Plan for logistical and operational issues prior to project implementation.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s experience implementing ITS support equipment and technologies.

Date Posted
08/09/2008
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Identifier
2008-L00442

State Patrol Mobile Data Communications Network: Final Report and Local Evaluation Phase III, Report 2

Summary Information

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has implemented statewide digital microwave backbone infrastructure that is used to transport voice and data information throughout the State of Wisconsin. The Mobile Data Communications Network (MDCN) allows public safety personnel access to information such as routine daily voice communications, incident voice communications, driver license, license plate, and criminal history information.

The Wisconsin Mobile Data Communications Network (MDCN) consists of 69 tower sites connected together by digital microwave. Due to the uneven terrain in the State of Wisconsin it is impossible to get full coverage with the present number of sites; some limited hand-held two-way radio coverage is needed to reach full coverage. A preliminary engineering study found that a minimum of 60 additional tower sites, 20 transmitter/receiver and 40 receiver only sites, are needed to provide complete coverage. In 2004, WisDOT upgraded and expanded the MDCN into 12 priority “filler sites”, sites located in rural areas that did not have reasonable mobile data and voice communication coverage, in order to improve voice communications for rural public safety agencies. Because of the network expansion, dozens of small rural communities now have the opportunity to access the statewide voice and mobile data backbone network.

Lessons Learned

Agencies will often encounter logistical and operational issues while implementing ITS support equipment and technologies. While some issues, such as weather, are outside an agency’s control, by properly preparing for non-technical challenges prior to project deployment issues that affect the cost and schedule of the project can be minimized.



The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) faced a number of challenges in the implementation of ITS support equipment and technologies for the State Patrol Mobile Data Communications Network expansion. Based on its experience, WisDOT offered the following lessons learned:

  • Ensure compliance with zoning ordinances and codes early in the project. The construction or expansion of tower sites requires coordination with zoning committees and land owners. All applicable permits should be secured in the early stages of the project to avoid delays.
  • Document problems with vendors and distributors. WisDOT faced numerous delays due to vendor performance issues, such as the wrong equipment being shipped and equipment not meeting the specifications that were outlined in the bid request. In order to improve the selection of quality vendors, all vendor related problems should be well documented. When selecting a vendor, their performance on previous projects should be scrutinized, and if there is documented proof that a vendor provided poor quality of service, the vendor should be eliminated from the bid process.
  • Be aware of appropriate "ship to" address. Many buildings in Wisconsin have a different mailing address than their physical street address. Staff need to be sure that they use the correct address for package deliveries so as to avoid unnecessary delays.
  • Anticipate and plan for weather-related delays. When developing the project schedule, be cognizant of how local weather conditions can affect the schedule of outdoor work.

The WisDOT experience with deploying the ITS support equipment and technologies provides several useful lessons to the logistical issues typical of ITS projects. While common, the logistical issues addressed above can often be overlooked when focusing on the more technical aspects of a project; however, these procedural issues can have significant impacts on a project’s budget and schedule. Anticipating and planning for such problems prior to project deployment can help agencies minimize such set backs, leading to a smooth implementation of ITS projects.

System Engineering Elements

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