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Access Type

Open Access

Document Type

thesis

Degree Program

Civil Engineering

Degree Type

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (M.S.C.E.)

Year Degree Awarded

2009

Month Degree Awarded

September

Keywords

ITS, Evaluation Methodology, Transportation

Abstract

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can include multiple technologies and applications combined to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation system or network. These applications are deployed with the anticipation that the desired project goals and objectives established by multiple stakeholders will be achieved. Once a system is deployed, the project goals and objectives should be evaluated. The evaluation can provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback to assess the impacts associated with the investment in building, designing and implementing these systems.

This research includes a methodology to evaluate large scale ITS infrastructure projects using the Interstate 91 (I-91) ITS Project as a case study. The methodology developed includes a review of literature, a clear definition of project goals, objectives and intended outcomes, the development of hypotheses for project outcomes, specific measures of effectiveness, pre and post-data collection methods and criterion to measure the success rate of achieving the intended objective.

The following recommendations should be considered by the I-91 ITS Project Team as next steps in conducting an ITS evaluation; identify and prioritize the goals and objective areas, develop a multi-phase evaluation approach, identify existing data sources of pre-deployment data, identify missing data requirements and document the existing communication protocol prior to deployment. Such a large scale evaluation requires an extensive level of effort, and priority should be given to developing a multi-phase approach. This research may be also used towards the development of an Evaluation Plan which is recommended as a component of the six step process outlined in the Evaluation Guidelines, from the United States Department of Transportation.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/983825

First Advisor

John Collura

COinS