TxDOT Policy Statement 2-98

Subject: ITS Information Sharing

Introduction

Current Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology makes it possible for TxDOT to capture transportation related information through the department's transportation management centers.

Policy

TxDOT will share this transportation information with both the public and private sectors in order to increase the mobility, safety, and efficiency of the transportation system.

Responsibilities

Districts shall make all transportation related information available, including video images from closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, current transportation data existing in on-line data bases, and archived historical data.

Principles

In the implementation of this information sharing policy, the following principles shall be emphasized and employed:

• TxDOT shall retain intellectual property rights to all data gathered at TxDOT's expense.
• TxDOT shall reserve the right to assess fees or negotiate for other benefits for data and information made available.
• TxDOT shall continuously examine practices and policies with regard to information sharing in other cities, states, and countries. TxDOT shall work to improve compatibility in information sharing in accordance with other states' policies.
• TxDOT shall share transportation information with other government agencies and the private sector, and shall share the information to the greatest extent possible for the increased benefit of all.
• TxDOT shall provide specific information on a partnership basis, reserving the right to negotiate for benefits, either monetary or in-kind, in return for the information.
• All formal means of sharing information with both public and private sectors shall be through binding written agreements or contracts (not, for example, a memorandum of understanding).
• Private sector information systems providers shall be encouraged to add value to TxDOT information resources.
• Selected transportation management center information shall be available on the Internet when practical. Typically this would include traveler information such as traffic flow data maps, highway incidents, road closures, and video images from CCTV.
• All information viewed by the public shall be presented in a similar statewide standardized presentation format. The standard format will be developed by the districts with support and oversight from the Traffic Operations Division and the Information Systems Division.

Compliance Requirements

District Engineers will be responsible for compliance, and the Traffic Operations Division (TRF) will monitor for compliance.

TxDOT information sharing standards are in the early stages of development. However, this policy shall be followed unless an exception has been approved by TRF.

Manual

This policy will be incorporated into the Traffic Management Volume of the Traffic Operations Manual.

Reference/Authority

Transportation Code, §201.101

Why Policy Is Needed

This policy is needed to ensure that districts have guidance for the release of transportation information, there is uniformity in the manner in which information sharing is conducted at TxDOT transportation management centers, traveler information is made available to the public, and information is presented in a standard format.

Approved:             Date: 10/5/98

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