Lesson
To avoid project implementation delays and unanticipated costs, perform a thorough review of the existing technologies during the planning phase of a comprehensive transit ITS deployment.
Washoe County’s experience implementing a comprehensive transit ITS program.
May 2010
Reno; Nevada; United States
Background (Show)
Lesson Learned
Agencies shall benefit from conducting a thorough review of its existing ITS technologies during the planning phase. In this regard, the lessons learned from the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County’s transit ITS planning and deployment are presented below.
- Perform a thorough review of agency's existing technologies during the planning phase of a comprehensive transit ITS deployment. During the planning process, a transit agency should conduct a thorough review of its existing hardware, software and networks. If a detailed inventory does not exist, one should be made that documents the capabilities of all systems in terms of processor speeds, radio and wireless communications capabilities, network configurations, storage capacities and backup processes. Performing this review will allow your agency to be better able to identify systems that may need to be replaced due to lack of technical support or outdated technologies. It will also help identify the limitations of your system that may impact how ITS is implemented, or what will be needed to fully utilize ITS.
- Avoid delays in deployment and unanticipated cost escalation by having a full knowledge of hardware and software needs during technology review. . A detailed technology review is valuable information to provide to potential ITS contractors. They will be able to identify how their systems can work with your existing technologies, and help you identify changes necessary that will be above and beyond the cost of their systems. RTC procured all-new hardware with its transit ITS implementation, and that simplified the process by eliminating interfacing with legacy equipment. Some software used by the agency was not as compatible with the proposed ITS as expected. In order to fully utilize the transit ITS, RTC had to procure new paratransit scheduling and fixed-route scheduling systems. The need for these applications was not determined until transit ITS implementation had begun, and resulted in delays and additional unanticipated costs to RTC.
Lesson Categories
Policy & Planning > Planning
Design & Deployment > Requirements & Design
States
Countries
Focus Areas
None defined
Keywords
automated vehicle location, computer aided dispatch, automatic vehicle locator, AVL, CAD, AVL/CAD
Lesson ID: 2011-00606
Lesson Comments
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