Caltrans Communication Plan

Caltrans has invested significant resources in technology to help manage the State transportation system.  Some of these investments include the following ITS technology: ramp metering systems, loop detectors, closed circuit television cameras, weather stations and changeable message signs.  

A strong communication infrastructure is required to allow communication at various levels. The ITS devices communicate with their local Transportation Management Center (TMC).   Each TMC in turn communicates with other TMCs and sends data to a central repository.  Operators also need a strong communication infrasructure to control ITS tools and transmit data to the TMC and the archived database. 

Currently, Caltrans relies on an outdated and inefficient communication system. Caltrans has substantial existing investments in older technology, such as 30-year-old loop detectors. CCIT is helping Caltrans create a long-term cohesive and efficient communications infrastructure.  This planning and analysis will reduce costs and support new applications.  To create a workable plan, CCIT analyzed Caltrans’ technological investments for their advantages and disadvantages, identified the requirement of Transportation Management System (TMS) such as business goals, applications, supported field elements and related requirements, operation environments and communication technology trend, identified the TMS communication requirements such as functional requirements, performance requirements and operational requirements, and formulated a cohesive communication network architecture including urban and rural network architecture and network alternatives.

CCIT held a statewide stakeholder meeting to brainstorm and refine the communication plan. It was aimed to analyze existing as well as emerging technologies to find the best fit between costs, user functional requirements and reliability.  CCIT is supported by Accelero Systems Inc to formulate the long-term cohesive and efficient communication infrastructure.