 October 2007 - ODOT ITS NEWSLETTER - VOL. 1, NO. 8
We hope you enjoy the 2007 Fall edition of ITS News, a quarterly publication produced by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Office of Maintenance and Operations, 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.
Jim Weisgram is retiring after 30 years. Reflections on his career and ITS for the future.
Jim Weisgram of Transportaion Applications Development (TAD) is retiring in December after 30 years. Congratulations! ITS news took some time with him and reflected on Jim’s career and future goals.
ITS: Jim, thanks for meeting with us. Wow, 30 years. Congratulations! Could you give our readers a summary of your career up to and including your work here with ITS?
JW: I started out in 1977, in Portland on Frank Bresnan’s “location crew”, where I worked in the office and field survey crew as an Engineering Aide. Frank and several crew members retired shortly after I arrived (I doubt there was any connection to my arrival) and E.J. Dunn replaced him. This was back when ODOT was just starting to rehire people from layoffs in the years before, and we were building up essentially a new crew.
I also worked on John Howard’s bridge crew when the I-205 project was underway, doing office calculations, survey, and inspection work. And worked on Chuck Lobaugh’s construction crew as office manager.
From there on I have worked in Information Systems. I did some software programming, as well as training and support of engineering software. This was back when ODOT was first starting to get PC’s in the late 1980’s. I also processed earthwork field notes from construction crews, sent them to keypunch operators to enter the data, then ran the earthwork quantities. That was *not* an enjoyable part of the job. So I converted ODOT’s mainframe program that did earthwork calculations to the PC. The construction crews just about immediately stopped sending the books in for keypunch, which was a nice surprise. I guess that worked out well for them.
I did a lot of training on software such as McAuto COGO and Roads, then was transferred to the CAD group where I taught classes about, and did support on, MicroStation (CAD/drafting) and InRoads (road design) and other various IS duties. Eventually I became team lead of the Engineering Automation Support Team (EAST) until I was transferred to TAD’s ITS team, a couple of years ago. I have been responsible for maintenance of the ITS system, which means do enhancements of existing systems, add new features, fix system problems, etc. Also working on getting the systems more reliable and position us to provide 24x7 support.
ITS: The person filling your shoes is going to have their hands full. Are there plans for your replacement to work with you before you depart?
JW: Right now Patrick Hoke is working with me to learn what I have been doing. TAD is recruiting a new person and that recruitment just hit the streets. I understand several people have expressed interest in the job.
ITS: What has been the most rewarding work for you during your career?
JW: There’s always varies and interesting work in Information Systems, but of all the various things I’ve done I think I enjoyed conducting training classes the most.
ITS: Regarding ITS related technologies, what would you say are the “up and coming technologies” and which are within the “soon to be upgraded” categories? More specifically, here at ODOT and the ITS unit, which projects do you see coming down the road for us when you’re enjoying a piña colada on a beach somewhere?
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JW: Here’s something that will be done before I leave (I leave at the end of the year, my last day is December 31). We’ve been dealing with various versions of the Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) software since I’ve been working with ITS, and that software has always been problematic. We are just now working on deploying a new version of HAR software and it looks to be much better. I think all of us working on that effort feel the vendor got it right this time and it is going to be a lot easier to deal with this product both for users and for Information Systems.
The biggest thing coming out in the next few months is the Transportation Operations Center System (TOCS), which is going to be a much more capable software toolset for the TOCs and the Portland TMOC.
ITS: With regard to the longer term technology trends, what do you see for ITS here in Oregon?
JW: More and more sharing and distribution of traffic information between ODOT and other partners. More devices such as weather stations, cameras, VMS signs, etc. Expansion of the use of existing technologies such as Global Positioning (GPS) and Geographic Information (GIS).
I expect better computer networking to connect to field devices and gather information more reliably. Wireless networking will be a big part of that but will also make new things possible that I can’t guess at.
Most of the companies that make ITS devices provide the software that let’s us use those devices. The quality of that software isn’t always up to the highest standards of functionality, reliability and ease of use. As the ITS industry matures, I expect to see that improve.
ITS: I know that one of your hobbies is flying single engine prop planes. Is this a hobby you’ll be enjoying during retirement? What are your plans or do you have any?
JW: Oh yes, I expect to keep flying as long as I can keep my medical certificate valid. And I’d like to have a little more time for woodworking. But I plan to continue working and am talking to a few companies that I’ve had my eye on. I haven’t closed a deal yet so I expect to be talking to a lot more in the next month.
ITS: Thanks Jim for this interview and we all want to wish you the very best for your upcoming adventures. Thanks again!
JW: 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:
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New Camera: ORE 126 at Cushman east of Florence, now has a camera on www.tripcheck.com!
Jim Basile, Project Manager with TAD, here with Cable TV system in backdrop.
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Updated TripCheck to allow for mobile/PDA users. Currently, this project is in production. PDA/Mobile users are automatically re-directed to a condensed mobile version of the web site.
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Connected a new flood sensor in Florence to the Scanweb database and included this into RWIS notifications.
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There are 2 new cameras on TripCheck in southwest region, Modoc Point (US97) and Doak Mountain (ORE140).
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Updated code changes to Cable TV systems to be prepaired for winter operations and upcoming winter season.
What to look for:
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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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There are 5 new cameras on US26 coming soon from the Portland Traffic Management Operations Center, TMOC.
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ODOT has finalized an agreement with TrafficLand.com. Among the benefits for our users, they will be delivering live streaming images back to ODOT servers for use on www.TripCheck.com! This means in the near future TripCheck will have a live streaming video option for the Portland metro area cameras.
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There is a new camera installed at US20 at Tombstone. This will be coming to TripCheck (see draft image below) in the next month, before the major winter weather gets to us.
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.
TripCheck Mobile web page.
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TripCheck Mobile Web Site Launched on August 29, 2007 -
The TripCheck web site enhanced its web presence in late August of 2007 by launching a reformatted version of the web site for use with mobile devices. The mobile web site, known as "TripCheck Mobile", offers a menu driven listing that provides users information for incidents, alerts, road closures, travel services, camera, and weather conditions - all formatted for optimum presentation on a mobile device, whether a cell phone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
The web site automatically detects mobile devices that access TripCheck.com and redirects the user to the mobile site.
Mobile options include the ability to place calls for travel services (hotels, restaurants, attractions) and trucking information directly with a single click. Another feature, exclusive to TripCheck Mobile, is the ability to view highway camera images that are within 3 miles of a specific incident.
The URL for the official ODOT press release is here:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/nr07083001.shtml
Visitwww.Tripcheck.com/mobile and give us your feedback.
ITS Regional Asset Map created for May 2007 - UPDATE
ITS Asset Map (statewide) Draft May 2007
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As a follow-up to last quarter's release of the ITS Asset Map for 2007, each region has requested a regional map be created of the ITS assets. These maps were easy to reproduce, now that Latitude/Longitude data regarding each device is in a normalized database and captured to 5 decimal places.
To see a more detailed look at the statewide map, please click on this link to the PDF version, where you are able to zoom in and out.
Region 1 map
Region 2 map
Region 3 map
Region 4 map
Region 5 map
Contact Jon Lazarus, ITS Project Manager, Jon.M.Lazarus@odot.state.or.us, at (503) 986-6586 for more information.
ITS Oregon Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) demonstration July 18, 2007, Portland Expo Center - submission by Jon Makler, ITS Oregon
More than fifty people braved the unusual July rain to see the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration demonstration, hosted by ITS Oregon on Wednesday. About fifteen people came from the Institute of Transportation Engineers Conference being held in downtown Portland. Portland Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams, Metro Council President David Bragdon, and Metro Councilor Rod Park were also there. In addition, staff from the Columbia River Crossing project and Metro attended. We had good media coverage and already there have been stories in The Oregonian, the Daily Journal of Commerce and on 1190 KEX. Thanks to all of those who made it happen, including TriMet, ODOT, and ITS Oregon’s volunteer squad.
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
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The TOC system manager has approved all user interface specifications that describe all screens, business rules and reports for release 1.0.
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Completed construction and unit testing of the GIS map-based automated location functions for resolving incidents and events to a specific geographic location. This is the first of 16 development iterations planned for release 1.0.
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Completed development and installation of the automated communications messaging components between ODOT and Oregon State Police (OSP). This will enable TOC operators to continue to communicate electronically in real-time with OSP dispatchers. ODOT and OSP are currently conducting unit and integration testing.
PLANNED FOR NEXT PERIOD:
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Continuing development on the Event Management module that will enable ODOT to track and manage highway incident responses across multiple operations centers and agencies.
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Continuing development on the Resource Management module that will enable TOC operators to manage and track ODOT, state and county resources to a range of event types, such as traffic accidents, hazardous spills, motor vehicle assistance calls.
Background:
Currently, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) information is relayed from OSP or other ODOT Transportation Operations Centers to ODOT’s dispatchers and they, in-turn, make notifications to ODOT staff and 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.
The project is shifting focus from the screen design to component level design and development. Development of this system has been divided into a series of 16 development groups organized around the functionality as defined by the business rules. ODOT has completed the first two development groups identified by the accomplishments section. Current design and development activities center around managing events and the resources called to respond to the events.
Contact Kelle Forbes, Kelle.Forbes@odot.state.or.us, or (503) 986-6568 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:What is the cookie name on my computer to save my custom cams page for TripCheck?
We've had a few folks write in about cleaning their cache and removing cookies, but wanted to know the name of the cookie that TripCheck adds (at user's request) to their computer, so they would know not to delete it.
Let's first start with some definitions. Thanks to Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org), their first paragraph of the definitions of a cookie and cache are:
"HTTP cookies, sometimes known as web cookies or just cookies, are parcels of text sent by a server to a web browser and then sent back unchanged by the browser each time it accesses that server. HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, tracking, and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences and the contents of their electronic shopping carts. The term "cookie" is derived from "magic cookie," a well-known concept in unix computing which inspired both the idea and the name of HTTP cookies."
"A CPU cache is a cache used by the central processing unit of a computer to reduce the average time to access memory. The cache is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of the data from the most frequently used main memory locations. As long as most memory accesses are to cached memory locations, the average latency of memory accesses will be closer to the cache latency than to the latency of main memory."
Given these definitions, we get a better understanding of how they work on and with our computers. Now, not all computers allow cookies to be installed on their machine. For the ones that do, unfortunately it is not a straight-forward answer. There are no common names for the cookie based on operating system type and various types of versions published throughout the years. What you will need to do is go into the Cookies folder on your computer and look for a cookie with "tripcheck" or "www.tripcheck.com" as part of the name listed in the folder. The cookie with the tripcheck address will be the one you want. For Microsoft Windows users, you should be able to use Windows Explorer and search for a folder called "Cookies". This should be under your "C:" drive.
Your computer names a cookie combining two names. The first portion of the name is the computer's name. The second part should be the website name that you visited. In some cases, the web master of the web site installing the cookie does not name the cookie the same as the web site. An example could be something simple like web name: www.Hewlett-Packard.com with a cookie name: jenny@www.hp.com.txt . Usually, reputable companies will keep these two names the same or similar; however, there are not always reputable companies on the web. The simple fact is that this portion of the name is up to the web master of the web site you visited, who writes the cookie for you to install.
The first portion of the cookie name comes from the computer in which the cookie is installed. Sometimes computers have not been named by the user, in which it defaults to the manufacturer's name. An example of this cookie file name with a default computer name, who visited www.tripcheck.com is: Dell8500@www.TripCheck.com[1].txt
As a note and follow-up question/answer on this topic: What does the TripCheck cookie do and can I enjoy TripCheck cameras without installing this cookie?
TripCheck has only one place where a cookie could be installed. That is in the custom cameras section (http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/CCentry.asp) of the web site. Under this section, you are able to enter up to 10 camera names from across the state (and some from within California and Vancouver) to display. Once you have selected a group of cameras to view there is a save button on the web page. If you have not already installed the cookie, please follow the instructions TripCheck provides to allow adding a cookie. Once you've installed a cookie, you simply give that group of cameras a name and click 'save'. The name of the group of cameras appears on the left hand navigation and will be there the next time you visit this page. The TripCheck cookie stores those selections of camera names and the group name you provided in the text file (known as the cookie). When your computer visits the web site again, it already has a number of cameras and group name you provided to load up ready for you to view again! The best part is that those images are cached and forced to refresh every time you return, so you'll see updated images every time you close and re-open the page (or click refresh).
Here are some instructions using Internet Explorer to save custom cams page without using the cookie:
1. Go to Custom Cams Page.
2. Select the cameras you want. Click view.
3. Click save and our system will ask if you want to install a cookie on your computer. If you don't mind, click yes. If you don't want cookie(s) on your computer select no.
4. Go to tool bar and select "favorites" at the very top of the bar
5. Then select "add to favorites"
6. Then name the set of cams you have just selected in the yellow box above the actual camera images. Example: “Portland cams”
7. Click "Save"
To test if it worked:
8. Get out of Explorer.
9. Go back to Explorer and hit favorites and it should be at the bottom of the list.
10. Go up to "tools" select "internet options" and select "delete cookies".
11. Go back to "favorites" and see if "Portland cams" is there, which it should be.
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 126 @ Cushman - Camera screen shot now on TripCheck
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. The project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction to be complete in February 2008.
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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 complete.
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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.
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TripCheck image of Tombstone camera on US 20 (to be added soon)
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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 December 2007.
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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 December 2007.
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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). The project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction being completed by August 2008.
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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. The project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction being completed by December 2007.
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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. Project is currently under construction. Anticipate construction being completed by November 2007.
Select projects in design include the following:
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TripCheck Mobile Screen shot for Portland SpeedMap
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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 February 2008 bid opening with construction and installation completed in summer 2008.
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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 design is complete. Anticipate a December 2007 bid opening.
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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.
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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.
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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 designed. Anticipate a spring 2008 bid opening.
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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 design is complete. Anticipate a winter 2007 bid opening.
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Area 1 information and warning signs. This project proposes to install a Road and Weather Information Station on the Megler Bridge and will upgrade and add a camera to the existing Bradley RWIS station. The project is currently in design. Anticipate a spring 2008 bid opening.
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ORE 213 & US 26 2007 Urban ITS corridor. This project details the installation of sixteen VMS signs, and communications infrastructure to connect the signs to existing infrastructure along ORE 213 and US 26. This project is expected to provide for better mobility, safety and driver trip planning during incidents/inclement weather situations by providing real time traffic conditions information from the Agency Traffic Management Operations Centers (TMOC) (in Portland) to drivers. The project is currently under design. Anticipate a June 2008 bid opening.
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 3rd quarter of 2007 are:
 838,163 visits per month**
5,263,127 page views per month**
31,655,079 hits per month**
This quarter last year (3rd Quarter 2006) TripCheck.com had an average of 706,442 visits per month; 7,680,343 page views per month, and 27,306,589 hits per month.
The phone system (including 511 calls) for this quarter-period is:
30,056 calls in July
27,888 calls in August
26,820 calls in September
The average for this period is 28,255 calls per month. The average for this quarter last year was 35,175 calls.
For the Record -
The highest overall average monthly visits for TripCheck (2006) is 1,399,099 visits. The highest overall average monthly hits for TripCheck (2006) is 63,312,124 hits. 2007 is looking to exceed these numbers.
TripCheck monthly record for visits: January 2004 with 3,241,411 visits.
TripCheck monthly record for hits: November 2006 with 157,963,702 hits.
On average (using visits) TripCheck is growing at 19% annually.
ITS phone systems (511 and 1-800-977-ODOT calls) monthly call record: January 2004 with 507,303 calls (note overall peak day was on 1/6/2004 with 60,369*^ 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.
*^Record ITS phone system call day is a calculated value.
Green Light Metrics -
The Motor Carrier Transportation Division continues to reduce its costs to maintain the 22 Green Light weigh station preclearance systems located around the state. A recent renegotiation of the maintenance contract with systems designer International Road Dynamics (IRD -- Saskatoon, Canada) reduced that cost to less than $100,000 in the upcoming state fiscal year. This was possible because the Division’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Specialist, David Fifer, is proficient at repairing Green Light systems and the Division has now hired a Civil Engineering Specialist, Matt Knight, to also help with maintenance duties. In past years, the contract with IRD represented the lion’s share of Green Light upkeep costs. There are other unavoidable costs involved in parts and traffic control. Now expenditures in 2007-08 are estimated to total less than $190,000.
Here’s a breakdown of Green Light maintenance costs in recent years:
2004-2005 -- $584,465
2005-2006 -- $341,088
2006-2007 -- $278,133
2007-2008 -- < $190,000
Green Light sites precleared trucks 385,043 times in the 3rd quarter 2007, a record total for a three-month period. The system is on pace to preclear trucks 1.5 million times this year.
Visit the Green Light Web site for more information -- http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/GREEN.shtml
Trucking Online Metrics -
A total of 13,273 companies are currently signed up for Trucking Online, including 3,967 based in Oregon. There are about 23,000 companies with trucks registered in Oregon and now the ones doing business online include 66% of those based in another state or Canada and 44% of those based in Oregon.
From January 2003 through September 2007, trucking companies and members of the public used Trucking Online to complete 1,165,833 transactions or record inquiries that formerly required a phone call, fax, mail delivery or field office visit.
In the major categories of online activity, there has recently been an incremental increase in the number of trip permits purchased, weight-mile tax reports and payments made, weigh station records checked, and safety inspection records checked. The Truck Weight Analysis feature that was added early this year continues to be popular. It was used 3,883 times in the most recent three-month period. Insurance inquiries have dropped off because of the federal preemption of states' ability to require interstate carriers to file proof of insurance.
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.
July 1 - September 30, 2007
During July-September 2007, the ITS maintenance unit received 88 new requests for work. We also closed 82 requests for work, of which 7 were for projects or maintenance projects, 17 were small enhancement requests, and 58 were for system repairs or small services.
A sampling of the work done in this period includes:
Steve Hall- Contractor to help with ITS improvements and camera services. Welcome aboard!
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· A large portion of the past 3 months involved the working on the TripCheck Mobile project, a new feature in TripCheck that supports portable devices such as cell phones, Blackberries, etc.
· We hired a new contract developer, Steve Hall, to work on ITS system improvements, beginning with Camera Services, which processes images for TripCheck and other uses.
· We added new positions, such as the Area Planner position, and wildcard search features to Onramp, and other improvements and bug fixes.
· We connected a new flood sensor in
Florence
to Scanweb and RWIS Notifications.
· We developed the CrewLogger application, for tracking who is on/off duty on maintenance crews.
· We developed software to obtain images from a new type of camera.
· We working on getting a new version of software for controlling Highway Advisory Radio up and running before winter weather hits. This will be deployed in October.
· We have been getting prepared for the TOPOFF 4 exercise in October, which will use HTCRS and a test version of TripCheck.com to monitor road conditions during a simulated emergency.
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
ITS America's weekly Ebriefing
Thursday, October 10, 2007
Link to stories (member sign in required):
http://www.itsa.org/weekly_ebriefing.html
NTOC releases the 2007 Traffic signals Report Card
Thursday, October 10, 2007 (NTOC)
Link to story in NTOC Talks:
http://www.ntoctalks.com/articles/reportcard.php
TTI 2007 Urban Mobility Report Released
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 (NTOC)
Link to story in TTI:
http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums/
New and Improved: ITS Applications Overview
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 (JPO)
Link to story in ITS, JPO, US Dept of Transportation:
http://www.itsoverview.its.dot.gov
ITS Lesson of the Month
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 (JPO)
Link to story in ITS, JPO, US Dept of Transportation:
http://www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/DisplayXOTM?OpenForm&LOTM^LOTM
New U.S. DOT Rule Allows States Flexibility to Build Roads and Bridges Faster
August 29, 2007 (FHWA)
Link to press release in FHWA:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0714.htm
14th World Congress on ITS Opens in Beijing*
[TCN] Friday, October 12, 2007
Link to story and video report on China Central Television:
http://www.cctv.com/program/bizchina/20071012/103363.shtml
An Alternative Perspective on VII*
[TCN] Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Link to paper from Northeastern University:
http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/pdf/Alternative%20Perspectives%20on%20VII.pdf
Feds tab I-5 as 'Corridor of the Future'
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Link to Portland Business Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/09/10/daily13.html
Minute-by-Minute Minnesota DOT Cameras After Collapse*
[TCN] Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Link to story and video report on WCCO-TV:
http://wcco.com/bridgecollapse/local_story_219000719.html
Google Maps Now Factors Current Conditions to Drive Times*
[TCN] Friday, August 3, 2007
Link to story in PC World:
http://blogs.business2.com/utilitybelt/2007/08/google-maps-now.html
Link to additional information from Google:
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-long-will-it-take-at-rush-hour.html
*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
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Stay informed about ODOT ITS activities across the state.
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 ITS OREGON Meeting
The next ITS Oregon Meeting will be:
October 19, 2007 9am - 11am
Location: Kittelson Associates
610 SW Alder Street Suite 700
Portland, OR 97201
http://itsoregon.org/2007/09/27/next-meeting-101907/
To participate by conference call, please email maklerj@metro.dst.or.us for dial-in information
General ITS Oregon link:http://itsoregon.org
Visit the ITS Oregon site for more information about training opportunities. Link to site: http://itsoregon.org/training/
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Webinar: Broadband Wireless Networks & Emergency Response Crisis - Lessons Learned from the Minneapolis Bridge Collapse - October 25
http://w2i.com/events/schedule/event_overview/p/eventId_40/id_145
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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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Northwest Transportation Conference,
February 5-6-7, 2008
Oregon State University
CH2M-Hill Alumni Center
Corvallis, Oregon
The theme is designed to address innovations that help us to maintain and improve transportation system service levels in an era of constrained funding and limited resources. In line with that theme, there will be sessions on transportation growth management, getting more capacity out of existing infrastructure, smart infrastructure investments, as well as long life and recycled materials. We hope to recruit nationally recognized keynote speakers to address these topics.
Draft program (topics and speakers to be announced at a later date):
Session 1: Environmental Benefits of ITS Applications
Session 2: New System Operations Concepts
Session 3: Traveler Information Systems
Session 4: Using ITS to Improve Safety
Session 5: Managing Traffic Congestion
For additional information:
Contact: Barney Jones, Chair
Link to site:
http://kiewit.oregonstate.edu/nwtc/
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National Rural ITS Conference,
August 2009
Seaside, Oregon
ITS Oregon was awarede the right to host the National Rural ITS Conference in 2009! More details will unfold, but we do know the venue will be in Seaside, Oregon. Congratulations to ITS Oregon!
Link to site:
http://kiewit.oregonstate.edu/nwtc/
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