Ensure adequate time and resources are available at the end of the creation of the Regional ITS Strategic Plan for ongoing stakeholder outreach.

National experience gaining stakeholder acceptance of Regional ITS Strategic Plans.

Date Posted
09/16/2005
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Identifier
2005-L00080

Best Practices of Rural and Statewide ITS Strategic Planning

Summary Information

This document distills best practices in preparation of rural and statewide ITS deployment plans from 12 in-depth case studies and 18 sites surveyed by written questionnaire. The ultimate goal is to identify factors that should be considered by agencies undertaking such planning projects. The report also documents the benefits of this planning so that these benefits can encourage future ITS strategic planning efforts nationwide.

This document addresses institutional rather than technical issues with emphasis on the complex decision-making process required for ITS strategic planning. This process includes agency interactions, processes and procedures, organizational structures, and the level of institutional involvement.

  • The document uses the case studies/surveys to summarize the following aspects of deployment, and lays out guidance highlights (lessons learned) addressing many of these items:
  • The ITS strategic planning process, including regional ITS architectures
  • Goals and objectives of creating an ITS strategic plan
  • Effective stakeholder participation
  • Best practices for outreach, education, and marketing
  • Funding opportunities and sources, including public/private partnerships
  • Operations, maintenance, and management considerations
  • Costs of planning
  • Potential benefits


The case studies themselves appear in appendices.

This document, along with the Rural Toolbox (FHWA-OP-01-030), forms the rural ITS best practices series.

Lessons Learned

Ensure adequate time and resources are available at the end of the creation of the Regional ITS Strategic Plan for ongoing stakeholder outreach

 

  • Once the ITS Strategic Plan is complete, it is necessary to gain further acceptance from elected officials, travelers, and other community members. Adequate time needs to be reserved at the end-of-the-project to make presentations to Agency officials (e.g., Transportation Technical Advisory Committees (TTACs), County Board of Supervisors, etc.) in order to ensure program approvals and obtain their continued support. In addition, stakeholders should distribute ITS newsletters, brochures, and videos as an effective tool for ITS education/awareness.



    These actions can improve stakeholder buy-in and customer satisfaction.

 

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