Knowledge Resources

Use the systems goal/objectives as the initial source of desired system functionality and then use concepts in the National ITS Architecture to develop appropriate ITS projects.

The region should use the system goals/objectives as the initial source of desired system functionality. Through an iterative process, stakeholders can develop the state's/region's fundamental system functional requirements by breaking down previously documented system goals and objectives. These fundamental system functional requirements should then be allocated to functional areas necessary to support the system.

One of the first steps is to identify the Urban and Rural ITS functions to incorporate in the region/state. With stakeholder involvement, the planners should define what the system should do, performing requirements, and who is responsible for making it all work. Information for this "concept-of-operations" can be drawn from material developed as part of the National ITS Architecture and enhanced with additional information developed locally by stakeholders and/or consultant support.

The next step is to make the transition from Market Packages to ITS Projects by identifying initial ITS project elements that cover specific geographic areas, determining specific location(s) for deployment, and assigning Agency roles/responsibilities (e.g., procurement, deployment, O&M, etc.). At this stage, the planners should begin to consider technology options and start to identify concrete project implementation time frames (i.e., short-, medium-, long-term).

Stakeholders should relate the ITS projects back to the needs/problems and goals/objectives identified earlier in the process to make sure that the ITS Strategic assessment is still on-track. As appropriate, it is recommended that ITS projects be defined early in the planning process to keep stakeholders actively engaged.