Anticipate and plan for potential institutional barriers, especially in multi-agency deployments.

Alaska DOT&PF’s experience integrating a common technology into its ITS and IT plans.

Date Posted
09/16/2005
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Identifier
2005-L00065

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities: Land Mobile Radio System Phase I Pilot Report

Summary Information

In July 2001, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) developed a plan to integrate land mobile radio into its Statewide ITS Deployment Plan and the State Information Technology Plan. DOT&PF determined that the Project 25, an integrated voice and data of the Alaska Land Mobile Radio project, offered the best solution for its voice and data communications needs. This federal, state and local government partnership project provided the funding mechanism to deploy the network of repeaters, gateways and switchers necessary to provide seamless statewide radio operations.

DOT&PF conducted a needs assessment and received an FHWA ITS earmark. In partnership with Motorola, DOT&PF developed software to move data in the background and allow computing devices connected to the radio system to use the radio as if it were a modem. In conjunction with the FHWA, Alaska Department of Administration, and Motorola, DOT&PF beta-tested the software. The performance of the software was impressive. DOT&PF asked Motorola to make minor adjustments to the software and have the production version ready for release in December 2003.

Lessons learned include the need to manage for deployment delays due to institutional barriers (especially in a multiagency situation), or to weather and the physical environment.

Lessons Learned

Anticipate and plan for potential institutional barriers to project deployment.

Institutional issues can become barriers to progress. Each organization has to overcome the natural desire to continue the status quo. Not all members in the organization will want to embrace new technologies. Change management then becomes the most dynamic of the variables the project manager will have to control. Disseminate information frequently through newsletters, presentations and training. Information dissemination is the best control mechanism for change management. In addition, ITS projects are relatively new to administrators. An administration change in the middle of a multi-year ITS project can delay the schedule while the new administration feels out project worthiness and defines priorities. This process can add months to the timeline especially when multiple organizations are involved.

Anticipate risks associated with having multiple partners. One risk is that not all partners will secure funding in a timely manner and deployment plans will change due to unfounded requirements. If one organization loses or fails to obtain funding, the entire project can be delayed or jeopardized. Use creative thinking to managing this risk and employ a team effort to encourage other organizations to provide funding to keep the project on schedule.

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