Planning for ITS: A Guide to Incorporating Technology into Transportation Planning and Programming

Technologies of varying levels of complexity have been utilized in California state and regional transportation planning environment for decades. The development and expansion of ITS have reached such a point that the emphasis of planning is now on systems integration and communication connection.  A Guidance document is currently being developed to provide a prescriptive approach to considering and including technology planning into the greater body of the transportation planning process.

This document proposes that to effectively integrate ITS, each step of the planning process must acknowledge existing ITS plans and resources to consider technology options, so that potential advanced technology solutions are not overlooked. The transportation planning process studied is based on Caltrans’ policies. The entire process is influenced by State level planning with policy documents as the outcome.  The Guidance generally divides the complex planning process into the following six topics:

1. Policy and State-Level Planning
2. Regional Level Planning
3. Advance Planning
4. State Highway Operations and Protection Plan (SHOPP)
5. Programming
6. Systems Engineering Process and Technology Selection

The planning process flows from general to specific with outputs becoming the inputs for the next steps, although many steps overlap and iterate back and forth. The readers will be led through the transportation planning process and shown the opportunities to take advantages of technology application. These opportunities are highlighted as ITS Checkpoints to remind the readers where and how to consider the usability of technology in each specific situation.

In addition, the Guidance provides comprehensive references to numerous important planning documents to facilitate planners in locating ITS related policies and strategies. A practical sample is also designed to illustrate how a complex transportation project can benefit from careful planning opened to ITS solutions through its lifecycle in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Download the final document of Planning for ITS: A Guide to Incorporating Technology into Transportation Planning and Programming