The Partnership participates in numerous ITS related planning projects in the region including the following:

• California Statewide ITS Deployment Plan
• USDOT ITS Program Planning Program
• ITS America ATIS Planning Program
• Southern California Priority Corridor Deployment Plan
• OCTA ITS Management Plan
• LA/Ventura Management Plan

Currently in development are several initiatives to fund accelerated deployment of ITS and ATIS through an appropriations request for ITS Integration Funds. The 2001 Regional Transportation Plan includes:

• ITS System Integration projects valued at $304 million
• Rapid Bus projects with significant ITS sub system components valued at $671 million
• Smart Streets Projects with significant ITS elements valued at $902 million

The Plan includes increased funding for operations and maintenance of the existing transportation network, as well as identification of desirable Advanced Transportation Management Systems (ATMS) improvements.

Desired ATMS improvements include:

• expanded and upgraded ramp metering of freeways to maintain traffic flows,
• improved detection of traffic conditions on freeways and arterials,
• improved detection and surveillance of incidents and accidents on arterials and freeways, and
• computer-based traffic signal systems that can reduce unnecessary stops at traffic lights, increase trip speed and increase the carrying capacity of arterial streets.

Riverside ITS Transit Project
This project involves The Partnership/SCAG, the Riverside County Transportation Commission(RCTC), the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) and SunLine Transit. The Project’s purpose is to develop and implement an Advanced Transit Management System incorporating Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) and upgraded communications to fully deploy "smart" technologies on RTA and SunLine Transit buses. The goals are: 1) to provide transit operators the capability to manage their respective operations in "real time," and 2) to allow "real time" passenger and customer information to be displayed through a variety of media.

This is one of ten projects chosen by the USDOT Joint Program Offices for national evaluation. Project design is under contract to Meyer Mohaddes Associates.

Transit Management Infrastructure Project
In addition to the Riverside ITS Transit Project, The Partnership/SCAG is working with a number of the Region's transit operators to develop and coordinate the implementation of ITS transit management systems. LACMTA has released an RFP for a major transit management system upgrade. Orange County Transportation Authority is in the process of installing ATMS for transit and paratransit operations in Orange County. This technology allow operators to monitor and maintain system performance, automate data collection for administrative and planning purposes, and provide the public with "real time" transit information.

LA-Ventura ATIS and Mode Shift Projects
In cooperation with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency (LACMTA), Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), Caltrans, Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles, The Partnership/SCAG is participating in the LA-Ventura ATIS and Mode Shift Projects. These projects are aimed at creating a Showcase-compatible Advanced Traveler Information System which will increase the availability of traveler information in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Regional Smart Card Project
The Partnership/SCAG is engaged with a consortium of Transportation Commissions and Transit Operators examining the feasibility of regional Smart Cards as a transit fare payment media. These Smart Cards could also be used for toll roads, toll bridges, parking, and for general purchases or social service benefits. Anaheim Resort Transit System is assessing the feasibility of using Smart Cards for the Smart Shuttle service they intend to operate around the Convention Center and the Disney complex.

511 Planning Program
The Partnership/SCAG is participating in local and statewide efforts to assess the feasibility, needs, and strategies for 511 Transportation Information Services. Preliminary assessments have focused on 511 availability and costs for conversion of existing services e.g. (1-800 Commute.)

Smart Streets/Corridors/ATMS Regional Planning
SCAG is in the process of updating the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The Draft Plan includes increased funding for operations and maintenance of the existing transportation network, as well as identification of desirable ITS Advanced Transportation Management Systems (ATMS) improvements.

Desired ATMS improvements include:

• expanded and upgraded ramp metering of freeways to maintain traffic flows,
• improved detection of traffic conditions on freeways and arterials,
• improved detection and surveillance of incidents and accidents on arterials and freeways, and
• computer-based traffic signal systems that can reduce unnecessary stops at traffic lights, increase trip speed and increase the carrying capacity of arterial streets.

The cities of Los Angeles, Pasadena, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine have extensive investments in such ATMS technologies. Additional systems are under development in Fontana/Ontario, Huntington Beach, Glendale and the South Bay cities.