A REGIONAL INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) ARCHITECTURE FOR THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA

TRANSCOM (Transportation Operations Coordinating Committee), a coalition of 14 transportation and public safety agencies in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region, has been pursuing an integrated, multimodal, region-wide approach to transportation management and traveler information since its inception in 1986. Most of the member agencies are currently implementing Intelligent Transportation Systems. This paper discusses the recommended regional ITS architecture for the New York metropolitan area. Primary functions of the network include clearinghouse of real-time traveler information covering all critical routes and modes, and regional coordination support between agencies and police during major incidents and events. Specific attributes and hardware/software elements include regional database and link-node model, workstations with a graphical user interface, sharing of full-motion video, automated interfaces with agency ITS-base systems, and communications network. The architecture is currently being implemented. The paper also describes the process by which regional architecture was developed and, ultimately, unanimously approved by the TRANSCOM member agencies. These procedural elements included initially defining the term architecture in a manner to which all the agencies could relate, in-depth interviews to identify areas of consensus regarding regional functions and network requirements, a series of reports and workshops to discuss alternative configurations, and coordination with the I-95 Corridor Coalition to ensure that economies-of-scale were achieved.