Knowledge Resources

The cost to implement a multimodal trip planner can range from $138,000 to more than $4 million depending on the need to develop custom software and consolidate data feeds. Open source software and data feeds provided by ISPs can decrease costs.(May 2011 )

Evaluation of Arterial Travel Time Information System in Minneapolis suburb costs $180,000(October 2010)

The capital cost to centralize all real-time roadway traveler information to the TripCheck Travel Information Portal was estimated at $3 million.(06/01/2010)

Alaska's NewGen 511 Traveler Information System cost $440k to develop and $140k annually to operate.(April 2010)

Deployment of an Advanced Public Transit System (APTS) for a mid-size transit system costs $150,000.(July 2009)

In Nisqually Valley, Washington, an Ice Warning System consisting of a road weather information system (RWIS) station and closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera cost $165,000.(June 2009)

In Wenatchee, Washington, the construction of a Transportation Management Center (TMC) and the installation of the associated ITS field equipment cost $460,000.(June 2009)

In Washington State, the implementation of the SR 14 Traveler Information System cost $511,300(June 2009)

In Yakima, Washington, the deployment of a Traveler Information System cost $333,000.(June 2009)

Planning-level studies indicate that an effective combination of ICM strategies can be implemented for $7.5 Million per year (annualized capital and O&M).(September 2008)

From the 511 Deployment Coalition case study: total costs (to design, implement, and operate for one year) averaged $2.5 million among six statewide systems and $1.8 million among three metropolitan systems.(November 2006)

The Pennsylvania (PA) Turnpike Commission expanded its statewide advanced traveler information system (ATIS) to better inform motorists of traffic, weather, and emergency conditions along the PA Turnpike. The overall project cost was $8.2 million.(April 2006)

The cost of O&M at the Arizona TMC was estimated at $2 million per year.(January 2006)

The cost to enhance the Arizona regional, multi-modal 511 traveler information system was just under $1.5 million.(30 September 2005)

The annualized life-cycle costs for full ITS deployment and operations in Tucson were estimated at $72.1 million. (May 2005)

A modeling study evaluated the potential deployment of full ITS capabilities in Cincinnati. The annualized life-cycle cost was estimated at $98.2 million.(May 2005)

The annualized life-cycle costs for full ITS deployment and operations in Seattle were estimated at $132.1 million.(May 2005)

Sample costs collected by the 511 Deployment Coalition represent what deployers may encounter when planning or implementing a 511 system.(May 2004)

The cost to implement the pre-enhanced Arizona Department of Transportation 511 system was estimated at $355,000; operating costs for 2002 were estimated at $137,000.(17 February 2004)

Detailed costs of road weather information systems deployed at several sites north of Spokane, WA.(8 January 2004)

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) leased an automated work zone information system in West Memphis for $495,000 which was less than 4% of the total recontruction project cost. West Memphis is one of four locations highlighted in a cross cutting study.(November 2002)

First year funding for the Nebraska 511 traveler information system was $120,000; estimated annual operations and maintenance costs are $110,000.(December 2001/January 2002)

Costs to upgrade and redesign the Phoenix Metropolitan Model Deployment Initiative traveler information Web site was $135,782.(April 2000)

Multi-modal traveler information Website - Capital cost/unit - $34000 - O&M cost/unit - $3160(February 2009)

Interactive voice response (IVR) system - Capital cost/unit - $104000 - O&M cost/unit - $10160(February 2009)

Multi-modal traveler information Website - Capital cost/unit - $88000 - O&M cost/unit - $8320(February 2009)

Interactive voice response (IVR) system - Capital cost/unit - $104000 - O&M cost/unit - $10160(February 2009)

DSL Communications - Capital cost/unit - $4000 - O&M cost/unit - $300 - Lifetime - 5 years(7/5/2005)

Hardware/Software/Equipment for Traveler Information Dissemination - Capital cost/unit - $71000 - O&M cost/unit - $5000 - Lifetime - 7 years(7/5/2005)

Software for Traveler Information Dissemination - Capital cost/unit - $71000 - Lifetime - 7 years(7/5/2005)

Software Integration for Traveler Information Dissemination - Capital cost/unit - $128000 - Lifetime - 7 years(7/5/2005)

Software Upgrade for Interactive Information - Capital cost/unit - $413000 - Lifetime - 20 years(6/30/2004)

Personal travel assistant providing trips optimized by cost, time, user preference, calories, and carbon use changed the travel behaviors of 13 percent of users.(November 2017)

A typical signal timing project in Portland saves over 300 metric tons of CO2 annually per retimed traffic signal.(09/01/2013)

An adaptive signal timing system in Gresham, Oregon reduced average travel times by 10 percent.(09/01/2013)

Transit signal priority in the Portland metro area can reduce transit delay by 30 to 40 percent and improve travel times 2 to 16 percent.(09/01/2013)

84 percent of survey respondents found traveler information provided by WSDOT useful, with 95 percent saying it should continue to collect and distribute travel congestion information.(January 2013)

In St. Louis County, Missouri, full closure of portions of I-64 for two years allowed for an accelerated construction schedule, saving taxpayers between $93 million and $187 million.(November 2011)

A survey of travelers who used a multi-modal trip-planning website found that 40 percent of them decided to try at least one transit service that they do not normally use.(May 2011 )

Arterial Travel Time Information Systems provide accurate and useful travel time(October 2010)

New York State DOT TMC operators and New York State Thruway Authority staff were able to reduce traffic queues by 50 percent using vehicle probe data available through the I-95 Corridor Coalition.(August 12, 2010)

Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) strategies that promote integration among freeways, arterials, and transit systems can help balance traffic flow and enhance corridor performance; simulation models indicate benefit-to-cost ratios for combined strategies range from 7:1 to 25:1.(2009)

A personalized travel planning system helps commuters choose environmentally friendly routes and modes; reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent.(16-20 November 2008.)

Increasing integration between AVL systems, components, and interfaces has improved the ability of transit agencies to collect data on location and schedule adherence; support operational control, service restoration, and planning activities.(2008)

In 2006, improvements to Florida's SMART SunGuide Website increased hits to 16,778,000 from 115,000 hits recorded in 2005.(January 2007)

An automated work zone information system (AWIS) greatly reduced traffic demand through a highway work zone in California resulting reducing maximum average peak delay 50 percent more than expected.(22-26 January 2006)

An evaluation of the Arizona 511 telephone traveler information system found that more than 70 percent of users surveyed were satisfied with the enhanced content provided.(30 September 2005)

Dynamic outreach efforts in a construction workzone in Southern California reduce traffic volume by 20 percent and peak hour delay by 50 percent.(31 July 2005)

In the Washington DC metropolitan area, drivers who use route-specific travel time information instead of wide-area traffic advisories can improve on-time performance by 5 to 13 percent.(9-13 January 2005)

Deployment experiences document the importance of traveler information and list top sources of traveler information.(2005)

The Illinois DOT enhanced work zone safety on I-55 by deploying an automated traffic control system that posted traffic information and enforcement updates (number of citations issued) on dynamic message signs located upstream of the work zone.(October 2004)

The Illinois DOT indicated that an automated traffic control system deployed during the reconstruction of I-55 improved mobility by preventing severe congestion in the work zone. (October 2004)

In Southeast Pennsylvania, survey results indicated that users of the SmarTraveler website were more likely to use the service again compared to users of the SmarTraveler telephone service.(19-22 May 2003)

During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, a survey about the CommuterLink Web site showed that 98 percent of visitors and 97 percent of residents who used the Web site said it worked well for them(April 2003)

A simulation study in the Washington, DC area found that 40 percent of travelers who use pre-trip traveler information would save $60.00 or more per year as a result of fewer early and late arrivals.(12-16 January 2003)

A simulation study in the Washington, DC area found that regular users of pre trip traveler information reduced their frequency early and late arrivals by 56 and 52 percent, respectively.(12-16 January 2003)

TMC staff in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania found real-time traffic information useful and noted that it improved coverage for incident management.(5 September 2002)

A simulation study of existing ITS (traveler information, ramp metering, and DMS) on a Detroit freeway demonstrated how these technologies can increase average vehicle speed, decreased average trip time, and reduce commuter delay by as much as 22 percent.(July 2001)

A simulation study of existing ITS (traveler information, ramp metering, and DMS) on a Detroit freeway demonstrated how these technologies were beneficial to corridor capacity.(July 2001)

In the Washington DC region, a simulation study indicated that commuters who use real-time travel time information to plan routes and departure times during peak periods can improve on-time reliability by 5 to 16 percent.(January 2001)

In Arizona and Missouri a survey of tourists found that those who used advanced traveler information systems believed the information they received save them time.(30 June 2000)

Simulation results indicated that vehicle emissions could be reduced by two percent if arterial traffic flow data were included in the traveler information system in Seattle, Washington.(30 May 2000)

Modeling indicated that coordinating fixed signal timing plans along congested arterial corridors leading into Seattle, Washington, and incorporating arterial traffic flow data into the traveler information system would reduce vehicle delay by 7 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively.(30 May 2000)

A model determined that incorporating arterial traffic flow data into the traveler information system in Seattle, Washington could decrease the number of stops by 5.6 percent.(30 May 2000)

Users of the Advanced Traveler Information System in Seattle, Washington were satisfied with the information on freeway and transit conditions provided via Web sites and a Traffic TV service.(30 May 2000)

Modeling performed as part of an evaluation of nine ITS implementation projects in San Antonio, Texas indicated that users of an improved traveler information web site would receive annual benefits of a 5.4 percent reduction in delay.(May 2000)

In San Antonio, Texas, usage of a traveler information Web site increased at a rate of 19 percent per year and spiked during severe weather events.(May 2000)

Based on the survey results only 9 percent of households were aware of TravInfo, and less than 1 percent of the Bay area commuters who used traveler information used TravInfo.(25 April 2000)

In Phoenix, Arizona, an evaluation of website traveler information found that 16 percent of surveyed respondents thought the web site information was useful.(April 2000)

Features of Traffic and Transit Internet Sites(February 2000)

A simulation study indicated that vehicle throughput would increase if arterial data were integrated with freeway data in an Advanced Traveler Information System in Seattle, Washington. (September 1999)

A simulation study indicated that integrating traveler information with traffic and incident management systems in Seattle, Washington could reduce emissions by 1 to 3 percent, lower fuel consumption by 0.8 percent, and improve fuel economy by 1.3 percent.(September 1999)

A simulation study indicated that integrating traveler information with traffic and incident management systems in Seattle, Washington could diminish delay by 1 to 7 percent, reduce stops by about 5 percent, lower travel time variability by 2.5 percent, and improve trip time reliability by 1.2 percent.(September 1999)

In 1999, a study in Seattle, Washington indicated that participants who used traveler information devices including wrist watches, in-vehicle components, and portable computers found the information was useful for making travel decisions.(5 January 1999)

In 1995, analysis of the TravLink test in the Minneapolis area found that slightly more than one access per participant per week.(November 1995)

In Europe, ITS studies found customer satisfaction with traveler information delivered via portable electronic devices, public access terminals, Internet web sites, and in-vehicle navigation devices ranged from 50 to 95 percent. (1994-1998)

Provide commuters with predictive traffic measures to improve trip planning and reduce congestion during peak hours.(05/17/2019)

Provide trip itineraries in personalized traveler information platforms based around cost, time, and user preferences to influence travelers to change their behaviors.(November 2017)

Perform outreach to snowplow drivers to address privacy and distraction concerns prior to successful deployment of snowplow dash cam integration into 511.(10/01/2017)

A Smart City must address real-world challenges, not just deploy technology. (01/03/2017)

Future ICM systems will require new technical skill sets. Involve management across multiple levels to help agencies understand each other’s needs, capabilities, and priorities.(06/30/2015)

Motivating forces to cultivate a culture for Real Time Ridesharing, as well as experience in beta testing systems are necessary for the successful adoption of a Ridesharing program(04/01/2015)

Design a trip planning website to capture and convey real-world factors such as gas prices and congestion information.(May 2011 )

When implementing traveler information systems that promote voluntary changes in travel behavior, incorporate functions for feedback, advice, and action-planning.(16-20 November 2008.)

Use Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) to identify gaps, determine constraints, and invest in the best combination of Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) strategies.(September 2008)

Keep technical solutions open-ended in the early stages of an ITS research project, and follow a research oriented contract vehicle.(May 16, 2007)

Prepare in advance for severe weather by staffing enough snow plow operators and ensuring that public information systems will be updated with current weather and road conditions.(March 27, 2007 )

Prepare traveler information Web sites for high usage under emergency or disaster conditions.(6/1/2006)

Focus on usability when designing traffic information Web sites.(6/1/2006)

Assess what users want when developing a traffic information Web site.(6/1/2006)

Integrate traveler information Web site development with existing systems and other organizations.(6/1/2006)

Adopt best practices for integrating emergency information into Transportation Management Center (TMC) operations to improve performance and increase public mobility, safety and security.(2/28/2006)

Invest in research and development for emergency integration.(2/28/2006)

Extend the application of emergency integration best practices to further improve emergency operations.(2/28/2006)

Integrate weather information into Transportation Management Center (TMC) operations to enhance the ability of operators to manage traffic in a more responsive and effective way during weather events.(2/28/2006)

Provide drivers with sufficient managed lane information that can be easily disseminated and understood. (2005)

Use ITS to implement a reliable communications system in work zones.(1/1/2004)

Ensure initial and ongoing success of ITS deployments by providing sufficient start-up time, maintaining flexibility, and performing maintenance needs in-house.(1/1/2004)

Provide traveler information in rural areas to allow for good travel decisions in inclement weather and construction season.(November 2001)

Integrate market research in the planning process for consumer-oriented projects.(2001)

Identify methods to distribute automated vehicle identification tags to improve market penetration when collecting arterial travel speed information.(October 2000)

Consider reconfiguring and integrating existing roadway management IT systems whenever possible to save costs associated with implementing new systems.(10/1/2000)

Adjust the different expectations and motivations of public and private partners to prevent future delays.(12/1/1999)

Understand the market during the development of an Advanced Travel Information System (ATIS) to reduce project development uncertainty and produce a more functional end product.(10/19/1998)

Provide consistent and high-quality information to influence traveler behavior.(6/1/1998)