to determine real time schedule adherence and update the transit system’s schedule in real-time. Vehicle position may be determined either by the vehicle (e.g., through GPS) and relayed to the infrastructure or may be determined directly by the communications infrastructure. A two-way wireless communication link with the Transit Management Subsystem is used for relaying vehicle position and control measures. Fixed route transit systems may also employ beacons along the route to enable position determination and facilitate communications with each vehicle at fixed intervals. The Transit Management Subsystem processes this information, updates the transit schedule and makes real-time schedule information available to the Information Service Provider.
APTS02 - Transit Fixed-Route Operations This service package performs automated dispatch and system monitoring for fixed-route and flexible-route transit services. This service performs scheduling activities including the creation of schedules, blocks and runs, as well as operator assignment. This service determines the transit vehicle trip performance against the schedule using AVL data and provides information displays at the Transit Management Subsystem. Static and real time transit data is exchanged with Information Service Providers where it is integrated with that from other transportation modes (e.g. rail, ferry, air) to provide the public with integrated and personalized dynamic schedules.
APTS03 - Demand Response Transit Operations This service package performs automated dispatch and system monitoring for demand responsive transit services. This service performs scheduling activities as well as operator assignment. In addition, this service package performs similar functions to support dynamic features of flexible-route transit services. This package monitors the current status of the transit fleet and supports allocation of these fleet resources to service incoming requests for transit service while also considering traffic conditions. The Transit Management Subsystem provides the necessary data processing and information display to assist the transit operator in making optimal use of the transit fleet. This service includes the capability for a traveler request for personalized transit services to be made through the Information Service Provider (ISP) Subsystem. The ISP may either be operated by a transit management center or be independently owned and operated by a separate service provider. In the first scenario, the traveler makes a direct request to a specific paratransit service. In the second scenario, a third party service provider determines that the paratransit service is a viable means of satisfying a traveler request and makes a reservation for the traveler.
APTS04 - Transit Fare Collection Management This service package manages transit fare collection on-board transit vehicles and at transit stops using electronic means. It allows transit users to use a traveler card or other electronic payment device. Readers located either in the infrastructure or on-board the transit vehicles enable electronic fare payment. Data is processed, stored, and displayed on the transit vehicle and communicated as needed to the Transit Management Subsystem. Two other service packages, ATMS10: Electronic Toll Collection and ATMS16: Parking Facility Management, also provide electronic payment services. These three service packages in combination provide an integrated electronic payment system for transportation services.
APTS05 - Transit Security This service package provides for the physical security of transit passengers and transit vehicle operators. On-board equipment is deployed to perform surveillance and sensor monitoring in order to warn of potentially hazardous situations. The surveillance equipment includes video (e.g., CCTV cameras), audio systems and/or event recorder systems. The sensor equipment includes threat sensors (e.g., chemical agent, toxic industrial chemical, biological, explosives, and radiological sensors) and object detection sensors (e.g., metal detectors). Transit user or transit vehicle operator activated alarms are provided on-board. Public areas (e.g., transit stops, park and ride lots, stations) are also monitored with similar surveillance and sensor equipment and provided with transit user activated alarms. In addition this service package provides surveillance and sensor monitoring of non-public areas of transit facilities (e.g., transit yards) and transit infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, and transit railways or bus rapid transit (BRT) guideways. The surveillance equipment includes video and/or audio systems. The sensor equipment includes threat sensors and object detection sensors as described above as well as, intrusion or motion detection sensors and infrastructure integrity monitoring (e.g., rail track continuity checking or bridge structural integrity monitoring). The surveillance and sensor information is transmitted to the Emergency Management Subsystem, as are transit user activated alarms in public secure areas. On-board alarms, activated by transit users or transit vehicle operators are transmitted to both the Emergency Management Subsystem and the Transit Management Subsystem, indicating two possible approaches to implementing this service package. In addition the service package supports remote transit vehicle disabling by the Transit Management Subsystem and transit vehicle operator authentication.
APTS06 - Transit Fleet Management This service package supports automatic transit maintenance scheduling and monitoring. On-board condition sensors monitor system status and transmit critical status information to the Transit Management Subsystem. Hardware and software in the Transit Management Subsystem processes this data and schedules preventative and corrective maintenance. The service package also supports the day to day management of the transit fleet inventory, including the assignment of specific transit vehicles to blocks.
APTS07 - Multi-modal Coordination This service package establishes two way communications between multiple transit and traffic agencies to improve service coordination. Multimodal coordination between transit agencies can increase traveler convenience at transit transfer points and clusters (a collection of stops, stations, or terminals where transfers can be made conveniently) and also improve operating efficiency. Transit transfer information is shared between Multimodal Transportation Service Providers and Transit Agencies.
APTS08 - Transit Traveler Information This service package provides transit users at transit stops and on-board transit vehicles with ready access to transit information. The information services include transit stop annunciation, imminent arrival signs, and real-time transit schedule displays that are of general interest to transit users. Systems that provide custom transit trip itineraries and other tailored transit information services are also represented by this service package.
ATIS01 - Broadcast Traveler Information This service package collects traffic conditions, advisories, general public transportation, toll and parking information, incident information, roadway maintenance and construction information, air quality and weather information, and broadcasts the information to travelers using technologies such as FM subcarrier, satellite radio, cellular data broadcasts, and Internet web casts. The information may be provided directly to travelers or provided to merchants and other traveler service providers so that they can better inform their customers of travel conditions. Different from the service package ATMS06 - Traffic Information Dissemination, which provides localized HAR and DMS information capabilities, ATIS01 provides a wide area digital broadcast service. Successful deployment of this service package relies on availability of real-time traveler information from roadway instrumentation, probe vehicles or other sources.
ATIS02 - Interactive Traveler Information This service package provides tailored information in response to a traveler request. Both real-time interactive request/response systems and information systems that "push" a tailored stream of information to the traveler based on a submitted profile are supported. The traveler can obtain current information regarding traffic conditions, roadway maintenance and construction, transit services, ride share/ride match, parking management, detours and pricing information. Although the Internet is the predominate network used for traveler information dissemination, a range of two-way wide-area wireless and fixed-point to fixed-point communications systems may be used to support the required data communications between the traveler and Information Service Provider. A variety of interactive devices may be used by the traveler to access information prior to a trip or en route including phone via a 511-like portal and web pages via kiosk, personal digital assistant, personal computer, and a variety of in-vehicle devices. This service package also allows value-added resellers to collect transportation information that can be aggregated and be available to their personal devices or remote traveler systems to better inform their customers of transportation conditions. Successful deployment of this service package relies on availability of real-time transportation data from roadway instrumentation, transit, probe vehicles or other means. A traveler may also input personal preferences and identification information via a “traveler card” that can convey information to the system about the traveler as well as receive updates from the system so the card can be updated over time.
ATIS05 - ISP Based Trip Planning and Route Guidance This service package offers the user trip planning and en-route guidance services. It generates a trip plan, including a multimodal route and associated service information (e.g., parking information), based on traveler preferences and constraints. Routes may be based on static information or reflect real time network conditions. Unlike ATIS3 and ATIS4, where the user equipment determines the route, the route determination functions are performed in the Information Service Provider Subsystem in this service package. The trip plan may be confirmed by the traveler and advanced payment and reservations for transit and alternate mode (e.g., airline, rail, and ferry) trip segments, and ancillary services (e.g., parking reservations) are accepted and processed. The confirmed trip plan may include specific routing information that can be supplied to the traveler as general directions or as turn-by-turn route guidance depending on the level of user equipment.
ATIS06 - Transportation Operations Data Sharing This service package makes real-time transportation operations data available to transportation system operators. The Information Service Provider collects, processes, and stores current information on traffic and travel conditions and other information about the current state of the transportation network and makes this information available to transportation system operators, facilitating the exchange of qualified, real-time information between agencies. Using the provided information, transportation system operators can manage their individual systems based on an overall view of the regional transportation system. The regional transportation operations data resource represented by the Information Service Provider may be implemented as a web application that provides a web-based access to system operators, an enterprise database that provides a network interface to remote center applications, or any implementation that supports regional sharing of real-time transportation operations data.
ATMS01 - Network Surveillance This service package includes traffic detectors, other surveillance equipment, the supporting field equipment, and fixed-point to fixed-point communications to transmit the collected data back to the Traffic Management Subsystem. The derived data can be used locally such as when traffic detectors are connected directly to a signal control system or remotely (e.g., when a CCTV system sends data back to the Traffic Management Subsystem). The data generated by this service package enables traffic managers to monitor traffic and road conditions, identify and verify incidents, detect faults in indicator operations, and collect census data for traffic strategy development and long range planning. The collected data can also be analyzed and made available to users and the Information Service Provider Subsystem.
ATMS03 - Traffic Signal Control This service package provides the central control and monitoring equipment, communication links, and the signal control equipment that support traffic control at signalized intersections. A range of traffic signal control systems are represented by this service package ranging from fixed-schedule control systems to fully traffic responsive systems that dynamically adjust control plans and strategies based on current traffic conditions and priority requests. This service package is generally an intra-jurisdictional package. Systems that achieve coordination across jurisdictions by using a common time base or other strategies that do not require real time coordination would also be represented by this package. Coordination of traffic signal systems using real-time communications is covered in the ATMS07-Regional Traffic Management service package. This service package is consistent with typical traffic signal control systems.
ATMS06 - Traffic Information Dissemination This service package provides driver information using roadway equipment such as dynamic message signs or highway advisory radio. A wide range of information can be disseminated including traffic and road conditions, closure and detour information, travel restrictions, incident information, and emergency alerts and driver advisories. This package provides information to drivers at specific equipped locations on the road network. Careful placement of the roadway equipment provides the information at points in the network where the drivers have recourse and can tailor their routes to account for the new information. This package also covers the equipment and interfaces that provide traffic information from a traffic management center to the media (for instance via a direct tie-in between a traffic management center and radio or television station computer systems), Transit Management, Emergency Management, and Information Service Providers. A link to the Maintenance and Construction Management subsystem allows real time information on road/bridge closures and restrictions due to maintenance and construction activities to be disseminated. The sharing of transportation operations data described in this service package also supports other services like ATMS09- Traffic Decision Support and Demand Management.
ATMS07 - Regional Traffic Management This service package provides for the sharing of traffic information and control among traffic management centers to support regional traffic management strategies. Regional traffic management strategies that are supported include inter-jurisdictional, real-time coordinated traffic signal control systems and coordination between freeway operations and traffic signal control within a corridor. This service package advances the ATMS03-Traffic Signal Control and ATMS04-Traffic Metering service packages by adding the communications links and integrated control strategies that enable integrated, interjurisdictional traffic management. The nature of optimization and extent of information and control sharing is determined through working arrangements between jurisdictions. This package relies principally on roadside instrumentation supported by the Traffic Signal Control and Traffic Metering service packages and adds hardware, software, and fixed-point to fixed-point communications capabilities to implement traffic management strategies that are coordinated between allied traffic management centers. Several levels of coordination are supported from sharing of information through sharing of control between traffic management centers.
ATMS08 - Traffic Incident Management System This service package manages both unexpected incidents and planned events so that the impact to the transportation network and traveler safety is minimized. The service package includes incident detection capabilities through roadside surveillance devices (e.g. CCTV) and through regional coordination with other traffic management, maintenance and construction management and emergency management centers as well as rail operations and event promoters. Information from these diverse sources is collected and correlated by this service package to detect and verify incidents and implement an appropriate response. This service package supports traffic operations personnel in developing an appropriate response in coordination with emergency management, maintenance and construction management, and other incident response personnel to confirmed incidents. The response may include traffic control strategy modifications or resource coordination between center subsystems. Incident response also includes presentation of information to affected travelers using the Traffic Information Dissemination service package and dissemination of incident information to travelers through the Broadcast Traveler Information or Interactive Traveler Information service packages. The roadside equipment used to detect and verify incidents also allows the operator to monitor incident status as the response unfolds. The coordination with emergency management might be through a CAD system or through other communication with emergency field personnel. The coordination can also extend to tow trucks and other allied response agencies and field service personnel.
ATMS10 - Electronic Toll Collection This service package provides toll operators with the ability to collect tolls electronically and detect and process violations. The fees that are collected may be adjusted to implement demand management strategies. Field-Vehicle Communication between the roadway equipment and the vehicle is required as well as Fixed Point-Fixed Point interfaces between the toll collection equipment and transportation authorities and the financial infrastructure that supports fee collection. Toll violations are identified and electronically posted to vehicle owners. Standards, inter-agency coordination, and financial clearinghouse capabilities enable regional, and ultimately national interoperability for these services. Two other service packages, APTS04: Transit Fare Collection Management and ATMS16: Parking Facility Management also provide electronic payment services. These three service packages in combination provide an integrated electronic payment system for transportation services. The vehicle equipment and roadside readers that these systems utilize can also be used to collect road use statistics for highway authorities. This data can be collected as a natural by-product of the toll collection process or collected by separate readers that are dedicated to probe data collection.
ATMS13 - Standard Railroad Grade Crossing This service package manages highway traffic at highway-rail intersections (HRIs) where operational requirements do not dictate more advanced features (e.g., where rail operational speeds are less than 80 miles per hour). Both passive (e.g., the crossbuck sign) and active warning systems (e.g., flashing lights and gates) are supported. (Note that passive systems exercise only the single interface between the roadway subsystem and the driver in the architecture definition.) These traditional HRI warning systems may also be augmented with other standard traffic management devices. The warning systems are activated on notification by interfaced wayside equipment of an approaching train. The equipment at the HRI may also be interconnected with adjacent signalized intersections so that local control can be adapted to highway-rail intersection activities. Health monitoring of the HRI equipment and interfaces is performed; detected abnormalities are reported to both highway and railroad officials through wayside interfaces and interfaces to the traffic management subsystem.
ATMS15 - Railroad Operations Coordination This service package provides an additional level of strategic coordination between freight rail operations and traffic management centers. Rail operations provides train schedules, maintenance schedules, and any other forecast events that will result in highway-rail intersection (HRI) closures. This information is used to develop forecast HRI closure times and durations that may be used in advanced traffic control strategies or to enhance the quality of traveler information.
ATMS19 - Speed Warning and Enforcement This service package monitors vehicle speeds and supports warning drivers when their speed is excessive. Also the service includes notifications to an enforcement agency to enforce the speed limit of the roadway. Speed monitoring can be made via spot speed or average speed measurements. Roadside equipment can display the speed of passing vehicles and/or suggest a safe driving speed. Environmental conditions and vehicle characteristics may be monitored and factored into the safe speed advisories that are provided to the motorist. For example, warnings can be generated recognizing the limitations of a given vehicle for the geometry of the roadway such as rollover risk for tall vehicles. This service focuses on monitoring of vehicle speeds and enforcement of the speed limit while the variable speed limits service (covered in ATMS22-Variable Speed Limits service package) focuses on varying the posted speed limits to create more uniform speeds along a roadway, to promote safer driving during adverse conditions (such as fog) and/or to reduce air pollution.
ATMS21 - Roadway Closure Management This service package closes roadways to vehicular traffic when driving conditions are unsafe, maintenance must be performed, and other scenarios where access to the roadway must be prohibited. The service package includes automatic or remotely controlled gates or barriers that control access to roadway segments including ramps and traffic lanes. Remote control systems allow the gates to be controlled from a central location or from a vehicle at the gate/barrier location, improving system efficiency and reducing personnel exposure to unsafe conditions during severe weather and other situations where roads must be closed. Surveillance systems allow operating personnel to visually verify the safe activation of the closure system and driver information systems (e.g., DMS) provide closure information to motorists in the vicinity of the closure. The equipment managed by this service package includes the control and monitoring systems, the field devices (e.g., gates, warning lights, DMS, CCTV cameras) at the closure location(s), and the information systems that notify other systems of a closure. This service package covers general road closure applications; specific closure systems that are used at railroad grade crossings, drawbridges, reversible lanes, etc. are covered by other ATMS service packages.
ATMS24 - Dynamic Roadway Warning This service package includes systems that dynamically warn drivers approaching hazards on a roadway. Such hazards include roadway weather conditions, road surface conditions, traffic conditions including queues, obstacles or animals in the roadway and any other transient event that can be sensed. These dynamic roadway warning systems can alert approaching drivers via warning signs, flashing lights, in-vehicle messages, etc. Such systems can increase the safety of a roadway by reducing the occurrence of incidents. The system can be centrally monitored and controlled by a traffic management center or it can be autonomous. Speed warnings that consider the limitations of a given vehicle for the geometry of the roadway (e.g., rollover risk for tall vehicles) are not included in this service package but are covered by the ATMS19 – Speed Warning and Enforcement service package. Roadway warning systems, especially queue warning systems are an Active Traffic Management (ATM) strategy and are typically used in conjunction with other ATM strategies (such as ATMS22-Variable Speed Limits and ATMS23-Dynamic Lane Management and Shoulder Use).
CVO01 - Carrier Operations and Fleet Management This service package provides the capabilities to manage a fleet of commercial vehicles. The Fleet and Freight Management subsystem provides the route for a commercial vehicle by either utilizing an in-house routing software package or an Information Service Provider. Routes generated by either approach are constrained by hazardous materials and other restrictions (such as height or weight). Any such restricted areas are determined by the Commercial Vehicle Administration. A route would be electronically sent to the Commercial Vehicle with any appropriate dispatch instructions. The location of the Commercial Vehicle can be monitored by the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem and routing changes can be made depending on current road network conditions. Once a route has been assigned, changes must be coordinated between the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem and the Commercial Vehicle. Commercial Vehicle Drivers would be alerted to any changes in route from the planned route and given an opportunity to justify a rerouting. Any unauthorized or unexpected route changes by the Commercial Vehicle will register a route deviation alert with the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem. The Fleet and Freight Management subsystem can also notify local public safety agencies of the route deviation when appropriate (e.g., if there is safety sensitive HAZMAT being carried), by sending an alarm to the Emergency Management subsystem.
CVO02 - Freight Administration This service package tracks the movement of cargo and monitors the cargo condition. Interconnections are provided to intermodal freight shippers and intermodal freight depots for tracking of cargo from source to destination. In addition to the usual cargo monitoring required to insure that cargo gets from origin to destination, the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem monitors shipments to make sure that no tampering or breach of security occurs to the cargo on commercial vehicles. Any such tampering will be reported to the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem. In addition to exceptions (e.g., alerts) that are reported, on-going indications of the state of the various freight equipment are reported to the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem. The commercial vehicle driver is also alerted of any tampering or breach of cargo security. Freight managers may decide to take further action on the alerts and/or provide responses that explain that the alerts are false alarms. If no explanation is received, the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem may notify the Emergency Management subsystem. Commercial vehicle and freight security breaches may also be sent to the Commercial Vehicle Check subsystem.
CVO03 - Electronic Clearance This service package provides for automated clearance at roadside check facilities. The roadside check facility communicates with the Commercial Vehicle Administration subsystem to retrieve infrastructure snapshots of critical carrier, vehicle, and driver data to be used to sort passing vehicles. This allows a good driver/vehicle/carrier to pass roadside facilities at highway speeds using transponders and Field-Vehicle Communications to the roadside. Results of roadside clearance activities will be passed on to the Commercial Vehicle Administration. The roadside check facility may be equipped with Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI), weighing sensors, transponder read/write devices and computer workstations.
CVO05 - International Border Electronic Clearance This service package provides for automated clearance at international border crossings. It augments the Electronic Clearance service package by allowing interface with border administration and border inspection related functions. This service package processes the entry documentation for vehicle, cargo, and driver, checks compliance with import/export and immigration regulations, handles duty fee processing, and reports the results of the crossing event to manage release of commercial vehicle, cargo, and driver across an international border. It interfaces with administrative systems used by customs and border protection, immigration, carriers, and service providers (e.g., brokers) and inspection systems at international border crossings to generate, process, and store entry documentation.
CVO06 - Weigh-In-Motion This service package provides for high speed weigh-in-motion with or without Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) capabilities. This service package provides the roadside equipment that could be used as a stand-alone system or to augment the Electronic Clearance (CVO03) service package.
CVO10 - HAZMAT Management This service package integrates incident management capabilities with commercial vehicle tracking to assure effective treatment of HAZMAT material and incidents. HAZMAT tracking is performed by the Fleet and Freight Management Subsystem. The Emergency Management subsystem is notified by the Commercial Vehicle if an incident occurs and coordinates the response. The response is tailored based on information that is provided as part of the original incident notification or derived from supplemental information provided by the Fleet and Freight Management Subsystem. The latter information can be provided prior to the beginning of the trip or gathered following the incident depending on the selected policy and implementation.
CVO13 - Freight Assignment Tracking This service package provides for the planning and tracking of three aspects of commercial vehicle shipments. For each shipment, the commercial vehicle, the freight equipment, and the commercial vehicle driver are monitored for consistency with the planned assignment. Any unauthorized changes are determined by the Fleet and Freight Management subsystem and then the appropriate people and subsystems are notified. Data collected by the On-board CV and Freight Safety & Security and the On-board Driver Authentication equipment packages used in other service packages are also used to monitor the three aspects of assignment for this service package. In addition to this service package, Fleet and Freight Managers may also monitor routes and itineraries and this capability is included in Fleet Administration.
EM01 - Emergency Call-Taking and Dispatch This service package provides basic public safety call-taking and dispatch services. It includes emergency vehicle equipment, equipment used to receive and route emergency calls, and wireless communications that enable safe and rapid deployment of appropriate resources to an emergency. Coordination between Emergency Management Subsystems supports emergency notification between agencies. Wide area wireless communications between the Emergency Management Subsystem and an Emergency Vehicle supports dispatch and provision of information to responding personnel.
EM02 - Emergency Routing This service package supports automated vehicle location and dynamic routing of emergency vehicles. Traffic information, road conditions, and suggested routing information are provided to enhance emergency vehicle routing. Special priority or other specific emergency traffic control strategies can be coordinated to improve the safety and time-efficiency of responding vehicle travel on the selected route(s). The Emergency Management Subsystem provides the routing for the emergency fleet based on real-time conditions and has the option of requesting a route from the Traffic Management subsystem. The Emergency Vehicle may also be equipped with dedicated short range communications for local signal preemption and the transmission of alerts to surrounding vehicles. The service provides for information exchange between care facilities and both the Emergency Management Subsystem and emergency vehicles.
EM05 - Transportation Infrastructure Protection This service package includes the monitoring of transportation infrastructure (e.g., bridges, tunnels and management centers) for potential threats using sensors and surveillance equipment and barrier and safeguard systems to control access, preclude an incident, and mitigate the impact of an incident if it occurs. Threats can result from acts of nature (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes), terrorist attacks or other incidents causing damage to the infrastructure (e.g., stray barge hitting a bridge support). Infrastructure may be monitored with acoustic, environmental threat (such as nuclear, biological, chemical, and explosives), infrastructure condition and integrity, motion and object sensors and video and audio surveillance equipment. Data from such sensors and surveillance equipment may be processed in the field or sent to a center for processing. The data enables operators at the center to detect and verify threats. When a threat is detected, agencies are notified. Detected threats or advisories received from other agencies result in an increased level of system preparedness. In response to threats, barrier and safeguard systems may be activated by Traffic Management Subsystems to deter an incident, control access to an area or mitigate the impact of an incident. Barrier systems include gates, barriers and other automated and remotely controlled systems that manage entry to transportation infrastructure. Safeguard systems include blast shields, exhaust systems and other automated and remotely controlled systems that mitigate impact of an incident.
EM06 - Wide-Area Alert This service package uses ITS driver and traveler information systems to alert the public in emergency situations such as child abductions, severe weather events, civil emergencies, and other situations that pose a threat to life and property. The alert includes information and instructions for transportation system operators and the traveling public, improving public safety and enlisting the public’s help in some scenarios. The ITS technologies will supplement and support other emergency and homeland security alert systems such as the Emergency Alert System (EAS). When an emergency situation is reported and verified and the terms and conditions for system activation are satisfied, a designated agency broadcasts emergency information to traffic agencies, transit agencies, information service providers, toll operators, and others that operate ITS systems. The ITS systems, in turn, provide the alert information to transportation system operators and the traveling public using ITS technologies such as dynamic message signs, highway advisory radios, in-vehicle displays, transit displays, 511 traveler information systems, and traveler information web sites.
EM07 - Early Warning System This service package monitors and detects potential, looming, and actual disasters including natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, tsunamis, etc.) and technological and man-made disasters (hazardous materials incidents, nuclear power plant accidents, and acts of terrorism including nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons attacks). The service package monitors alerting and advisory systems, ITS sensors and surveillance systems, field reports, and emergency call-taking systems to identify emergencies and notifies all responding agencies of detected emergencies.
EM08 - Disaster Response and Recovery This service package enhances the ability of the surface transportation system to respond to and recover from disasters. It addresses the most severe incidents that require an extraordinary response from outside the local community. All types of disasters are addressed including natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, tsunamis, etc.) and technological and man-made disasters (hazardous materials incidents, nuclear power plant accidents, and national security emergencies such as nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons attacks). The service package supports coordination of emergency response plans, including general plans developed before a disaster as well as specific tactical plans with short time horizon that are developed as part of a disaster response. The service package provides enhanced access to the scene for response personnel and resources, provides better information about the transportation system in the vicinity of the disaster, and maintains situation awareness regarding the disaster itself. In addition, this service package tracks and coordinates the transportation resources - the transportation professionals, equipment, and materials - that constitute a portion of the disaster response. The service package identifies the key points of integration between transportation systems and the public safety, emergency management, public health, and other allied organizations that form the overall disaster response. In this service package, the Emergency Management subsystem represents the federal, regional, state, and local Emergency Operations Centers and the Incident Commands that are established to respond to the disaster. The interface between the Emergency Management Subsystem and the other center subsystems provides situation awareness and resource coordination among transportation and other allied response agencies. In its role, traffic management implements special traffic control strategies and detours and restrictions to effectively manage traffic in and around the disaster. Maintenance and construction provides damage assessment of road network facilities and manages service restoration. Transit management provides a similar assessment of status for transit facilities and modifies transit operations to meet the special demands of the disaster. As immediate public safety concerns are addressed and disaster response transitions into recovery, this service package supports transition back to normal transportation system operation, recovering resources, managing on-going transportation facility repair, supporting data collection and revised plan coordination, and other recovery activities. This service package builds on the basic traffic incident response service that is provided by ATMS08, the Traffic Incident Management service package. This service package addresses the additional complexities and coordination requirements that are associated with the most severe incidents that warrant an extraordinary response from outside the local jurisdictions and require special measures such as the activation of one or more emergency operations centers. Many users of the National ITS Architecture will want to consider both ATMS08 and this service package since every region is concerned with both day-to-day management of traffic-related incidents and occasional management of disasters that require extraordinary response. Disaster Response and Recovery is also supported by EM10, the "Disaster Traveler Information" service package that keeps the public informed during a disaster response. See that service package for more information.
EM09 - Evacuation and Reentry Management This service package supports evacuation of the general public from a disaster area and manages subsequent reentry to the disaster area. The service package addresses evacuations for all types of disasters, including disasters like hurricanes that are anticipated and occur slowly, allowing a well-planned orderly evacuation, as well as disasters like terrorist acts that occur rapidly, without warning, and allow little or no time for preparation or public warning. This service package supports coordination of evacuation plans among the federal, state, and local transportation, emergency, and law enforcement agencies that may be involved in a large-scale evacuation. All affected jurisdictions (e.g., states and counties) at the evacuation origin, evacuation destination, and along the evacuation route are informed of the plan. Information is shared with traffic management agencies to implement special traffic control strategies and to control evacuation traffic, including traffic on local streets and arterials as well as the major evacuation routes. Reversible lanes, shoulder use, closures, special signal control strategies, and other special strategies may be implemented to maximize capacity along the evacuation routes. Transit resources play an important role in an evacuation, removing many people from an evacuated area while making efficient use of limited capacity. Additional shared transit resources may be added and managed in evacuation scenarios. Resource requirements are forecast based on the evacuation plans, and the necessary resources are located, shared between agencies if necessary, and deployed at the right locations at the appropriate times. Evacuations are also supported by EM10, the "Disaster Traveler Information" service package, which keeps the public informed during evacuations. See that service package for more information.
EM10 - Disaster Traveler Information This service package uses ITS to provide disaster-related traveler information to the general public, including evacuation and reentry information and other information concerning the operation of the transportation system during a disaster. This service package collects information from multiple sources including traffic, transit, public safety, emergency management, shelter provider, and travel service provider organizations. The collected information is processed and the public is provided with real-time disaster and evacuation information using ITS traveler information systems. A disaster will stress the surface transportation system since it may damage transportation facilities at the same time that it places unique demands on these facilities to support public evacuation and provide access for emergency responders. Similarly, a disaster may interrupt or degrade the operation of many traveler information systems at the same time that safety-critical information must be provided to the traveling public. This service package keeps the public informed in these scenarios, using all available means to provide information about the disaster area including damage to the transportation system, detours and closures in effect, special traffic restrictions and allowances, special transit schedules, and real-time information on traffic conditions and transit system performance in and around the disaster. This service package also provides emergency information to assist the public with evacuations when necessary. Information on mandatory and voluntary evacuation zones, evacuation times, and instructions are provided. Available evacuation routes and destinations and current and anticipated travel conditions along those routes are provided so evacuees are prepared and know their destination and preferred evacuation route. Information on available transit services and traveler services (shelters, medical services, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) is also provided. In addition to general evacuation information, this service package provides specific evacuation trip planning information that is tailored for the evacuee based on origin, selected destination, and evacuee-specified evacuation requirements and route parameters. This service package augments the ATIS service packages that provide traveler information on a day-to-day basis for the surface transportation system. This service package provides focus on the special requirements for traveler information dissemination in disaster situations.
MC01 - Maintenance and Construction Vehicle and Equipment Tracking This service package will track the location of maintenance and construction vehicles and other equipment to ascertain the progress of their activities. These activities can include ensuring the correct roads are being plowed and work activity is being performed at the correct locations.
MC02 - Maintenance and Construction Vehicle Maintenance This service package performs vehicle maintenance scheduling and manages both routine and corrective maintenance activities on vehicles and other maintenance and construction equipment. It includes on-board sensors capable of automatically performing diagnostics for maintenance and construction vehicles, and the systems that collect this diagnostic information and use it to schedule and manage vehicle maintenance.
MC03 - Road Weather Data Collection This service package collects current road and weather conditions using data collected from environmental sensors deployed on and about the roadway (or guideway in the case of transit related rail systems). In addition to fixed sensor stations at the roadside, sensing of the roadway environment can also occur from sensor systems located on Maintenance and Construction Vehicles. The collected environmental data is used by the Weather Information Processing and Distribution service package to process the information and make decisions on operations. The collected environmental data may be aggregated, combined with data attributes and sent to meteorological systems for data qualification and further data consolidation. The service package may also request and receive qualified data sets from meteorological systems.
MC04 - Weather Information Processing and Distribution This service package processes and distributes the environmental information collected from the Road Weather Data Collection service package. This service package uses the environmental data to detect environmental hazards such as icy road conditions, high winds, dense fog, etc. so system operators and decision support systems can make decision on corrective actions to take. The continuing updates of road condition information and current temperatures can be used by system operators to more effectively deploy road maintenance resources, issue general traveler advisories, issue location specific warnings to drivers using the Traffic Information Dissemination service package, and aid operators in scheduling work activity.
MC07 - Roadway Maintenance and Construction This service package supports numerous services for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and construction on a roadway system or right-of-way. Maintenance services would include landscape maintenance, hazard removal (roadway debris, dead animals), routine maintenance activities (roadway cleaning, grass cutting), and repair and maintenance of both ITS and non-ITS equipment on the roadway (e.g., signs, traffic controllers, traffic detectors, dynamic message signs, traffic signals, CCTV, etc.). Environmental conditions information is also received from various weather sources to aid in scheduling maintenance and construction activities.
MC08 - Work Zone Management This service package manages work zones, controlling traffic in areas of the roadway where maintenance, construction, and utility work activities are underway. Traffic conditions are monitored using CCTV cameras and controlled using dynamic message signs (DMS), Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), gates and barriers. Work zone information is coordinated with other groups (e.g., ISP, traffic management, other maintenance and construction centers). Work zone speeds and delays are provided to the motorist prior to the work zones. This service package provides control of field equipment in all maintenance and construction areas, including fixed, portable, and truck-mounted devices supporting both stationary and mobile work zones.
MC09 - Work Zone Safety Monitoring This service package includes systems that improve work crew safety and reduce collisions between the motoring public and maintenance and construction vehicles. This service package detects vehicle intrusions in work zones and warns crew workers and drivers of imminent encroachment or other potential safety hazards. Crew movements are also monitored so that the crew can be warned of movement beyond the designated safe zone. The service package supports both stationary and mobile work zones. The intrusion detection and alarm systems may be collocated or distributed, allowing systems that detect safety issues far upstream from a work zone (e.g., detection of over dimension vehicles before they enter the work zone).
MC10 - Maintenance and Construction Activity Coordination This service package supports the dissemination of maintenance and construction activity to centers that can utilize it as part of their operations, or to the Information Service Providers who can provide the information to travelers.
MC12 - Infrastructure Monitoring This service package monitors the condition of pavement, bridges, tunnels, associated hardware, and other transportation-related infrastructure (e.g., culverts) using both fixed and vehicle-based infrastructure monitoring sensors. Fixed sensors monitor vibration, stress, temperature, continuity, and other parameters and mobile sensors and data logging devices collect information on current infrastructure condition. This service package also monitors vehicle probes for vertical acceleration data and other probe data that may be used to determine current pavement condition.