Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
Mike Wildgen, Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun |
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FROM: |
Chuck Soules |
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Date: |
January 19, 2006 |
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RE: |
ITS Information Requested by Commissioner Rundle |
On December 20, 2005 Commissioner Rundle requested information on central coordination of traffic signals, or Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). ITS is the application of advanced sensor, computer, electronics and communications technologies, and management strategies providing the traveler (motorist) information in an integrated manner to increase the safety and efficiency of the transportation system. ITS is being used to improve transportation problems such as safety, inefficiency or reduced mobility.
An ITS Set-Aside Funding Program was created in 1999 in order to meet the funding needs of ITS/Technology related projects in Kansas that might not be able to secure funding through normal funding mechanisms. The program is managed by the ITS Unit in the KDOT Bureau of Transportation/Planning. Projects defined in the statewide plan are eligible for this funding program. Uses of the funding is open to projects that apply technology such as advanced sensor, computer, electronics and communications and management strategies to increase the safety and efficiency of the transportation system. The funding was made available to state agencies in FY 2000 and local agencies in FY 2001 and FY 2002.
In 2000 the Kansas Department of Transportation completed the Kansas Statewide Intelligence Transportation System Plan http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/burovr/its/ksitsp.asp
This plan identified several elements including:
v State to state coordination – the KC Scout Project was identified with KDOT working closely with MODOT in the design and operation of a Freeway Management System.
v Commercial vehicle operations including communications of/between enforcement agencies from state to state.
v Advance traveler information systems.
v Traffic Operations Center in Kansas City
v ITS Heartland, which is the regional Chapter of ITS America, includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.
Five program areas were identified: Priority Corridors – I-35 and I-70; Commercial Vehicle Operations, Maintenance, Traffic Operations, and Rural Safety and Mobility. (Attached is a list of projects identified in the State plan.)
Several years ago KDOT installed fiber optics between Topeka and another KDOT office between Lawrence and Kansas City. At that time KDOT and the City negotiated that KDOT could route their line from the KTA south on N. 2nd Street, west on 6th Street, south on Iowa and east on 23rd Street. KDOT also installed a conduit for the City to use for the installation of fiber optic cable for communications between traffic signals. Recently, conduit was also installed on West 6th Street from Wakarusa to K-10 (map attached). Lawrence has applied for ITS funding in 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004 for the installation of fiber optic cable modems and central control hardware to develop a closed-loop traffic signal system to monitor and optimize traffic flow along 23rd Street, 6th Street and Iowa Street, but have not been approved/funded. These projects have also been requested in previous year CIP project requests. (Application requests attached)
Mike Floberg, P.E. is the State ITS Engineer at KDOT. Mr. Floberg has visited/presented the ITS Program with the Lawrence Douglas County Planning Commission and has offered to attend a City Commission meeting if requested.
The application cycle will begin sometime in March and project requests will be due a couple months later.
Alternatively, if this is a priority for the City we could place ITS/Signal Coordination on our Five-Year Plan with KDOT. This program is funded with STP funds; they, too, will be requesting projects in the next couple months for projects in 2009. Our current Five-Year Plan is attached.
If additional information is needed, please let me know.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
CFS/je
Attachment: Additional Information