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Functional Area Descriptions

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This table provides detailed descriptions of each functional area, also known as equipment packages, supported by the National ITS Architecture.

Functional Area Functional Area Description
Barrier System Management This equipment package remotely monitors and controls barrier systems for transportation facilities and infrastructure under control of center personnel. Barrier systems include automatic or remotely controlled gates, barriers and other access control systems. The equipment package also provides an interface to other centers to allow monitoring and control of the barriers from other centers (e.g., public safety or emergency operations centers).
Basic Information Broadcast This equipment package disseminates traveler information including traffic and road conditions, incident information, maintenance and construction information, event information, transit information, parking information, and weather information. The same information is broadcast to all equipped traveler interface systems and vehicles.
Center Secure Area Alarm Support This equipment package receives traveler or transit vehicle operator alarm messages, notifies the system operator, and provides acknowledgement of alarm receipt back to the originator of the alarm. The alarms received can be generated by silent or audible alarm systems and may originate from public areas (e.g. transit stops, park and ride lots, transit stations, rest areas) or transit vehicles. The nature of the emergency may be determined based on the information in the alarm message as well as other inputs.
Center Secure Area Sensor Management This equipment package manages sensors that monitor secure areas in the transportation system, processes the collected data, performs threat analysis in which data is correlated with other sensor, surveillance, and advisory inputs, and then disseminates resultant threat information to emergency personnel and other agencies. In response to identified threats, the operator may request activation of barrier and safeguard systems to preclude an incident, control access during and after an incident or mitigate impact of an incident. The sensors may be in secure areas frequented by travelers (i.e., transit stops, transit stations, rest areas, park and ride lots, modal interchange facilities, on-board a transit vehicle, etc.) or around transportation infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels and transit railways or guideways. The types of sensors include acoustic, threat (e.g. chemical agent, toxic industrial chemical, biological, explosives, and radiological sensors), infrastructure condition and integrity, motion and object sensors.
Center Secure Area Surveillance This equipment package monitors surveillance inputs from secure areas in the transportation system. The surveillance may be of secure areas frequented by travelers (i.e., transit stops, transit stations, rest areas, park and ride lots, modal interchange facilities, on-board a transit vehicle, etc.) or around transportation infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels and transit railways or guideways. It provides both video and audio surveillance information to emergency personnel and automatically alerts emergency personnel of potential incidents.
Collect Traffic Surveillance This equipment package remotely monitors and controls traffic sensors and surveillance (e.g., CCTV) equipment, and collects, processes and stores the collected traffic data. Current traffic information and other real-time transportation information is also collected from other centers. The collected information is provided to traffic operations personnel and made available to other centers.
Emergency Call-Taking This equipment package supports the emergency call-taker, collecting available information about the caller and the reported emergency, and forwarding this information to other equipment packages that formulate and manage the emergency response. This equipment package receives 9-1-1, 7-digit local access, and motorist call-box calls and interfaces to other agencies to assist in the verification and assessment of the emergency and to forward the emergency information to the appropriate response agency.
Emergency Data Collection This equipment package collects and stores emergency information that is collected in the course of operations by the Emergency Management Subsystem. This data can be used directly by operations personnel or it can be made available to other data users and archives in the region.
Emergency Dispatch This equipment package tracks the location and status of emergency vehicles and dispatches these vehicles to incidents. Pertinent incident information is gathered from the public and other public safety agencies (see the Emergency Call-Taking equipment package) and relayed to the responding units. Incident status and the status of the responding units is tracked so that additional units can be dispatched and/or unit status can be returned to available when the incident is cleared and closed.
Emergency Early Warning System This equipment package monitors alerting and advisory systems, information collected by ITS surveillance and sensors, and reports from other agencies and uses this information to identify potential, imminent, or in-progress major incidents or disasters. Notification is provided to other equipment packages that provide the emergency response, including public notification using ITS traveler information systems, where appropriate.
Emergency Environmental Monitoring This equipment package collects current and forecast road conditions and surface weather information from a variety of sources. The collected environmental information is monitored and presented to the operator and used to more effectively manage incidents.
Emergency Evacuation Support This equipment package coordinates evacuation plans among allied agencies and manages evacuation and reentry of a population in the vicinity of a disaster or other emergency that poses a risk to public safety. Where appropriate, the affected population is evacuated in shifts, using more than one evacuation route, and including several evacuation destinations to spread demand and thereby expedite the 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. The public is provided with real-time evacuation guidance including basic information to assist potential evacuees in determining whether evacuation is necessary. 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. The evacuation and reentry status are monitored and used to refine the plan and resource allocations during the evacuation and subsequent reentry. This equipment package communicates with public health systems to develop evacuation plans and recommended strategies for disasters and evacuation scenarios involving biological or other medical hazards.
Emergency Response Management This equipment package provides the strategic emergency response capabilities and broad inter-agency interfaces that are implemented for extraordinary incidents and disasters that require response from outside the local community. It provides the functional capabilities and interfaces commonly associated with Emergency Operations Centers. This equipment package develops and stores emergency response plans and manages overall coordinated response to emergencies. It monitors real-time information on the state of the regional transportation system including current traffic and road conditions, weather conditions, special event and incident information. It tracks the availability of resources and assists in the appropriate allocation of these resources for a particular emergency response. This equipment package provides coordination between multiple allied agencies before and during emergencies to implement emergency response plans and track progress through the incident. It also coordinates with the public through the Emergency Telecommunication Systems (e.g., Reverse 911). This equipment package coordinates with public health systems to provide the most appropriate response for emergencies involving biological or other medical hazards.
Emergency Routing This equipment package supports routing of emergency vehicles and enlists support from the Traffic Management Subsystem to facilitate travel along these routes. Routes may be determined by this equipment package based on real-time traffic information and road conditions or routes may be provided by the Traffic Management Subsystem on request. Vehicles are tracked and routes are based on current vehicle location. This equipment package may coordinate with the Traffic Management Subsystem to provide preemption or otherwise adapt the traffic control strategy along the selected route.
Field Barrier System Control This equipment package includes the field equipment that controls barrier systems used to control access to transportation facilities and infrastructure. Barrier systems include automatic or remotely controlled gates, barriers and other access control systems.
Field Secure Area Sensor Monitoring This equipment package includes sensors that monitor conditions of secure areas including facilities (e.g. transit yards) and transportation infrastructure (e.g. bridges, tunnels, interchanges, and transit railways or guideways). A range of acoustic, environmental threat (e.g. chemical agent, toxic industrial chemical, biological, explosives, and radiological sensors), infrastructure condition and integrity and motion and object sensors are included.
Field Secure Area Surveillance This equipment package includes video and audio surveillance equipment that monitors conditions of secure areas including facilities (e.g. transit yards) and transportation infrastructure (e.g. as bridges, tunnels, interchanges, and transit railways or guideways). It provides the surveillance information to the Emergency Management Subsystem for possible threat detection. The equipment package also provides local processing of the video or audio information, providing processed or analyzed results to the Emergency Management Subsystem. This equipment package provides the same functions as the Traveler Secure Area Surveillance equipment package.
Government Reporting Systems Support This equipment package selects and formats data residing in an ITS archive to facilitate local, state, and federal government data reporting requirements.
HRI Traffic Management This equipment package monitors and controls highway-rail intersection (HRI) equipment. Various levels of roadside equipment may be interfaced to this equipment package including standard speed active warning systems and high speed systems which provide additional information on approaching trains and detect and report obstructions in the HRI. This equipment package remotely monitors and reports the status of the HRI equipment and sends control plan updates to the HRI equipment.
Incident Command The equipment package provides tactical decision support, resource coordination, and communications integration for Incident Commands that are established by first responders at or near the incident scene to support local management of an incident. The equipment package supports communications with public safety, emergency management, transportation, and other allied response agency centers, tracks and maintains resource information, action plans, and the incident command organization itself. Information is shared with agency centers including resource deployment status, hazardous material information, traffic, road, and weather conditions, evacuation advice, and other information that enables emergency or maintenance personnel in the field to implement an effective, safe incident response. This equipment package supports the functions and interfaces commonly supported by a mobile command center.
Infrastructure Provided Dynamic Ridesharing This equipment package provides dynamic rideshare matches for eligible travelers, connecting riders and drivers for specific trips based on preferences. This ridesharing/ride matching capability also arranges connections to transit or other multimodal services for portions of a multi-segment trip that includes ridesharing. Reservations and advanced payment are also supported so that each segment of the trip may be confirmed.
Infrastructure Provided Trip Planning This equipment package provides pre-trip and en-route trip planning services for travelers. It receives origin, destination, constraints, and preferences and returns trip plan(s) that meet the supplied criteria. Trip plans may be based on current traffic and road conditions, transit schedule information, and other real-time traveler information. Candidate trip plans are multimodal and may include vehicle, transit, and alternate mode segments (e.g., rail, ferry, bicycle routes, and walkways) based on traveler preferences. This equipment package also confirms the trip plan for the traveler and supports reservations and advanced payment for portions of the trip. The trip plan includes specific routing information and instructions for each segment of the trip and may also include information and reservations for additional services (e.g., parking) along the route.
Interactive Infrastructure Information This equipment package disseminates personalized traveler information including traffic and road conditions, transit information, maintenance and construction information, multimodal information, event information, and weather information. Tailored information is provided based on the traveler's request in this interactive equipment package. The interactive service offered by this equipment package is available to the Vehicle, Remote Traveler Support, and Personal Information Access subsystems.
Interactive Vehicle Reception This equipment package provides drivers with personalized traveler information including traffic and road conditions, transit information, maintenance and construction information, multimodal information, event information, and weather information. The provided information is tailored based on driver requests. Both one-time requests for information and on-going information streams based on a submitted traveler profile and preferences are supported.
ISP Data Collection This equipment package collects and stores traveler information that is collected in the course of operation of the ISP subsystem. This data can be used directly by operations personnel or it can be made available to other data users and archives in the region.
ISP Probe Information Collection This equipment package aggregates and processes traffic probe data collected from equipped vehicles, toll operators, and transit centers. It also collects, aggregates, and processes environmental probe data from equipped vehicles. Probe data may be collected through direct wide area wireless communications with vehicles or through short range communications equipment at the roadside. Aggregated probe data and derived route travel times and environmental conditions information are distributed to other centers and other equipment packages that use the information to support transportation operations and traveler information services.
ITS Data Repository This equipment package collects data and data catalogs from one or more data sources and stores the data in a focused repository that is suited to a particular set of ITS data users. This equipment package includes capabilities for performing quality checks on the incoming data, error notification, and archive to archive coordination. This equipment package supports a broad range of implementations, ranging from simple data marts that collect a focused set of data and serve a particular user community to large-scale data warehouses that collect, integrate, and summarize transportation data from multiple sources and serve a broad array of users within a region.
Mayday Support This equipment package receives Mayday messages from vehicles or personal handheld devices, determines an appropriate response, and either uses internal resources or contacts a local agency to provide that response. The nature of the emergency is determined based on the information in the mayday message as well as other inputs. This package effectively serves as an interface between automated mobile mayday systems and the local public safety answering point for messages which require a public safety response.
MCM Automated Treatment System Control This equipment package remotely monitors and controls automated road treatment systems that disperse anti-icing chemicals or otherwise treat a road segment. The automated treatment system may be remotely activated by this equipment package or it may include environmental sensors that activate the system automatically based on sensed environmental conditions. This equipment package monitors treatment system operation, sets operating parameters, and directly controls system activation if necessary.
MCM Data Collection This equipment package collects and stores maintenance and construction information that is collected in the course of operations by the Maintenance and Construction Management Subsystem. This data can be used directly by operations personnel or it can be made available to other data users and archives in the region.
MCM Environmental Information Collection This equipment package collects current road and weather conditions using data collected from environmental sensors deployed on and about the roadway. In addition to fixed sensor stations at the roadside, this equipment package also collects environmental information from sensor systems located on Maintenance and Construction Vehicles as well as the broader population of vehicle probes. It also collects current and forecast environmental conditions information that is made available by other systems. The equipment package aggregates the sensor system data and provides it, along with data attributes to meteorological systems.
MCM Environmental Information Processing This equipment package processes current and forecast weather data, road condition information, local environmental data, and uses internal models to develop specialized detailed forecasts of local weather and surface conditions. The processed environmental information products are presented to center personnel and disseminated to other centers.
MCM Incident Management This equipment package supports maintenance and construction participation in coordinated incident response. Incident notifications are shared, incident response resources are managed, and the overall incident situation and incident response status is coordinated among allied response organizations.
MCM Maintenance Decision Support This equipment package recommends maintenance courses of action based on current and forecast environmental and road conditions and additional application specific information. Decisions are supported through understandable presentation of filtered and fused environmental and road condition information for specific time horizons as well as specific maintenance recommendations that are generated by the system based on this integrated information. The recommended courses of action are supported by information on the anticipated consequences of action or inaction, when available.
MCM Roadway Maintenance and Construction This equipment package provides overall management and support for routine maintenance on a roadway system or right-of-way. Services managed 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, etc.). Environmental conditions information is also received from various weather sources to aid in scheduling routine maintenance activities.
MCM Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Management This equipment package monitors vehicle and equipment condition, tracks maintenance history, and schedules routine and corrective maintenance based on vehicle utilization and availability schedules.
MCM Vehicle Tracking This equipment package tracks the location of maintenance and construction vehicles and other equipment. Vehicle location and associated information is presented to the operator.
MCM Winter Maintenance Management This equipment package manages winter road maintenance, tracking and controlling snow plow operations, roadway treatment (e.g., salt spraying and other material applications), and other snow and ice control operations. It monitors environmental conditions and weather forecasts and uses the information to schedule winter maintenance activities, determine the appropriate snow and ice control response, and track and manage response operations.
MCM Work Activity Coordination This equipment package disseminates work activity schedules and current asset restrictions to other agencies. Work schedules are coordinated with operating agencies, factoring in the needs and activities of other agencies and adjacent jurisdictions. Work schedules are also distributed to Information Service Providers for dissemination to the traveling public.
MCM Work Zone Management This equipment package remotely monitors and supports work zone activities, controlling traffic through dynamic message signs (DMS), Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), gates and barriers, and informing other groups of activity (e.g., ISP, TM, other maintenance and construction centers) for better coordination management. Work zone speeds, and delays, and closures are provided to the motorist prior to the work zones. This equipment package provides control of field equipment in all maintenance areas, including fixed and portable field equipment supporting both stationary and mobile work zones.
MCM Work Zone Safety Management This equipment package remotely monitors work zone safety systems that detect vehicle intrusions in work zones and warns crew workers and drivers of imminent encroachment. Crew movements are also monitored so that the crew can be warned of movement beyond the designated safe zone.
MCV Infrastructure Monitoring This on-board equipment package monitors the condition of pavement, bridges, tunnels, associated hardware, and other transportation-related infrastructure (e.g., culverts). It includes vehicle-based sensors that directly monitor the infrastructure, communications that allow roadway-based infrastructure monitoring sensors to be controlled and read, and data communications that allows collected infrastructure condition information to be reported back to a center.
MCV Roadway Maintenance and Construction This equipment package includes the on-board systems that support routine non-winter maintenance on a roadway system or right-of-way. Routine maintenance includes 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, etc.).
MCV Vehicle Location Tracking This on-board equipment package tracks vehicle location and reports the position and timestamp information to a dispatch center.
MCV Vehicle Safety Monitoring This equipment package detects vehicle intrusions in the vicinity of the vehicle and warns crew workers and drivers of imminent encroachment. Crew movements are also monitored so that the crew can be warned of movement beyond the designated safe zone. This equipment package can be used for stationary work zones or in mobile applications where a safe zone is maintained around the moving vehicle.
MCV Vehicle System Monitoring and Diagnostics This equipment package includes on-board sensors capable of monitoring the condition of each of the vehicle systems and diagnostics that can be used to support vehicle maintenance. The status of the vehicle and ancillary equipment and diagnostic information is provided to the vehicle operator, repair facility, and dispatch center.
MCV Winter Maintenance This on-board equipment package supports snow plow operations and other roadway treatments (e.g., salt spraying and other material applications). It supports communications with the center to receive information and instructions that are provided to the vehicle operator and also supports remote control of on-board systems. The equipment package tracks operational status of snow and ice control operations and provides this information back to the center.
MCV Work Zone Support This on-board equipment package provides communications and support for local management of a work zone. It supports communications between field personnel and the managing center to keep the center appraised of current work zone status. It controls vehicle-mounted driver information systems (e.g., dynamic message signs) and uses short range communications to monitor and control other fixed or portable driver information systems in the work zone.
On-board EV En Route Support This on-board equipment package supports dispatch, routing, and tracking of an emergency vehicle. Dispatch and routing information are received and presented to the driver and vehicle location and status are tracked and provided back to the dispatcher. This equipment package supports traffic signal preemption via short range communication directly with signal control equipment and sends alert messages to surrounding vehicles. It also supports communications with care facilities, sharing patient status and care facility status between the en route emergency vehicle and the care facility.
On-board EV Incident Management Communication This on-board equipment package provides communications support to first responders. Information about the incident, information on dispatched resources, and ancillary information such as road and weather conditions are provided to emergency personnel. Emergency personnel transmit information about the incident such as identification of vehicles and people involved, the extent of injuries, hazardous material, resources on site, site management strategies in effect, and current clearance status. Emergency personnel may also send in-vehicle signing messages to approaching traffic using short range communications.
On-board Maintenance This on-board equipment package collects and processes transit vehicle maintenance data including mileage and vehicle operating conditions. This maintenance information is provided to the management center and used to schedule future vehicle maintenance and repair.
On-board Paratransit Operations This on-board equipment package forwards paratransit and flexible-route dispatch requests to the operator and forwards acknowledgements to the center. It coordinates with, and assists the operator in managing multi-stop runs associated with demand responsive transit services including paratransit. The equipment package collects transit vehicle passenger data and makes it available to the center.
On-board Schedule Management This on-board equipment package monitors schedule performance and identifies corrective actions when a deviation is detected. It provides two-way communication between the transit vehicle and center, enabling the center to communicate with the vehicle operator and monitor on-board systems.
On-board Transit Fare Management This on-board equipment package supports fare collection using a standard fare card or other non-monetary fare medium and detects payment violations. Collected fare data are made available to the center.
On-board Transit Information Services This equipment package furnishes en-route transit users with real-time travel-related information on-board a transit vehicle. Current information that can be provided to transit users includes transit routes, schedules, transfer options, fares, real-time schedule adherence, current incidents, weather conditions, non-motorized transportation services, and special events are provided. In addition to tailored information for individual transit users, this equipment package also supports general annunciation and/or display of general schedule information, imminent arrival information, and other information of general interest to transit users.
On-board Transit Security This equipment package provides security and safety functions on-board the transit vehicle. It includes surveillance and sensor systems that monitor the on-board environment, silent alarms that can be activated by transit user or vehicle operator, operator authentication, and a remote vehicle disable function. 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).
On-board Transit Signal Priority This on-board equipment package provides the capability for transit vehicles to request signal priority at signalized intersections, ramps, and interchanges through short range communication directly with traffic control equipment at the roadside.
On-board Transit Trip Monitoring This on-board equipment package tracks vehicle location, monitors fuel usage, collects operational status (doors opened/closed, running times, etc.) and sends the collected, time stamped data to the Transit Management Subsystem.
Parking Electronic Payment This equipment package supports electronic payment of parking fees using in-vehicle equipment (e.g., tags) or contact or proximity cards. It includes the field elements that provide the interface to the in-vehicle or card payment device and the back-office functionality that performs the transaction.
Parking Management This equipment package detects and classifies vehicles at parking facility entrances, exits, and other designated locations within the facility. Current parking availability is monitored and used to inform drivers through dynamic message signs/displays so that vehicles are efficiently routed to available spaces. Parking facility information, including current parking rates and directions to entrances and available exits, is also provided to drivers. Coordination with traffic management supports local traffic control coordination in and around the parking facility.
Personal Interactive Information Reception This equipment package provides traffic information, road conditions, transit information, yellow pages (traveler services) information, special event information, and other traveler information that is specifically tailored based on the traveler's request and/or previously submitted traveler profile information. The interactive traveler information capability is provided by personal devices including personal computers and personal portable devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Personal Location Determination This equipment package receives current location information and provides this information to other equipment packages that use the location information to provide guidance and emergency notification services. The equipment package interfaces with and encapsulates positioning technology such as a GPS receiver that is embedded in the user's personal computer or other portable device.
Personal Mayday I/F This equipment package provides the capability for travelers to report an emergency or activate a panic button to summon assistance. The personal mayday capability is provided by a portable device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Personal Trip Planning and Route Guidance This equipment package provides a personalized trip plan to the traveler. The trip plan is calculated by the Information Service Provider based on preferences and constraints supplied by the traveler and provided to the traveler for confirmation. Reservations and advanced payment may also be processed by this equipment package to confirm the trip plan. Coordination with the Information Service Provider may continue during the trip so that the route plan can be modified to account for new information. Many equipment configurations are possible including systems that provide a basic trip plan to the traveler as well as more sophisticated systems that can provide transition by transition guidance to the traveler along a multi-modal route. Devices represented by this equipment package include desktop computers at home, work, or at major trip generation sites, plus personal portable devices such as PDAs and pagers.
Rail Operations Coordination This equipment package provides coordination between rail operations and traffic management centers. It receives train schedules, maintenance schedules, incidents, priority messages, and any other forecast events that will impact highway-rail intersection (HRI) closures from Rail Operations. The provided information is used to develop forecast HRI closure times and durations which may be applied in advanced traffic control strategies or delivered as enhanced traveler information. This equipment package includes the processing and algorithms necessary to derive HRI closure times and the communications capabilities necessary to communicate with rail operations and interface to the traffic control and information distribution capabilities included in other Traffic Management Subsystem equipment packages.
Remote Transit Fare Management This equipment package provides the capability for the traveler to use a common fare medium for transit fares, tolls, and/or parking lot charges. It accepts a service request and means of payment, verifies eligibility, calculates the amount due, collects payment, and identifies payment problems. This equipment package may be implemented using a traveler card reader in a kiosk that includes a communications interface to the financial infrastructure to support payment collection and reconciliation.
Remote Transit Information Services This equipment package furnishes transit users with real-time travel-related information at transit stops, multi-modal transfer points, and other public transportation areas. It provides transit users with information on transit routes, schedules, transfer options, available services, fares, and real-time schedule adherence. In addition to tailored information for individual transit users, this equipment package supports general annunciation and/or display of imminent arrival information and other information of general interest to transit users.
Remote Traveler Security This equipment package provides the capability to report an emergency or summon assistance from secure areas such as transit stops, transit stations, modal transfer facilities, rest stops and picnic areas, park-and-ride areas, tourism and travel information areas, and emergency pull off areas. This package includes interfaces that support initiation of an alarm and presentation of the returned alarm acknowledgement as well as a broadcast message to advise or warn the traveler.
Roadway Automated Treatment This equipment package automatically treats a roadway section based on environmental or atmospheric conditions or under center control. Treatments include fog dispersion, anti-icing chemicals, etc
Roadway Basic Surveillance This equipment package monitors traffic conditions using fixed equipment such as loop detectors and CCTV cameras.
Roadway Environmental Monitoring This equipment package measures environmental conditions and communicates the collected information back to a center where it can be monitored and analyzed. A broad array of general weather and road surface information may be collected. Weather conditions that may be measured include temperature, wind, humidity, precipitation, and visibility. Surface and sub-surface sensors can measure road surface temperature, moisture, icing, salinity, and other measures.
Roadway Equipment Coordination This equipment package supports direct communications between field equipment. It includes field elements that control and send data to other field elements. This includes coordination between remote sensors and field devices (e.g., Dynamic Message Signs) and coordination between the field devices themselves (e.g., direct coordination between traffic controllers that are controlling adjacent intersections.).
Roadway Infrastructure Monitoring This equipment package monitors the condition of pavement, bridges, tunnels, associated hardware, and other transportation-related infrastructure (e.g., culverts). It includes sensors that monitor the infrastructure and the communications necessary to report this data to a center or vehicle-based maintenance system.
Roadway Probe Data Communications This equipment package collects probe data from passing vehicles that are equipped with a short range communications device. The probe data collected by this equipment package may include link travel times, average speeds, road conditions, and any other data that can be measured and communicated by passing vehicles. This equipment package consists of field equipment that communicates with passing vehicles using short range communications, collects the provided information, and sends the collected information back to a center for processing and distribution.
Roadway Signal Controls This equipment package includes the field elements that monitor and control signalized intersections. It includes the traffic signal controllers, signal heads, detectors, and other ancillary equipment that supports traffic signal control. It also includes field masters, and equipment that supports communications with a central monitoring and/or control system, as applicable. The communications link supports upload and download of signal timings and other parameters and reporting of current intersection status. This equipment package represents the field equipment used in all levels of traffic signal control from basic actuated systems that operate on fixed timing plans through adaptive systems. It also supports all signalized intersection configurations, including those that accommodate pedestrians.
Roadway Signal Priority This equipment package includes the field elements that receive signal priority and/or signal preemption requests from vehicles approaching a signalized intersection and controls traffic signals accordingly. Depending on the type of request and implementation, this equipment package may override (preempt) current signal timing or delay phase transition. In signal priority systems, the request for priority may or may not be granted, based on the overall traffic situation at the intersection.
Roadway Traffic Information Dissemination This equipment package includes field elements that provides information to drivers, including dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio.
Roadway Work Zone Safety This equipment package includes field elements that detect vehicle intrusions in work zones and warns crew workers and drivers of imminent encroachment. Crew movements are also monitored so that the crew can be warned of movement beyond the designated safe zone.
Roadway Work Zone Traffic Control This equipment package controls traffic in areas of the roadway where maintenance and construction activities are underway, monitoring and controlling traffic using field equipment such as CCTV cameras, dynamic messages signs, and gates/barriers. Work zone speeds and delays are provided to the motorist prior to the work zones.
Service Patrol Management This equipment package supports dispatch and communication with roadway service patrol vehicles that monitor roads to aid motorists, offering rapid response to minor incidents.
Standard Rail Crossing This equipment package manages highway traffic at highway-rail intersections (HRIs) where operational requirements do not dictate advanced features (e.g., where rail operational speeds are less than 80 miles per hour). Either passive (e.g., the crossbuck sign) or active warning systems (e.g., flashing lights and gates) are supported depending on the specific requirements for each intersection. These traditional HRI warning systems may also be augmented with other standard traffic management devices. The warning systems are activated on notification of an approaching train by interfaced wayside equipment. 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 through interfaces to the wayside interface equipment and the traffic management subsystem.
TMC Environmental Monitoring This equipment package assimilates current and forecast road conditions and surface weather information using a combination of weather service provider information, information collected by other centers such as the Maintenance and Construction Management Subsystem, and data collected from environmental sensors deployed on and about the roadway. The collected environmental information is monitored and presented to the operator. This information can be used to issue general traveler advisories and support location specific warnings to drivers. Other equipment packages process the collected information and provide decision support.
TMC Evacuation Support This equipment package supports development, coordination, and execution of special traffic management strategies during evacuation and subsequent reentry of a population in the vicinity of a disaster or major emergency. A traffic management strategy is developed based on anticipated demand, the capacity of the road network including access to and from the evacuation routes, and existing and forecast conditions. The strategy supports efficient evacuation and also protects and optimizes movement of response vehicles and other resources that are responding to the emergency. This equipment package coordinates the evacuation with the Traffic Management Subsystem (representing centers in other affected jurisdictions) and the Emergency Management Subsystem.
TMC Freeway Management This equipment package provides center monitoring and control of freeway traffic control systems including ramp control, interchange control, and mainline lane control systems. Approaches covered include ramp metering, interchange connector metering, overhead lane control signals, freeway mainline metering, and variable speed control systems.
TMC Incident Detection This equipment package identifies and reports incidents to Traffic Operations Personnel. It remotely monitors and controls traffic sensor and surveillance systems that support incident detection and verification. It analyzes and reduces the collected sensor and surveillance data, external alerting and advisory and incident reporting systems, anticipated demand information from intermodal freight depots, border crossings, special event information, and identifies and reports incidents and hazardous conditions
TMC Incident Dispatch Coordination/Communication This equipment package formulates and manages an incident response that takes into account the incident potential, incident impacts, and resources required for incident management. It supports dispatch of emergency response and service vehicles as well as coordination with other cooperating agencies. It provides access to traffic management resources that provide surveillance of the incident, traffic control in the surrounding area, and support for the incident response. It monitors the incident response and collects performance measures such as incident response and clearance times.
TMC Multimodal Coordination This equipment package supports center-to-center coordination between the Traffic Management and Transit Management Subsystems. It monitors transit operations and provides traffic signal priority for transit vehicles on request from the Transit Management Subsystem.
TMC Probe Information Collection This equipment package collects, assimilates, and disseminates vehicle probe data collected from roadside short range communications equipment and centers controlling transit vehicles, toll collection points, and route-guided vehicles. It estimates traffic and road conditions based on the aggregated probe data and disseminates this information to other centers.
TMC Regional Traffic Management This equipment package supports coordination between traffic management centers in order to share traffic information between centers as well as control of traffic management field equipment. This coordination supports wide area optimization and regional coordination that spans jurisdictional boundaries; for example, coordinated signal control in a metropolitan area or coordination between freeway operations and arterial signal control within a corridor.
TMC Signal Control This equipment package provides the capability for traffic managers to monitor and manage the traffic flow at signalized intersections. This capability includes analyzing and reducing the collected data from traffic surveillance equipment and developing and implementing control plans for signalized intersections. Control plans may be developed and implemented that coordinate signals at many intersections under the domain of a single traffic management subsystem and are responsive to traffic conditions and adapt to support incidents, preemption and priority requests, pedestrian crossing calls, etc.
TMC Traffic Information Dissemination This equipment package disseminates traffic and road conditions, closure and detour information, incident information, driver advisories, and other traffic-related data to other centers, the media, and driver information systems. It monitors and controls driver information system field equipment including dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio, managing dissemination of driver information through these systems.
TMC Work Zone Traffic Management This equipment package coordinates work plans with maintenance systems so that work zones are established that have minimum traffic impact. Traffic control strategies are implemented to further mitigate traffic impacts associated with work zones that are established, providing work zone information on driver information systems such as dynamic message signs.
Toll Administration This equipment package provides administration and management of an electronic toll collection system. It provides the back office functions that support enrollment, pricing, payment reconciliation with financial institutions, and violation notification to enforcement agencies. It also supports dynamic pricing to support demand management. Secure communications with the financial infrastructure and distributed toll plazas support electronic payments and other ancillary requirements such as lost/stolen tag identification and management.
Toll Data Collection This equipment package collects and stores toll information that is collected in the course of toll operations performed by the Toll Administration Subsystem. This data can be used directly by operations personnel or it can be made available to other data users and archives in the region.
Toll Plaza Toll Collection This equipment package provides toll plazas the capability to identify properly equipped vehicles, collect electronic tolls, and provide a positive indication to the driver that a toll was collected. Violators are identified and images are collected. Toll transactions are stored and reported to the Toll Administration Subsystem.
Traffic and Roadside Data Archival This equipment package collects and archives traffic, roadway, and environmental information for use in off-line planning, research, and analysis. The equipment package controls and collects information directly from equipment at the roadside, reflecting the deployment of traffic detectors that are used primarily for traffic monitoring and planning purposes rather than for traffic management.
Traffic Data Collection This equipment package collects and stores traffic information that is collected in the course of traffic operations performed by the Traffic Management Subsystem. This data can be used directly by operations personnel or it can be made available to other data users and archives in the region.
Traffic Maintenance This equipment package monitors the operational status of field equipment and detects failures. It presents field equipment status to Traffic Operations Personnel and reports failures to the Maintenance and Construction Management Subsystem. The equipment package tracks the repair or replacement of the failed equipment. The entire range of ITS field equipment may be monitored by this equipment package including sensors (traffic, infrastructure, environmental, security, speed, etc.) and devices (highway advisory radio, dynamic message signs, automated roadway treatment systems, barrier and safeguard systems, cameras, traffic signals and override equipment, ramp meters, beacons, security surveillance equipment, etc.).
Transit Center Fare Management This equipment package manages fare collection and passenger load management at the transit center. It provides the back office functions that support transit fare collection, supporting payment reconciliation with links to financial institutions and enforcement agencies for fare violations. It collects data required to determine accurate ridership levels, establish fares, and distribute fare information. This equipment package loads fare data into the vehicle prior to the beginning of normal operations and unloads fare collection data from the vehicle at the close out of normal operations.
Transit Center Fixed-Route Operations This equipment package manages fixed route transit operations. It supports creation of schedules, blocks and runs for fixed and flexible route transit services. The package allows fixed-route and flexible-route transit services to disseminate schedules and automatically updates customer service operator systems with the most current schedule information. This equipment package also supports automated dispatch of transit vehicles. Current vehicle schedule adherence and optimum scenarios for schedule adjustment are also provided. This equipment package also receives and processes transit vehicle loading data.
Transit Center Information Services This equipment package collects the latest available information for a transit service and makes it available to transit customers and to Information Service Providers for further distribution. Customers are provided information at transit stops and other public transportation areas before they embark and on-board the transit vehicle once they are enroute. Information provided can include the latest available information on transit routes, schedules, transfer options, fares, real-time schedule adherence, current incidents, weather conditions, yellow pages, and special events. In addition to general service information, tailored information (e.g., itineraries) are provided to individual transit users.
Transit Center Multi-Modal Coordination The equipment package supports transit service coordination between transit properties and coordinates with other surface and air transportation modes. As part of service coordination, this equipment package shares schedule and trip information, as well as transit transfer cluster (a collection of stop points, stations, or terminals where transfers can be made conveniently) and transfer point information between Multimodal Transportation Service Providers, Transit Agencies, and ISPs. An interface to Traffic Management also supports demand management strategies.
Transit Center Paratransit Operations This equipment package manages demand responsive transit services, including paratransit services. It supports planning and scheduling of these services, allowing paratransit and other demand response transit services to plan efficient routes and better estimate arrival times. This equipment package also supports automated dispatch of paratransit vehicles and tracks passenger pick-ups and drop-offs. Customer service operator systems are updated with the most current schedule information.
Transit Center Security This equipment package monitors transit vehicle operator or traveler activated alarms received from on-board a transit vehicle. It supports transit vehicle operator authentication and provides the capability to remotely disable a transit vehicle. This equipment package also includes the capability to alert operators and police to potential incidents identified by these security features.
Transit Center Vehicle Tracking This equipment package monitors transit vehicle location. The location information is collected via a data communication link between the transit vehicles and the transit center. The location information is presented to the transit operator on a digitized map of the transit service area. The location data may be used to determine real time schedule adherence and update the transit system’s schedule in real-time. The real-time schedule information is provided to Information Service Providers and the Transit Center Information Services equipment package, which furnish the information to travelers.
Transit Data Collection This equipment package collects and stores transit information that is collected in the course of transit operations performed by the Transit Management Subsystem. This data can be used directly by operations personnel or it can be made available to other data users and archives in the region.
Transit Environmental Monitoring This equipment package assimilates current and forecast road conditions and surface weather information from a variety of sources, including both weather service providers and vehicle probes. The collected environmental information is monitored and forwarded to other agencies to more effectively manage transit operations.
Transit Evacuation Support This equipment package manages transit resources to support evacuation and subsequent reentry of a population in the vicinity of a disaster or other emergency. It supports coordination of regional evacuation plans, identifying the transit role in a regional evacuation and identifying transit resources that would be used. During an evacuation, this equipment package coordinates the use of transit and school bus fleets, supporting evacuation of those with special needs and the general population. Transit service and fare schedules are adjusted and updated service and fare information is made available through traveler information systems. This equipment package coordinates the functions in other Transit equipment packages to support these requirements.
Transit Garage Maintenance This equipment package provides advanced maintenance functions for the transit property. It collects operational and maintenance data from transit vehicles, manages vehicle service histories, and monitors operators and vehicles. It collects vehicle mileage data and uses it to automatically generate preventative maintenance schedules for each vehicle by utilizing vehicle tracking data from a prerequisite vehicle tracking equipment package. In addition, it provides information to proper service personnel to support maintenance activities and records and verifies that maintenance work was performed.
Transit Vehicle Operator Assignment This equipment package automates and supports the assignment of transit vehicle operators to runs. It assigns operators to runs in a fair manner while minimizing labor and overtime services, considering operator preferences and qualifications, and automatically tracking and validating the number of work hours performed by each individual operator. It also provides an exception handling process for the operator assignment function to generate supplemental operator assignments when required by changes during the operating day.
Traveler Secure Area Sensor Monitoring This equipment package includes sensors that monitor conditions of secure areas that are frequented by travelers (i.e., transit stops, transit stations, rest areas, park and ride lots, modal interchange facilities, etc). The equipment package monitors areas for environmental threats (e.g., chemical agent, toxic industrial chemical, biological, explosives, and radiological sensors), intrusion and motion, and object detection.
Traveler Secure Area Surveillance This equipment package manages surveillance equipment that monitors secure areas in the transportation system that are frequented by travelers (i.e., transit stops, transit stations, rest areas, park and ride lots, modal interchange facilities, etc). This package collects the images and audio inputs at the secure area and provides the surveillance information to the Emergency Management Subsystem. The equipment package also provides local processing of the video or audio information, providing processed or analyzed results to the Emergency Management Subsystem. This equipment package provides the same functions as the Field Secure Area Surveillance equipment package.
Traveler Telephone Information This equipment package services voice-based traveler requests for information that supports traveler telephone information systems like 511. The equipment package takes requests for traveler information, which could be voice-formatted traveler requests, dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF)-based requests, or a simple traveler information request, and returns the requested traveler information in the proper format. In addition to servicing requests for traveler information, this equipment package also collects and forwards alerts and advisories to traveler telephone information systems.
Vehicle Location Determination This equipment package receives current location of the vehicle from the Location Data Source terminator and provides this information to other equipment packages that use the location information to provide various ITS services.
Vehicle Mayday I/F This equipment package provides the capability for drivers or collision detection sensors to report an emergency and summon assistance. This equipment package includes the on-board collision detection sensors, a mechanism for the driver to summon assistance, and two-way communications with a service provider.
Vehicle Safety Monitoring System This equipment package monitors critical components of the vehicle and warns the driver of potential dangers. These capabilities are provided by on-board sensors to monitor the vehicle condition and performance, including steering, braking, acceleration, emissions, fuel economy, engine performance, etc. Problems with any of these systems are identified and reported to the driver. Warnings are provided in the event of a serious condition (e.g., likely failure or damage).
Vehicle Toll/Parking Interface This equipment package includes the on-board systems that pay for tolls and parking electronically. It includes in-vehicle equipment that communicates with the toll/parking plaza (e.g., a tag) and an optional interface to a traveler card to allow use of a common payment medium for all transportation services.
Vehicle Traffic Probe Support This equipment package includes capabilities for the probe vehicle to identify its location, measure traffic conditions such as link travel time and speed, and transmit these data to a center or roadside equipment.
Vehicle Trip Planning and Route Guidance This equipment package includes the in-vehicle system that coordinates with a traveler information center to provide a personalized trip plan to the driver. The trip plan is calculated by the Information Service Provider based on preferences and constraints supplied by the driver and provided to the driver for confirmation. Reservations and advanced payment may also be processed by this equipment package to confirm the trip plan. Coordination with the Information Service Provider may continue during the trip so that the route plan can be modified to account for new information. Many equipment configurations are possible including in-vehicle systems that provide a basic trip plan to the driver as well as more sophisticated systems that can provide turn by turn guidance to the driver along the route.
Virtual Data Warehouse Services This equipment package provides capabilities to access "in-place" data from geographically dispersed archives and coordinate information exchange with a local data warehouse. While many of the functions performed by this equipment package are similar to the functions inherent in other archived data management subsystem equipment packages (e.g. data management, fusion, analysis) this equipment package also provides the specialized publishing, directory services, and transaction management functions associated with coordinating remote archives. In addition, this equipment package performs functions on an as-needed basis, thereby negating the need to maintain the comprehensive set of data from the remote archives in the local data warehouse.
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