Federal regulations (reference 23 CFR 940) that are specifically related to ITS systems engineering can be summarized with definitions and requirements. The definition of ITS is “Electronics, communications, or information processing, used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system.” An ITS Project is defined as “Any project that in whole or in part funds the acquisition of technologies or systems of technologies that provide or significantly contribute to the provision of one or more ITS user services as defined in the National ITS Architecture.”
The regulations require the development of regional ITS architectures that can be used to plan the integration ITS deployments within a region and documentation of systems engineering processes relating to ITS projects.
On July 7, 2022, a memorandum was published implementing Section 11304 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), which directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidance for using existing flexibilities with respect to Systems Engineering Analyses described in 23 CFR part 940.
A regional ITS architecture is a framework for institutional agreement and technical integration for the region. The regional ITS architecture defines the links between the pieces of the system and the information that is exchanged on each connection. Over 300 regional ITS architectures have been developed so chances are good that you already have one in your region.
The federal regulations (reference 23CFR 940.9) require regional ITS architectures to include the following:
· Description of the region
· Stakeholders
· Operational concept (Roles & Responsibilities)
· System functional requirements
· Interface requirements
· ITS standards
· Agreements
· Sequence of projects
· Maintenance Plan
The Architecture Reference for Cooperative and Intelligent Transportation (ARC-IT) is used as a template to create regional ITS architectures that are tailored for a specific state, metropolitan area, or other region of interest (e.g., a major corridor or a National Park). ARC-IT provides the fundamental building blocks: the physical objects (subsystems and terminators), interfaces (as defined by the information flows), service packages, functional objects, and functional requirements that are selectively included in the regional ITS architecture and customized as necessary to fully reflect the envisioned regional transportation system.
The Regional Architecture Development for Intelligent Transportation (RAD-IT) software tool provides an easy way to personalize and customize ARC-IT for a specific region.
The federal regulations (reference 23CFR 940.11(c)) require the documentation of system engineering processes relating to ITS projects. The regulations define a systems engineering analysis or SEA for an ITS project as the following:
Although the language of the federal regulations states ”systems engineering analysis”, it could be better thought of as a “systems engineering approach” or “systems engineering processes”.
The Systems Engineering Tool for Intelligent Transportation (SET-IT) software tool provides extensive drawing capabilities to produce project architectures and support Concept of Operations and Requirements definition. SET-IT content is based on ARC-IT and is compatible with the RAD-IT software tool.
This memorandum implements Section 11304 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), which directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidance for using existing flexibilities with respect to Systems Engineering Analyses described in 23 CFR part 940. The goal is to avoid unnecessary burden on State and local governments, prevent unintentionally imposing requirements exceeding those outlined in law and regulation, and enhance the necessary engagement and collaboration between division staff and their counterparts in State and local agencies with respect to ITS projects. This memorandum may be found here: Information Memo - Systems Engineering for ITS Projects.
For More Information:
Document View includes a similar overview of the Systems Engineering Analysis requirements with some additional detail:
