Regional ITS Architecture Definition
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have been defined as: "the application of advanced sensor, computer, electronics, and communication technologies and management strategies—in an integrated manner—to improve the safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system". This definition encompasses a broad array of systems and information processing and communications technologies. In order to fully incorporate ITS into the surface transportation network, ITS must be "mainstreamed" into the overall transportation planning and project development processes that exist in each state and metropolitan region of the country.
To support that effort a Regional ITS Architecture is developed as "a regional framework for ensuring institutional agreement and technical integration for the implementation of ITS projects or groups of projects". Regional ITS Architectures can be and have been developed and maintained by state departments of Transportation (DOTs) or by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) or Council of Governments (COGs) for a region, district, or state. The concept of a regional ITS architecture was first defined in 23 CFR 940 on Intelligent Transportation System Architecture and Standards. See "US DOT Policy on Regional ITS Architecture" below for more about the federal regulations dealing with ITS.
Click one of the links below to learn more about Regional ITS Architectures:
- Purpose – describes the purpose of a regional ITS architecture
- US DOT Policy – describes the regulations behind the establishment of architectures in the US and how they are used
- Components – contains all the components of a regional ITS architecture and how they are developed
- Approach – describes different approaches to developing a regional ITS architecture either as an update to an existing architecture or as a new development effort
Architecture Maintenance will describe the effort to maintain an architecture and how to develop an architecture maintenance plan.
Using a Regional ITS Architecture answers “How can a regional ITS architecture be used to support transportation planning, both long term planning and programming of transportation projects?” and “How can a regional ITS architecture and its tools be used to support ITS project development?” Another section describes project ITS architectures from both the perspective of a regional ITS architecture and as part of a systems engineering analysis.
