November 20, 2006
The Metropolitan Mobility the Smart Way report prepared by Jon Makler, Oregon ITS member, hit the Portland streets in a big way on October 26th. Nearly 100 Portland-area elected officials, legislators, and executive level transportation professionals throughout the state and community members attended the Oregon ITS sponsored breakfast meeting held at the Oregon Convention Center.
- Gail Achterman, Oregon Transportation Commissioner, who moderated, said the purpose of the event was two-fold:
- “To increase the awareness and understanding among the region’s decision makers about intelligent transportation systems (ITS); and
- “To focus attention on the benefits of working collaboratively amongst local, regional and the state transportation partners to address growing congestion.”
- Rick Capka, Federal Highway Administrator said Oregon was known for innovation having been the first state in 1919 to use a fuel tax as a means of revenue. The tax was one cent per gallon and has not grown significantly to keep pace with the growing transportation needs.
- Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance helped the audience understand the monetary impacts of congestion on the region citing ‘The Cost of Congestion” study.
- Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) wowed the audience with her long list of ITS applications highlight TripCheck, Project Green Light, and the ITS Laboratory at Portland State University (PSU).
- Dr. Robert Bertini with PSU explained the partnership research role the new Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC) plays in the state.
- City Commissioner Sam Adams soundly illustrated that we can do better, highlighting PDOT’s “Autopsy of an Incident” an effort on better understanding where improvements can be made to incident response thus reducing traveler delays.
- Fred Hansen, the General Manager of TriMet and avid transit rider gave examples of many efficiency gains in TriMet’s public transportation system noting that time savings has translated to cost savings through a reduction in the number of fleet needed.
- Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder challenged the audience to continue the good work and advances in ITS and carrying on the mission of making people understand that investments in technology are worthwhile.
A copy of the Final Report, Executive Summary, and Fact Sheets are available on-line on Metro’s Web site.
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Posted by hau
November 17, 2006
Set your calendars! The next ITS Oregon meeting is Thursday, December 14 from 9 am to 11 am at David Evans and Associates.
David Evans and Associates
5th Floor Conference Room
2100 SW River Parkway
Portland, OR 97201
Free parking is available for meeting attendees at the DEA parking lot located east of the Marriott Residence Inn. Please contact Orlena Chiu at (503) 499-0425 for further questions or if you’d like to be on the agenda.
Hope to see you there!
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Posted by hau
November 14, 2006
The 2007 Traffic Signal Operation Self Assessment and 2007 National Report Card are part of this continuing national effort to bring more attention to the need for additional investment in traffic signal operations. Traffic signal systems are historically under funded and one of the first areas to be cut in tight budget times. And yet, investment in traffic signal operations is one of the most cost effective means to improve transportation system operation. The 2007 Traffic Signal Operation Self Assessment is intended for any agency with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of traffic signals and can be completed in about one hour with input from key staff responsible for traffic signal operations. No data collection is required. The 2007 self assessment has been updated to reflect comments received on the previous version. The results of the self assessment will provide for some comparison to the results of the previous version, both for individual agencies and at the national level.Everything you need to complete the self assessment is available at http://www.ite.org/selfassessment. The self assessment has two purposes. First, it gives agencies a benchmark to help understand opportunities for improving your own policies and practices. Second, for agencies that choose to participate, the results of the self assessment will be used (anonymously) in the 2007 National Traffic Signal Report Card. The results will become part of the national media event designed to focus attention on the need for more resources for traffic signal operations. The 2007 National Traffic Signal Report Card results are planned for release in late summer or early fall of 2007. No agency’s individual results will be discernible from the national report card results.
For inclusion in the 2007 National Traffic Signal Report Card, complete and return your agency’s self assessment by December 29, 2006. Agencies providing self assessment results by December 29 will receive:
- Certificate of completion;
- Final report on the National Traffic Signal Report Card;
- Press kit for conducting your local press event (including: background information and graphics designed for the press, summary of national results, fill-in-the-blank templates for your agency’s results, suggestions on conducting your local press event); and
- Traffic Signal Audit Guide
The 2007 Traffic Signal Self Assessment was developed and is managed by participating members of the NTOC including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Public Works Association (APWA), ITS
America, International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
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Posted by ordivits
