http://www.ntoctalks.com/ The NTOC Talks site is intended to provide information and resources to transportation practitioners, coalition members, and the general public on current news, upcoming meetings, and available products and documents. en-usWed, 28 Jul 2010 09:59:57 EDTimages/NTOC_logo.gif The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been changing the face of our nation—physically in terms of improvements to our infrastructure and economically by saving or creating tens of thousands of jobs. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been instrumental in ARRA's success by working with our state partners to beat Congress's deadline to obligate 100 percent of our Recovery Act funds by March 1, 2010. The FHWA Office of Operations recently performed an analysis on ARRA projects obligated through February 19, 2010 to determine the approximate ARRA investment level in ITS and transportation system management and operations projects. The results showed that nearly $600 million in ARRA funds were invested in 509 operations and ITS projects, with approximately half funding ITS projects and the other half funding traditional operational improvements across 41 States, plus Washington, DC. The categories used to define operations and ITS projects were: • Traffic Signalization projects (258 projects, $204 M) • Intersection geometric improvements (75 projects, $127 M) • Signs (36 projects, $40 M) • Pavement markings (60 projects, $30 M) • ITS field devices (80 projects, $192 M) Both the number of projects and total investment level in each category should be regarded as close approximations of actual investment levels. The top five States to use funding on operations and ITS projects were Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, and Tennessee. It is likely that ITS and operations played a larger role in the ARRA projects overall, as there was no method for capturing ITS and operations investments as part of larger projects. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=420 2010-07-28 09:59:57 Prepared by ITS America's Technical Forum on Sustainability, the report 'ITS Technology and Sustainable Transportation' looks at the role ITS can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The paper states, 'We believe that we have technology and solutions that can ease traffic flow and reduce GHG emissions, but to date we have neither articulated that message nor delivered it effectively. It is unfortunate but we are largely seen as a part of the climate change problem; not part of the climate change solution. However, ITS America believes that transportation technology can have a significant impact on a GHG reduction strategy.' To read the complete report, click on the link above. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=419 2010-07-28 09:59:23 To further implement the successful National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management (NUG) goals and practices, the I-95 Corridor Coalition, FHWA, and the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC) will host a national NUG Summit. The agenda will include such topics as NTIMC and NUG Progress, Incident Management Best Practices, TIM Self Assessment, TIM Training, Towing and TIM, and interdisciplinary incident management issues and best practices for the resolution of those issues. The three major objectives of the NUG are Responder Safety, Safe, Quick Clearance and Prompt, Reliable Interoperable Communications. The NUG Summit will convene on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. at The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, MD (near BWI/Baltimore Airport), and will adjourn at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. There will also be opportunity to join the September 21 segment of the NUG Summit virtually via the Internet. There will be no registration fee for the NUG Summit or fee to participate through Internet access. Federal, State, Regional and Local Traffic Incident Responders should plan to attend to improve the way we manage traffic incidents and to increase safety and efficiency by working toward the implementation of the National Unified Goal's three goals and 18 strategies. Information will soon be available regarding agenda details, registration information, and Maritime Institute Hotel Room block and other information. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=418 2010-07-28 09:58:28 The 2010 version of the Traffic Incident Management Handbook (TIM) includes the latest advances in TIM programs and practices across the country, and offers practitioners insights into the latest innovations in TIM tools and technologies. The 2010 TIM Handbook also features a parallel Web-based version that can be conveniently bookmarked, browsed, or keyword-searched for quick reference. This version supersedes the Freeway Incident Management Handbook published by FHWA in 1991 and the Traffic Incident Management Handbook published in 2000. (Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-10-013) http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=417 2010-07-28 09:57:49 Have you missed a recent NTOC Talking Operations Web Cast? Visit the Web Cast Archives page through the link above to access recordings, podcasts, and transcripts from these free, informative Web casts. Materials from the June 24 Web cast on the template for submitting dynamic mobility applications using Intellidrive are now online. If you missed the July 7 Talking Operations Webinar, 'How to Implement a Congestion Pricing Project,' the archive materials will also be available later today on the NTOC Web Site. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=416 2010-07-14 13:58:15 TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) has an opening for a Senior Program Officer with knowledge in highway operations and/or traffic management and experience related to the implementation of innovative technologies or practices within transportation-related agencies or enterprises. Experience in research management is also desired. SHRP 2 is a congressionally authorized research program that addresses critically needed research in highway transportation including highway safety, infrastructure renewal, and congestion relief. This Senior Program Officer will be responsible for managing multiple and/or highly complex research and innovation programs and projects. They will develop program and project strategies, budgets, and resource requirements; and ensure that programs and projects meet their stated objectives. They will also act as a liaison between and coordinate with internal and external groups, organizations, and agencies. A listing of minimum requirements, full job duties, and application information for the opening is available on the National Academies' Office of Human Resources Web page. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=415 2010-07-14 13:56:57 The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report that explores the results of a December 8, 2009, peer exchange on current climate change adaptation activities and strategic needs. The report summarizes participant presentations and the key issues that emerged during the event. The exchanged was convened with the support of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Click on the link below to read the report. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=414 2010-07-14 13:56:14 This Webinar, taking place July 7, 2010, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT, will examine two different models for deploying congestion pricing projects. Lisa Castaneda, P.E., of the Harris County (TX) Toll Road Authority will discuss the new I-10/Katy Freeway. The Katy Toll way/Managed Lanes is the first multi-lane electronic tollway in the Nation with full design standards, and it was developed through a public-private partnership. Additionally, Paul A. Lampley, P.E., of Florida DOT District Four, will discuss how Availability Payments were used to finance the upgrade of a 10.5-mile segment of I-595 between I-75/Sawgrass Expressway and I-95 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Similar in concept to pass-through tolls, availability payments are a means of compensating a private concessionaire for its responsibility to design, construct, operate, and/or maintain a tolled or non-tolled roadway for a set period of time. For information about other upcoming Webinars, please visit the Web Casts page on this site. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=413 2010-07-07 18:45:06 This position is located in the Federal Highway Administration Resource Center and is established to serve as the technical authority in the operations analysis of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Freight and Transportation Management Strategies. The primary function of this position is to advance the application of analytical methods to ensure efficient operational performance of the transportation system. This includes the identification and application of techniques and tools to analyze systems operations and traffic flow. The areas of emphasis will draw upon the skill sets associated with traffic forecasting, dynamic traffic assignment, highway capacity and quality of flow, simulation and other complementary traffic analysis techniques. This position is responsible for supporting national policy formulation, national problem solving, and developing, promoting, and demonstrating state-of-the-art technology within the fields of transportation management. To see the full announcement and to apply, click on the link below. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=412 2010-06-29 18:43:35 The FY 2010 Appropriations Act appropriated funds for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER II Discretionary Grants). Funds for the TIGER II Discretionary Grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region. TIGER II also allows U.S. DOT to make Planning Grants for activities related to the planning, preparation or design of eligible projects, including transportation corridors or regional transportation systems. Join Beth Osborne, US Department of Transportation Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, along with representatives of the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and Maritime Administration as they discuss the program, selection criteria, evaluations, and application process for TIGER II Planning Grants. If U.S. DOT and HUD move forward with a joint solicitation, a representative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development will join this presentation. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=411 2010-06-29 18:42:43 July 21, 2010 8:30 am – 12:00 pm Hilton Chicago Northbrook, Chicago, Illinois The ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. DOT is holding an ITS Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Workshop on July 21, 2010 in Chicago, IL in conjunction with the IntelliDriveSM Safety Workshop. This workshop is designed to gather input from stakeholders and users of the ITS PCB Program. Activities will include: • Engaging the audience in a discussion of how the PCB program can assist in attaining the goals of the new ITS Strategic Research Plan (View the ITS Strategic Plan and related documentation - http://www.its.dot.gov/strat_plan/index.htm) • Gathering stakeholder input on learning needs • Discussing purpose and goals of the ITS PCB Program from 2011-2014 This workshop will be a mix of presentation and discussion with the goal of exploring the next set of program strategies that best meet existing and future needs. This workshop is free of charge. To register, complete the form through the link below and e-mail it to bwhitty@itsa.org, or fax it to 202-484-3483. Mark the form, 'Attending ITS Professional Capacity Building Workshop.' Please contact Mac Lister at (202) 366-0375 or mac.lister@dot.gov if you have any questions. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=410 2010-06-29 18:36:00 The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that explores regional information on projected climate change effects that are most relevant to the U.S. highway system. The report is designed to help inform assessments of the risks and vulnerabilities facing the current transportation system, and to assist in planning and project development activities. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=409 2010-06-16 12:53:27 As part of the IntelliDriveSM Dynamic Mobility Applications Program, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is soliciting ideas for transformative applications that would leverage IntelliDriveSM data and communications capabilities to improve the performance of the transportation system and to improve the nature, accuracy, precision and/or speed of dynamic decision making by transportation system managers and travelers. Dynamic Mobility Applications are real-time monitoring and management tools enabling transportation system efficiency and mobility between and across modes (of freight, transit, and passenger vehicle). This is not a request for proposals. A template has been created for stakeholders to submit ideas for development of future transformative applications to improve Intelligent Transportation Systems. The blank template, instructions and a sample completed template for reference is available online through the link below. U.S. DOT would like to hear from you about how wireless applications linking travelers, vehicles, transportation management systems and other infrastructure can provide safe, reliable and secure transport of people and goods. Any and all suggestions would be helpful to this program. Share your ideas by completing the Dynamic Mobility Applications Program template by July 31, 2010. They can be submitted online or sent to DMA-Template@dot.gov. Also, see the notice below about the upcoming Webinar to introduce and explain the template. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=408 2010-06-16 12:50:06 As part of the IntelliDriveSM Dynamic Mobility Applications Program, the U.S. DOT is soliciting ideas of transformative applications that would use IntelliDriveSM –its data, communications, devices, infrastructure – to improve transportation system performance and the nature, accuracy, precision or speed of dynamic decision making by both system managers and system users. A template has been developed as an aid to the stakeholders and others that wish to submit ideas, and provide a level of consistency for the submittals. This Webinar, on June 24 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT, will introduce and describe the template, its availability as well as availability of related resources, and the planned next steps. Presenter: Robert Rupert, FHWA Office of Operations, and Kate Hartman, ITS-JPO. To register, please click on the link above. To learn more about IntelliDriveSM, please visit the link below. http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=407 2010-06-16 12:49:27 Dear Colleagues: The ITS Cost Database (see link below) provides both unit costs (Capital, O&M, and Lifetime) for individual ITS components, and System Cost examples of different ITS system deployments. These costs are available to help state and local agencies plan and program new projects, perform cost benefit analyses, and compare their experiences with others. In 2010, the ITS/JPO Evaluation Program is conducting a review and update of the Costs database in order to collect and enter new sources of cost information and to account for new/emerging services and technologies. The Evaluation Program is also interested in user feedback and input on ways to make the information and the ITS Costs web site more relevant and usable in meeting their needs. Consequently, we are requesting: Any information that you may have on sources and contacts for both new unit cost data and/or system cost estimates ITS unit cost or system cost data. Examples of information that would be useful: Databases maintained by states or local agencies used for independent cost estimates State contract schedules, actual bids and proposals Cost/benefit studies and plans and evaluation studies where costs are documented Project progress or evaluation reports, research reports, or other documents that contain recent information on ITS costs at the system or component level. Costs may be actual, bid, estimated, or forecast. They may also be contained in larger construction or operations projects. Contact information for follow through, clarification, or additional data on any specific sources provided above. We are also interested in hearing your feedback, and welcome your input. If you know of others that may have ITS cost information, please let them know about this request. Please send responses or questions regarding this request to ITSCosts@Noblis.org. Feel free to contact Cheryl Lowrance (202-863-2986, Cheryl.Lowrance@noblis.org ) or Jim Bunch (202-863-2984, JABunch@noblis.org ) of Noblis for additional clarification, questions, or comments on the ITS Costs Database. If you have questions regarding this request for information or the ITS Evaluation Program please contact me at 202-366-4374 (James.Pol@dot.gov). http://ntoctalks.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=406 2010-06-10 13:11:19