ITS and Innovation Technology

State of the Art

The ITS systems are used to automatically collect and analyze before, during, and after traffic flows in the work zone; provide accurate real-time information automatically to motorists and to the construction team; enforce speed; as well as safely guide motorists through the work zone.

To achieve state-of-the-art ITS and innovative technology, transportation agencies would need to:

• Enhance the software and communication modules in existing portable traffic management systems, in order to provide accurate real-time traffic information automatically to motorists and the construction team.
  
• Utilize portable or fixed traffic management systems to collect and disseminate real-time information to motorists in all work zones:
  

  - On high-speed, high-volume facilities

  - Involving lane and ramp closures

  - Located in severely restricted areas

  - Involving major changes to existing traffic patterns

• Develop effective tools and techniques for safely and efficiently merging traffic approaching a work zone with lane closures.
  
• Develop effective tools, techniques, and enforcement for slowing down traffic approaching work zones, as well as maintaining a safe speed through work zones.
  
• Develop automated/robotic equipment to perform high-exposure, short-term maintenance operations.
  
• Develop a positive barrier system, with a gawk screen, that provides lateral protection to workers performing mobile construction and maintenance operations.
  
• Develop a cost-effective, positive barrier system that provides lateral protection to workers performing static short-term maintenance operations.
  
• Develop erasable, temporary pavement markings that do not produce a shadow/ghost when removed.
  
• Develop a cost-effective, quick way to remove, cover, and/or obliterate existing pavement markings to prevent a conflict with new markings; and/or do not produce a shadow or ghost.
  
• Showcase success stories.