PLANiTS: Structuring and Supporting the Intelligent Transportation Systems Planning Process

1997 ◽  
Vol 1588 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad J. Khattak ◽  
Adib Kanafani
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measures ◽  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Case Based Reasoning ◽  
Systems Planning ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Computer Based

PLANiTS (Planning and Analysis Integration for Intelligent Transportation Systems) is a process-based computer system that supports a series of mutually interdependent steps progressing toward developing and programming transportation improvement projects. It is a tool that translates problems and goals to performance measures, examines possible competing and complementary transportation improvement actions, systematically evaluates the impacts of actions using models and knowledge, and supports human interactions between stakeholders. The PLANiTS methodology is nonincremental because it integrates existing knowledge about transportation with analysis using models with deliberation and issue resolution. To link planning and modeling, PLANiTS has a policy base that contains contemporary performance measures, an action base containing conventional and Intelligent Transportation Systems actions, a methods base that facilitates modeling, a case that has qualitative and quantitative information about historical cases, and a set of computer-based communications tools. This comprehensive methodology will likely expedite the implementation of intelligent technologies by systematically examining their trade-offs with more conventional transportation improvement actions. PLANiTS’s structure, functionality, and application are described. Transportation improvement projects are represented as planning vectors in PLANiTS. A vector permits users to examine the effects of chosen transportation actions in terms of performance measures within an environment. Users must specify the actions, performance measures, and the environment, each in terms of their spatial, temporal, and user dimensions. Then they can analyze the planning vector with models and case-based reasoning. During the process of planning vector specification and analysis, stakeholders at different locations can communicate by sending and receiving messages and sharing the planning vector. Users at different locations can examine and review the results and iterate in an open and deliberative planning environment. Overall, PLANiTS facilitates transportation planning processes by combining analysis and deliberation.

Incorporating Intelligent Transportation Systems into Major Investment Studies: Conceptual Issues and Challenges

1998 ◽  
Vol 1651 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gregory Hatcher ◽  
James A. Bunch ◽  
Donald L. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Problem Definition ◽  
Corridor Planning ◽  
Surface Transportation ◽  
Key Steps ◽  
Measures Of Effectiveness

The issues associated with incorporating intelligent transportation systems (ITS) strategies into alternatives analysis planning studies such as major investment studies (MIS), which have emerged since the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act was passed in 1991, are discussed. The challenges and implications of including ITS in three of the key steps of the MIS process—problem definition, alternative definition, and analysis—are examined. As context for the specific issues addressed, a case study is presented on incorporating ITS into a corridor planning process that is being conducted using Seattle data. Critical to incorporating ITS elements within an MIS process is developing a problem statement, goals and objectives, and measures of effectiveness that are sensitive to ITS and other operational improvements for the corridor or subarea under study. Traditional MIS processes have focused on facility/service improvements and on average conditions and demand. ITS strategies, on the other hand, aim at improving ( a) operations; ( b) response to nonrecurrent conditions; and ( c) providing better information. To be able to address ITS strategies, the analysis approach used in an MIS should be sensitive to these issues. An illustration of how ITS strategies are being incorporated and evaluated in the Seattle (MIS-like) case study concludes the discussion.

Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems Architectures and the Competitive Region

1998 ◽  
Vol 1651 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Rodríguez ◽  
Abel Muñoz-Loustaunau ◽  
Todd Pendleton ◽  
Joseph M. Sussman
Keyword(s):  
System Architecture ◽  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Transportation Problems ◽  
Regional Coordination ◽  
Ideal Tool ◽  
Systems Architectures

The role of an architecture for deploying intelligent transportation systems in finding solutions to regional transportation problems is analyzed. The concept of a competitive region, a region with changing economic interests, stakeholders, and borders, is reviewed. The competitive region motivates finding solutions to transportation problems of regional scope. The concept of a regional system architecture is then introduced as a catalyst for reaching coordinated regional solutions. The regional architecture’s flexibility and ability to bring different stakeholders together make it an ideal tool for planning for intelligent transportation systems deployment in the competitive region while strengthening the traditional transportation planning process. The province of Mendoza, Argentina, is presented as a research case study for using an architecture for shaping a regional transportation system. The research shows that the fundamental issues to address in ITS deployment are institutional in nature and that a system architecture can become a strategic tool for developing transportation improvements in the context of regional coordination.

Behavioral Adaptation, Safety, and Intelligent Transportation Systems

2000 ◽  
Vol 1724 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Smiley
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Intelligent Transportation System ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cellular Phones ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Antilock Braking System ◽  
Driving Task ◽  
Increase Productivity

It is intrinsic to human nature to modify behavior to suit new conditions. How drivers are likely to change the way they drive if their vehicles are equipped with intelligent transportation system (ITS) devices is considered. It is clear from the antilock braking system experience that improvements in safety cannot be predicted on the basis of proof-of-concept studies alone, in which one simply looks at changes in performance of the task being aided, whether that is braking, navigation, or detection of hazards. One also must look at changes in other aspects of the driving task and at the type of driving being done to determine the likely effect on safety. In particular, one should assume that there may be trade-offs of mobility for safety, that is, more driving in more difficult conditions and at higher speeds leading to more crashes. Further, one should expect drivers to attempt to increase productivity while driving, given reduced driving task demand. The prolific use of cellular phones is evidence of this behavior. Research is needed on driver mental models of ITS devices, to ensure that drivers understand how they function. The best design from a mechanistic point of view may not be the most effective for drivers.

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