June 21, 2007

City Commission

Douglas County Commission

Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission

RE:      Lawrence-Douglas County Regional Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)           Systems Architecture and Deployment Plan

Dear Commissioners:

The City of Lawrence, Douglas County, and the Planning Commission (MPO) are developing a Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture and Deployment Plan for the Lawrence-Douglas County Region.  We have hired Kimley-Horn and Associates to develop this plan.  ITS technologies are used to improve the safety and increase the efficiency of the transportation system.  Some common examples of ITS technologies are detailed on the enclosed ITS information sheet.

As a stakeholder in the transportation system, your input is extremely valuable.  The architecture and deployment plan will serve as a roadmap for the planning and deployment of ITS projects in the Lawrence-Douglas County Region and will allow the Region to be eligible for federal funding of future ITS projects.

A presentation for the City/County/Planning Commissions will be held at the Planning Commission mid-month meeting on Wednesday, July 11, at 7:30 a.m. in the City Commission Room, City Hall.  The presentation will provide information about ITS and discuss the process for development of the architecture and deployment plan.  Later on July 11, 2007 (1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.) a kick-off workshop will be held for representatives (stakeholders) from our community, including emergency services, police and sheriff offices, city and county staff,  and the school district.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

Enclosure