 July 2007 - ODOT ITS NEWSLETTER - VOL. 1, NO. 7
We hope you enjoy the 2007 Summer edition of ITS News, a quarterly publication produced by the Oregon Department of Transportation Maintenance Section, ITS Unit. Previous editions can be viewed at the ODOT ITS News and Events Web site. Please feel free to contact the newsletter editor, Jon Lazarus, ITS Project Manager, at (503) 986-6586, with any questions or comments.
Amy Mastraccio steps into new operations position for the ITS Unit.
The ITS unit's Operations Management System Coordinator position handles many projects, especially those working with complex data and analysis. This person has to have a good understanding of engineering and what the data measures are in order to provide meaningful results, which in turn help make decisions for the ITS unit.
ITS: Amy, thanks for agreeing to this interview. Could we start with a little background? I know you were working in Texas before joining us at ODOT. Could you give us a summary of your background?
AM: For the past 2 years I was a teacher in Austin, TX at a drug center and at a juvenile prison facility. I taught all levels of math and science to students ranging in age from 13 to 17 years. Prior to my teaching career, I worked in an engineering role for the City of Austin in floodplain management and flood early warning. The flood early warning aspect of that career had some overlap with the ITS industry. Both fields work with real-time data to help guide and inform the public. Also, both industries analyze archived data to help improve the performance and operation of the system.
ITS: What are your main responsibilities within ODOT and the ITS unit?
AM: My focus will be on developing and implementing incident management performance measures, traffic mobility performance measures, documenting operations performance measures in a quarterly report, establishing guidelines for prioritizing ITS equipment location, developing an asset management strategy, and prioritizing projects to replace aging operations infrastructure for each region.
ITS: What are some of the projects you are working on?
AM: Currently, I am analyzing the potential benefits of expanding ODOT’s dedicated incident response program. Also, I am working with a technical advisory committee on developing an Operations Management System (OMS) for ODOT. The OMS will streamline the process of collecting data from a multitude of systems (often times in incompatible formats) into a single system. I am also part of a technical advisory committee that is working towards improving travel time estimates displayed on our VMS signs. I am trying to wrap up an ITS asset condition ranking method, hopefully helping to standardize asset management within ODOT’s five regions.
ITS: We know you are also studying to pass your P.E. for Oregon . Good luck! How would you say someone with that knowledge helps the ITS unit and your position?
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AM: Since my background is in water resources, studying for the PE exam has allowed me to learn more about the transportation industry from an academic perspective. My main objective in working towards my PE license is to give myself more opportunities for growth within ODOT.
ITS: From your standpoint, where is the future for ITS?
AM: In my opinion, the ITS industry will only continue to grow due to the population boom in almost all major metropolitan areas. We must continue to develop ways to relieve congestion without solely relying on the construction industry. I’m a big believer in collaboration. Working with our neighboring west coast states will strengthen our performance because of the opportunities to learn from one another’s successes and failures.
ITS: Thanks for the interview. We welcome you aboard to the ITS unit and wish you the best of luck for your upcoming PE exam.
AM: Thanks.
For additional information on these programs visit the Oregon Department of Transportation's ITS unit's web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/ITS/
Following is an update on select Transportation Application Development (TAD) and ITS Unit projects currently underway. For more information on a specific project, see the ITS Internet projects page at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/ITS/projects.shtml.
 TripCheck Update -
We've updated the TripCheck frequently asked questions section with additional common questions we have been getting about TripCheck. Check out our FAQ's section at this link (http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/ATFAQ.asp) and you may learn something new about TripCheck!
Click here to see up-to-date statistics about TripCheck usage, or type this into your browser address line: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/ITS/its_stats.shtml
Find useful road and weather conditions at ODOT's TripCheck.com web site at:
http://www.tripcheck.com
TripCheck users are dependable about providing feedback. Here are some of the excellent suggestions we've received along with the changes we've made:
- Updated HTCRS (the software used behind the scenes to enter incident and road and weather information) to version 2.5. This upgrade included changes to separate incidents that occur at rest areas, on-ramps, off-ramps, and interchanges from incidents on the highway, to add additional reporting capabilities and to improve the display of snow zones where motorists are required to carry chains or traction tires, as well as number of other additional enhancements. This was successfully implemented on June 7, 2007. Another patch was implemented on June 26th to make the version 2.5.1 and fix a couple small problems found with the new version.
- Updated Motor Carrier data for TripCheck. This update gets commercial vehicle restriction data (height, weight and width limits) for TripCheck directly from the Motor Carrier restriction database instead of having the operators manually enter it into HTCRS (stands for Highway Travel Conditions Reporting System). This was successfully implemented on June 7, 2007 with the HTCRS upgrade.
If you have any suggestions or feedback for us you can email us at TripCheck.Support.ODOT@odot.state.or.us
What to look for:
- Region 1 (Portland) Camera images - We are currently working to sharpen the camera images and processing time from the Portland cameras to display on TripCheck. This project involves upgrading a number of hardware pieces, including servers and switches in the Flanders building in downtown Portland. This should have the effect of making the images from Portland much sharper and shorten the updating time on TripCheck for those images by about 40%.
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TripCheck Mobile Draft Logo
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Update for TripCheck to allow for mobile/PDA users. Currently, this project is in test and will be released later this summer.
- There are 2 new cameras on TripCheck in southwest region, Modoc Point (US97) and Doak Mountain (ORE140).
- There are 5 new cameras on US26 coming soon from the Portland Traffic Management Operations Center, TMOC.
If you have any suggestions or feedback for us you can email us at TripCheck.Support.ODOT@odot.state.or.us
For more information related to TripCheck, please contact Glen Hammer, Glen.A.HAMMER@odot.state.or.us, at (503) 986-3977.
For more information related to the Oregon Travel Information Council, please contact Craig Tutor, craig@oregontic.com, at (800) 574-9397.
RTP web page on TripCheck.
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Transportation Options (a.k.a Regional Trip Planner) UPDATE -
The Transportation Options (a.k.a Regional Trip Planner) Project upgraded and updated TripCheck's old Bus/Rail page. Transportation Options has been implemented for 5 months now and has displayed comprehensive public transportation information (buses, trains, shuttles, and taxis) for Oregon. There was an major upgrade to the behind the scenes software on June 20, 2007.
The Transportation Options feature originally rolled out to TripCheck in February, providing detailed information on over one hundred and seventy bus, rail, and dial-a-ride services throughout out the state. In addition to continually increasing the number of service providers listed, the feature allows multiple search methods. Users can search for transit services for a particular city or county, between cities, or for services that can accommodate riders with a wheelchair, oversized wheelchair, or who need door to door service. There is also a handy alphabetic listing of services by name.
Most service providers update their own service information. ODOT built a Web interface that allows staff from the various organizations to update their information over the Internet as the information changes. This approach removes any delay in getting the latest information to the traveling public.
Visit www.Tripcheck.com and click the Transportation Options tab to explore this excellent resource to ODOT’s traveler information Web site. Click here to download a Transportation Options User Guide in Adobe PDF format.
ITS Asset Map created for May 2007
ITS Asset Map (statewide) Draft May 2007
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Technology is moving quickly and the ITS unit is able to capitalize on data regarding devices in the field. The ITS unit has been able to produce a statewide map of all the assets it is in charge of. Cameras, weather stations, variable messaging signs, etc are among the devices we are interested in to see on this map.
The ITS unit, with the help of the GIS unit, was able to produce a draft map using the lattitude and longitude coordinates of these devices. This data was available due to the hard work of the ITS Support Coordinators, who install and maintain these devices and take the lattitude and longitude readings of their locations when they are at the device in the field.
To see a more detailed look at this map, please click on this link to the PDF version, where you are able to zoom in and out.
In the future, our vision is to make this a "dynamic" map. By that we mean, an electronic map with daily updates showing where new devices are located, which ones are operational or have a repair ticket. All of this data is within our Micromain database (see story in ITS news April 2006 ), in which the ITS support coordinators use to monitor their devices and work load from their PDA handheld device.
Contact Jon Lazarus, ITS Project Manager, Jon.M.Lazarus@odot.state.or.us, at (503) 986-6586 for more information.
ITS Experiences -Webinar with Galen McGill and Dean Deeter submitted by Jon Makler
On Friday, June 15th, ITS Oregon hosted a special event in which Galen McGill (ODOT) and Dean Deeter (Athey Creek Consultants) reported on their experiences at the ITS America Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA. The Center for Transportation Studies at Portland State University was kind enough to host the event, which enables anybody to view the archived session as a webcast. You can watch a live stream or download the file.
Galen’s highlights
- In-vehicle navigation systems from Square Loop and Dash Navigation
- USDOT programs, including $1 billion for congestion initiatives
- 2008 Annual Meeting and World Congress in New York City (November)
- ITSA’s “Vision Zero” safety campaign, which focuses on active, rather than passive, safety systems
Dean’s highlights
- Deployment of VII in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Travel time providers, such as Air Sage
- Systems Engineering as a “cornerstone” concept
- Mileage-based pricing
- Integrated corridor management
You can view the powerpoint presentation used by Galen and Dean during the webcast.
organizations.
For more information, visit www.itsoregon.org or contact Jon Makler (maklerj@metro.dst.or.us).
Transportation Operations Center System (TOCS):
Event Management STATUS PERIOD: MAY-JUNE 2007 -
TOCs - Screenshot of software Interface
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Oregon has four Transportation Operations Centers (TOCs) that provide mission critical services to the public and several Operations, Maintenance and Event Response programs. These TOC operations include many independent software programs to perform a variety of tasks. TOCs share a common goal: to provide and track transportation information for dissemination to ODOT operations, law enforcement, and other State and public transportation systems for use in their respective service areas. The TOCS Event Management project will provide one consistent system for use across the state that will support closer operational ties, and provide enhanced dissemination of information to ODOT’s customers and partners, both public and private.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- ODOT project team has finalized the majority of the functional specifications. Remaining issues are anticipated to be resolved by June 27, 2007.
- ODOT development team has completed 83% of the development work for the location component for Event Management.
- Executed contracts with PSSI and On-line Business Systems to begin building OSP-CAD external communications.
PLANNED FOR NEXT PERIOD:
- System Manager approval of all Functional Specifications by June 29, 2007.
- Development database physical model revisions based on completed Functional Specifications.
- OSU commences development work order to completion for Event Management Single.
Background:
Currently, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) information is relayed to ODOT’s dispatchers and they, in-turn, enter the relevant information (pertinent to ODOT and road conditions) into ODOT's software, which eventually sends data to www.TripCheck.com, TripCheck cable TV products, and TripCheck 511 phone system. Work is underway on the system connection between the TOCS and the the CAD system operated by Oregon State Police (OSP). On-line business systems (contractor) is designing the connection between the OSP and ODOT systems. Public Safety Systems, Inc. (PSSI), the vendor for the OSP CAD system, will be modifying the OSP CAD system to send data to and receive data from the TOCS (Transportation Operations Center System).
The items worked on are the detailed component level specifications for system functions that will enable event management to be shared among multiple operations centers, towing functions, and road and weather data entry screens. These modules will be integrated into the main event management module, tested, and will be a part of the first release of the new TOCS.
The project is now shifting focus from design to development. All aspects of the functional design are expected to be approved in July. After completion of the location development group, the team will begin working on the resource management functionality that allows assignment and management of human resources and material units to an event.
In total, the event management release will comprise of 15 development groups that will be built, tested and integrated for the first release scheduled for 2008.
Contact Rod Kamm, Rod.Kamm@odot.state.or.us, at (503) 986-4286 for more information.
ITS TechBuzz - Questions and Answer for folks outside of ITS
Welcome to this new section for the ITS news called ITS Tech Buzz! We've had a number of questions over the years come in about "How does this work?", or "Why did you do it this way?", so we've created a section to answer some of these questions. We're also going to try to answer our questions in such a way that the non-ITS professional will understand. Let us know what you think and if you have any suggestions please pass them along to the editor, Jon Lazarus. Thanks.
TechBuzz Question of the Quarter: Why are there sometimes weather Alerts on TripCheck and other times not?
This is a good question to answer as we are having very high "heat wave" temperatures across Oregon, and there are no Alerts on TripCheck regarding these high temperatures. First, let's discuss how weather data does appear on TripCheck.
There are several types of data that are weather related and are put into the TripCheck system. We have automated weather stations from weather devices in the field, we have data from operators that they enter from crews reporting in from reporting stations (usually winter only), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) forecasts are automated updates specific to regions around the state (under weather outlook tab on the TripCheck web site), and finally we have these NOAA weather alerts.
NOAA weather Alert example screen print
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The NOAA weather alerts come directly from NOAA's web site. NOAA has a defined list of 'products'. These 'products' are the category of the event, like tsunami or hurricane. NOAA has their own definition of severity, sometime calling things an "advisory", "warning" or a "watch". NOAA has a variety of these products and severity combinations available for notification to anyone wishing to access their data. TripCheck reviewed the entire list and decided to only display those categories and severity that were applicable for driving conditions and motorists. There were 29 products with a given severity from NOAA that TripCheck will display as an alert.
These are:
Blizzard Watch, Blizzard Warning, Blowing Dust Advisory, Dense Fog Advisory, Dust Storm Warning, Flash Flood Warning, Flash Flood Watch, Flood Warning, Flood Watch, Freeze Watch, Freezing Drizzle Advisory, Freezing Fog Advisory, Freezing Rain Advisory, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Heavy Snow Warning, High Wind Warning, High Wind Watch, Hurricane Force Wind Warning, Ice Storm Warning, Sever Weather Statement, Snow Advisory, Snow and Blowing Snow Advisory, Storm Warning, Tsunami Warning, Wind Advisory, Winter Storm Warning, Winter Storm Watch and Winter Weather Advisory.
The largest challenge (during the project to implement these alerts) was trying to decide how to place these on TripCheck. How did the TripCheck team determine the severity if NOAA already has a different scale for severity? The TripCheck team ran several testing scenarios during their testing phase and made individual determinations for each of the 29 products listed above and how they would display. These NOAA alerts started appearing on TripCheck during the first week of November 2006.
For reference, NOAA's web site is:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
We hope this answers this quarter's ITS TechBuzz question, however, if you have further questions on this topic, please pass them along to the editor, Jon Lazarus. Thanks.
ITS CONSTRUCTION - List of current ITS construction projects
Following is a list of projects that are currently under construction:
ORE 140 @ Doak Mountain - Camera Screenshot soon to be on TripCheck
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- Doak Mountain RWIS (Hwy 140 at MP 53.70). Construction is complete. Weather data and camera image will be posted to TripCheck soon.
- I-5 North Santiam Highway to Kuebler Boulevard. This project includes installing fiber optic cable and two cameras along I-5. The cameras will be operated by the NWTOC. A project change order links the NWTOC with the fiber optic cable along I-5. The project is currently under construction.
- I-5 North Medford Interchange (I-5 at MP 27.3). Two traffic monitoring cameras and fiber optic installation. The project is currently under construction.
- I-5 South Medford Interchange (I-5 at MP 27.3). Project includes installing a traffic monitoring camera and fiber optic cable installation. The project is currently under construction.
- Modoc Point RWIS (US 97 north of Klamath Falls). Construction is complete. Weather data and camera image will be posted to TripCheck soon.
- Region 1 CCTV, Communications, & VMS project. This project consists of extending fiber optic cable east along I-84 and installing nine new traffic monitoring cameras. Project will also place two existing variable message signs, a ramp meter and a road and weather information system (RWIS) station on the network. Additionally, the project includes the construction of 2 new Type 1 variable message signs on I-205. Anticipate construction to be complete in February 2008.
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US97 @ Modoc Point - Camera Screenshot soon to be on TripCheck
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US 97: Madras NB and ORE 138 Junction NB VMS. This project consists of installing a Type 2 VMS along US 97 at MP 214.11, NB) and a Type 1 VMS along US 97 at MP 97.13, NB. The project is currently under construction. The signs were delivered and installed during the week of June 25, 2007. Site acceptance tests and sign turn-ons are scheduled for July 2007. Anticipate project completion in September 2007.
- Region 5, 2007 ITS project. This project consists of 1 Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) transmitter with three warning signs and traffic gates at two on-ramps to I-84. These gates will prevent traffic from entering I-84 during emergencies such as snow storms. Cameras are included for verification purposes. Project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction completed October 2007.
- I-5: North Albany VMS and Camera Section. This project will be installing a Type 1 VMS and traffic monitoring camera along I-5 at MP 236.8 NB). The project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction completion in September 2007.
- Region 2 VMS Project (I-5 at MP 186.9, NB; I-5 at MP 190.99, SB; OR 69 at MP 7.64, EB; and US 20 at MP 31.25, EB). This project includes four variable message signs and three traffic monitoring cameras located in and around Eugene and Springfield . The project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction completed in October 2007.
- Region 2 Variable Message Signs, 2007. This project proposes installing a Type 2 VMS on North Santiam Highway at MP 48.86, EB and a Type 2 VMS on McKenzie Highway at MP 47.14, EB). Bids were opened in June. Contract has been awarded. Anticipate construction being completed by August 2008.
- US 97: China Hat Rd. – Baker Rd./Lava Butte Section. This project includes the installation of a Type 1 VMS on US 97 at MP 142.76 NB. Bids were opened in February, 2007. Contract has been awarded. Anticipate construction being completed by December 2007.
- I-5: Capitol Hwy – Tualatin River Sec. This project includes the installation of a Type 2 VMS on OR 99 W at MP 7.87 NB. Bids were opened in March, 2007. Contract has been awarded. Project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction being completed by November 2007.
Select projects in design include the following:
- US 97: North Chiloquin (SB) and S. Klamath Falls (NB) VMS. This project proposes installing a Type 1 VMS at MP 245.4, SB and a Type 1 VMS at MP 278.9, NB. This project is currently in design. Anticipate winter 2007 bid opening with construction and installation completed in summer 2008.
- Burnt River Canyon Freight Improvement Project. This project consists of 3 variable message signs, 4 speed display signs, and 2 road and weather information system (RWIS) stations along I-84 in the Burnt River Canyon corridor. The project is currently in design. Anticipate a November 2007 bid opening.
- Region 2 CCTV Project. This project consists of adding traffic monitoring cameras to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area. The project is currently in design. Anticipate a December 2008 bid opening.
- West Salem VMS and Salt Creek Tunnel Warning Signs: This project consists of installing a variable message sign on the Santiam Highway in the Salem area and two tunnel warning signs near the Salt Creek Tunnel on the Willamette Highway. The project is currently in design. Anticipate a December 2008 bid opening.
- Region 3 ITS Project. This project proposes to install a Road and Weather Information Station with camera along Highway 42 at Camas Mountain. The project is currently being scoped. Design should start this summer.
- Spring Creek RWIS Project. This project proposes to install a Road and Weather Information Station with camera along US 97 at MP 240.9. The project is currently in design.
- Area 1 RWIS Project. This project proposes to install a Road and Weather Information Station on the Megler Bridge. The project is currently in design.
ITS METRICS - Get the Latest ITS Statistics
 TripCheck usage data -
A quarterly summary of the TripCheck and ODOT travel information phone system usage numbers follow. The ITS unit homepage added a statistics section to our ODOT web site for frequently asked questions about our statistics. Click here to see the latest and greatest stats or type this into your browser address line: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/ITS/its_stats.shtml
This page includes graphs of the current month's usage data for TripCheck visits, pages views, hits, and calls to the ODOT phone system.
The approximate TripCheck averages for the first quarter of 2007 are:
 938,574 visits per month**
6,846,853 page views per month**
34,148,537 hits per month**
This quarter last year (2nd Quarter 2006) TripCheck.com had an average of 889,765 visits per month; 7,807,025 page views per month, and 31,901,800 hits per month.
The phone system (including 511 calls) for this quarter-period is:
51,391 calls in April
18,951 calls in May
22,003 calls in June
The average for this period is 30,782 calls per month. The average for this quarter last year was 43,103 calls.
**Visit: A visit is a series of actions that begins when a visitor views their first page from the server, and ends when the visitor leaves the site or remains idle beyond the idle-time limit. The default idle-time limit is thirty minutes. This time limit can be changed by the system administrator.
**Page View: A hit to any file classified as a page. Contrast the value for "page views" with the value for "hits," which includes hits to files of every type.
**Hit: Each file requested by a visitor registers as a hit. There can be several hits on each page. While the volume of hits reflects the amount of server traffic, it is not an accurate reflection of the number of pages viewed.
Green Light Metrics -
Green Light introduces new transponder:
The Oregon Green Light program is introducing a new transponder that trucks can use to preclear weigh stations. The Motor Carrier Transportation Division (MCTD) has acquired 6,000 Telematics transponders that it will start distributing when its supply of Mark IV transponders is depleted. This next generation transponder, which is manufactured by Telematics Wireless USA Corp., is the same device used in the country’s two other weigh station preclearance programs – PrePass and NORPASS. The transponder is also designed and used for toll roads, border crossings, and gate entry/exit operations.
Green Light program Transponders
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Green Light program Telematics Transponder
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Transponders are palm-sized devices that are mounted inside truck windshields. Vehicle identification systems extended over the roadway look for transponder signals, which relay an 8-12-digit number that identifies the company and specific truck. If a truck passes the size and weight screening and a check of the carrier’s registration and safety records, the transponder displays a green light signal that the truck is "good to go" past the station.
MCTD has distributed more than 40,000 transponders in the nine-year history of Green Light. It started in 1998 with a Raytheon Delco transponder that cost the Division $64 each and then shifted to a $39 Mark IV transponder in 2003. The new Telematics transponder costs only $25 each.
Green Light is a free service available to any company with trucks that frequently stop at Oregon weigh stations. Oregon gives companies their first transponder(s) free of charge because Green Light helps weigh station operators manage a growing stream of truck traffic.
As more trucks are weighed in-motion and precleared to pass a Green Light weigh station, the remaining trucks that continue to stop are more likely to need the weighmasters’ attention.
The Telematics transponder has a 6-10-year battery life. When a transponder’s battery dies, the motor carrier is expected to pay to replace the battery or buy a new transponder. A Salem BATTERIES PLUS store operates a Truck Transponder Service Center for refurbishing transponders at less than $15 each.
Visit the Green Light Web site for more information -- http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/GREEN.shtml
 Trucking Online Automates Transponder Application -
It's easier than ever for a trucker to get started in the Green Light weigh station preclearance program. The Green Light transponder application is now one of 57 transactions or records inquiry functions of Oregon Trucking Online. Developers added the online application to the Public Access Menu in July. A company does not need a Trucking Online password to access the application. They just enter their U.S. DOT number and Oregon account number, along with carrier and vehicle information. They then receive an e-mail confirmation that the application has been submitted for approval.
A company qualifies for a Green Light transponder if its truck has permanent Oregon registration credentials, three axles or more, and a minimum declared weight of 34,001 pounds. The truck must stop at Oregon Green Light weigh stations an average of at least once per month. Also, the company may not have an "Unsatisfactory" safety fitness rating.
Trucking Online Metrics -
A total of 12,322 companies are currently signed up for Trucking Online, including 3,621 based in Oregon. There are about 23,000 companies with trucks registered in Oregon and now the ones doing business online include 62% of those based in another state or Canada and 40% of those based in Oregon.
From January 2003 through June 2007, trucking companies and members of the public have used Trucking Online to complete 1,082,000 transactions or record inquiries that formerly required a phone call, fax, mail delivery or field office visit.
Visit the Trucking Online Web site for more information – http://OregonTruckingOnline.com
ITS MAINTENANCE - Updates on completed maintenance items
 ITS System Maintenance Report -
This section update shows some of the requests for work completed by our staff and gives a break-down of high-lights and areas where maintenance and enhancement work was done. TripCheck.com, 511 phone line, Herbicide line, and HTCRS are examples of the systems supported.
April 1 - June 30, 2007
68 new RFW’s were received. 68 RFW’s were closed or cancelled. Of these, 17 were for one software project (another 8 RFW’s were closed before April 1), 5 were for small maintenance projects, 14 were for system enhancements, and 32 were daily tasks such as system repairs or routine services.
- HTCRS 2.5 implementation. The changes in HTCRS also required updates to TripCheck.com, HAT/511, and Cable TV applications. This involved completing 25 individual requests for work.
- Updates to the TripCheck Transportation Options section of TripCheck.
- Cable TV installations in the Salem Transportation Building and Region 1 Headquarters Building lobbies.
- Developed a method to keep TripCheck Transportation Options functions running while performing server system maintenance.
- Corrected TripCheck.com problems, where closed incidents still showed icons on the web site.
- Corrected a TripCheck problem where future construction work could show up as an incident with lane closures.
- Corrected a serious problem with Camera Services error notification system.
- Developed and installed software to manage gates that close access to I-84 in eastern Oregon during severe weather.
- Modified the method used to determine the time of Last Daylight Image on TripCheck.
- Completed 25 Highway Travel Conditions Requests for Work
- Completed 12 TripCheck Requests for Work
- Completed 8 Highway Advisory Telephone Requests for Work
For questions contact Jim Weisgram at (503) 986-3211 or James.D.WEISGRAM@odot.state.or.us
ITS in the News - Noteworthy ITS news items
Welcome Aboard! Some of you may remember that Tony Owens was working with Jason Shaddix in Region 2 as a contractor to help with the ITS support coordinator's duties. Jason has since been promoted to a team lead position for the ITS support coordinators. Tony applied for and was accepted for the Region 2 ITS support cooridnator's position. He will be a helpful addition to Region 2 and the ITS Unit. Please congratulate Jason and Tony the next time you see them.
GM Wants Cars to Talk – To Each Other
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Link to story on The Car Connection:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News/GM_Wants_Cars_to_Talk__To_Each_Other.S173.A12568.html?srccd=de20070711
Tacoma Narrows BridgeTolls – Quick Fee, Long Record*
[TCN] Monday, June 18, 2007
Drivers' transponder data will stick around for years.
Link to story in The News-Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/front/topphoto/story/89812.html
It's Hard to Crash with This
Monday, May 21, 2007
Vehicle Infrastructure Integration demonstrated in Michigan.
Link to column in The Detroit Press:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070521/COL12/705210345/1007/NEWS05
Moving Forward with the NTOC Performance Measurement Initiative
May 9, 2007
Link to NTOC Talks Article:
http://www.ntoctalks.com/articles/performance.php
Road Warriors
Sunday April 29, 2007
Link to USNEWS.com:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070429/7gridlock.htm
Enabling Congestion Pricing in the US -
A Presentation by Jeffrey F. Paniati at the 2006 ITS World Congress
October 2006
Link to presentation:
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/speeches/itsworld_paniati06/index.htm
*These stories provided by Bernie Wagenblast and The Daily ITS news, in the Transportation Communications Newsletter. For a free subscription send an e-mail to transport-communications-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or contact the editor, Bernie Wagenblast, at i95berniew@aol.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Stay informed about ODOT ITS activities across the state.
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 ITS OREGON Meeting
The next ITS Oregon Meeting will be:
August 2007, Date TBD
Location:
Northwest Center for Engineering Science and Technology
(Engineering Building)
1930 SW Fourth Avenue, Room 315
Portland, OR 97201
http://itsoregon.org
Visit the ITS Oregon site for more information about training opportunities. Link to site: http://itsoregon.org/training/
ITS Oregon Special Date REMINDERS:
July 12th: In lieu of regular meeting, ITS Oregon will have an organizational meeting for VII demonstration (see below).
July 13th: Travel Time Reliability workshop at Metro.
July 18th: Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) demonstration.
July 23-25th: Regional ITS Architecture Use and Maintenance Training.
____________________________________________________________________
ITS Oregon invites people for Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Demonstration
July 18, 2007, Portland Expo Center
ITS Oregon is hosting a local demonstration at the Portland Expo Center of this new wave technology.
Link to further information:
http://itsoregon.org/2007/07/02/vehicle-infrastructure-integration-demonstration-coming-to-portland-on-july-18th/
____________________________________________________________________
Talking Technology and Transportation (T3) Webinar: "Developing a Regional Concept for Transportation Operations"
July 25, 2007 1:00–2:30 P.M. ET
All T3's are free of charge
Link to further information:
http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s070725_reg_concept.asp
____________________________________________________________________
Transportation Research Board
Workshops on Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance Systems (CICAS) and Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) and Vehicle-Infrastructure Cooperation Research Needs
DoubleTree Hotel, San Jose, California, July 26, 2007
For details on how to register for the meeting and to make a hotel reservation, visit the website below.
Workshops on CICAS & VII Research Needs Website
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Transit 511: International Best Practices Symposium
August 20-21, 2007 Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia , PA
Sponsored by the USDOT Joint Programs Office and the Federal Transit Administration.
Registration for this day and a half workshop is $75. For more information or to participant contact Tracy Andrle at 410-697-3071 or 511workshop@comcast.net.
Conference and hotel registration forms can be found on APTA's website http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/itsbest/ or contact Adam Martin at amartin@apta.com or phone 202-496-845. Hotel accommodations are available at a special rate until July 23, 2007.
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Association of Commuter Transportation 2007 International Conference
"Old Growth/New Growth: A Forest of Transportation Solutions"
September 9 - 12, 2007 Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Seattle, Washington
Prepare yourself for an informative, exciting full 3-day conference in Seattle. Yes, a full 3 days! During these 3 information-packed days, you'll have 24 breakout sessions to choose from...on hot topics such as clean air, construction mitigation, employer marketing, bicycle commuting, evaluation techniques, general marketing, incentives and passes, parking management, policy creation and implementation, research, and much, much more.
Link to web site with further information:
http://www.actweb.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=46402&orgId=asct
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Operations Academy Senior Management Program,
November 5-16, 2007
University of Maryland
University of Maryland Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) has announced the availability of a two-week, total immersion transportation management and operations Senior Management Program. Acceptance for the program is competitive, and requires the nomination of a local, State or Federal transportation agency. Nomination Forms are available at www.operationsacademy.org. It also requires a commitment on the part of those attending the program to satisfy the self-study requirements, and to spend two uninterrupted weeks participating in the program activities.
For additional information: www.operationsacademy.org
Contact: Kathleen Frankle, kfrankle@umd.edu
Phone: 410-414-2925
Link to site:
www.operationsacademy.org
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