How Do You Know When You Need ITS

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• How Do You Know When You Need ITS?

Tim Luttrell, P.E. SAIC Oak Ridge, TN
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Some Thoughts

• ITS is one tool there are others
• Do something to figure out the potential impacts
• Dont make the investment if you are uncertain
  about whether it will be needed

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The First Steps

• Analyze traffic patterns
• Define performance measures
• Gather and collect data
• Use modeling tools to help quantify the potential
  impacts
• Identify appropriate countermeasures

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Three Levels of Detail
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Rough Estimates

• Simple analysis is better than nothing
• Combine with historical perspectives
• Try to understand what will happen if you
  implement the TCP

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An Example of Rough Estimates
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Deterministic Model

• V4250
• Capacity1500
• But, Capacity is hard coded what can we do?

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Traffic Simulation Models

• The greatest level of detail
• Provides individual vehicle-to-vehicle level
  analysis
• Is more complex and can be more difficult
• Recommend picking a tool and sticking with it
• Use the model to determine potential impacts, and
  design your ITS accordingly

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Traffic Simulation Models
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Conclusions and Recommendations

• Pick a tool and develop a process
• Understand the potential impacts before you
  design your work zone ITS
• Set a clear goal for the ITS
• Understand the main parameters to adjust to allow
  the tool to work for you
• Just like you wont need ITS for every project,
  you also may not need to model every project