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Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Bay Area ITS Architecture
Frequently Asked Questions

General Architecture Questions

How do I identify if my project is in the Bay Area ITS Architecture?
Projects may be addressed in the architecture directly by name or incorporated indirectly in terms of functionality, data sharing or computer connections, stakeholder agencies’ roles and responsibilities or through other means.

The Bay Area ITS Architecture is project-based. You can determine if your specific project is already included by searching for it by Project Sponsor or by Category in the “How do I Find My Project” section of the Architecture. If your project is not included by name, you can submit it for consideration to the Architecture Maintenance Team for inclusion to the Architecture using the “Send Updates” button. If your project is not included in the Architecture specifically, and you do not submit it to the Maintenance Team, it may still be included generically. This is because there are representative projects, which are projects that are either not assigned to a specific stakeholder or are not a separately identified project, but are either existing or planned deployments in the region. The representative projects are found in the “How do I Find My Project” section of the web page.

If your project was conceived or included at the tail end of the architecture’s development (fall 2007) or later, it is either on a “waiting list” to be included in the next update of the document or it is not currently represented. To check the list of addition/change requests that have been submitted, click here.

How do I add a new project to or change an existing project in the Bay Area ITS Architecture?
If your project is not currently included in the Bay Area ITS Architecture, it can be added by submitting information about the project using the addition/change request form. Please make sure to include contact information so that additional information about the project can be collected if needed. If additional information or documentation is available describing the project (such as the Concept of Operations, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) description, a funding application describing the project, etc.), please include it with your submittal.

How do I confirm that my request for an addition or change to the Bay Area ITS Architecture has been approved?
The Architecture Maintenance Committee will review the requests for additions or changes to the architecture. Once the determination has been made, the status will be posted here. This will be updated quarterly or as needed.

How will the Bay Area ITS Architecture be maintained?
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) required all metropolitan regions to adopt an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture by April 8, 2005, and have a mechanism to update the plan and ensure that the development of projects funded with federal dollars follows a systems engineering process. (Systems engineering is a structured process for arriving at a final design and deployment of a system. ITS refers to electronic communication systems that can be used for collecting, processing and disseminating data in real time to improve the operation, safety or convenience of the transportation system. An “architecture” is a concept from the field of systems engineering that defines the framework within which a system can be built, the functionality of the pieces of the system, and the information that is exchanged between the components of the system.)

The most current version of the Bay Area ITS Plan Architecture was published by MTC in December 2007.

MTC expects to revise the Bay Area ITS Plan approximately every three years or as needed. In the interim, a Maintenance Committee of local ITS stakeholders has been created to review changes or additions to the regional ITS architecture (including adding projects to the plan to meet federal funding requirements). This Committee will maintain a list of recommended changes and additions that will become the basis for MTC’s formal update of the regional ITS plan. There should be no adverse impact to funding of projects on this list as they await incorporation into the regional plan. ITS projects not on the list or in the current regional architecture could experience difficulties accessing their federal funds.

MTC has hired Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to assist in maintaining the Bay Area ITS Architecture and to support the Maintenance Committee. Please send addition/change request forms (electronic format is preferred) and address any questions to:

Alyssa Phaneuf, PE
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
5550 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 250
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-7446
Phone: 818.227.2790 Fax: 818.227.2797
Alyssa.phaneuf@kimley-horn.com

For general questions about MTC’s approach to maintaining the Bay Area ITS Plan, contact Pierce Gould of MTC at 510.817.5863 or at pgould@mtc.ca.gov.

How do I learn about Regional ITS Architecture Maintenance Committee activities?
A Maintenance Committee of local ITS stakeholders has been created by MTC to review proposed changes or additions to the regional ITS architecture (including adding projects to the plan to meet federal funding requirements) and recommend to MTC those projects to include in the regional ITS plan. In addition, the Maintenance Committee may advise MTC on other ITS architecture issues. The Committee meets on a quarterly basis as necessary.

The following information is available concerning Maintenance Committee activities:

  • The status of a request for a change or addition to the ITS architecture may be reviewed in the current list of change requests.
  • A summary of Maintenance Committee meeting proceedings may be reviewed in the agendas and minutes.

MTC has hired Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA) to support the Maintenance Committee. If you have questions about Maintenance Committee activities or are interested in participating as a Committee member, please contact Alyssa Phaneuf of KHA.

See Also:

Architecture Questions for Project Planning Staff

I am planning an ITS project. How can I find if there are other agencies planning similar projects so I can coordinate technology selection and implementation with them?
The Architecture is a great resource for coordinating projects and learning about other agencies’  ITS deployments. Use the “How do I Find My Project” section of the Architecture to search by sponsor (to find surrounding agencies) or by category of ITS (such as traveler information). The table lists whether the project is existing or planned. To find a specific contact person for the project, you must look it up on the project sequencing table found here under the “How do I Find My Project” heading. The sequencing table will also help to determine if the project implementation is dependent on another project.

My ITS project is required to submit a Systems Engineering Review Form (SERF). How can I use the Architecture to help fill it out?
The Bay Area ITS Architecture has a break down of which section of the Architecture can be used for each section of the SERF. It can be found here in the “Use and Maintenance” section of the Architecture under “Planning.”

How do I plan my ITS project using the Systems Engineering process?
Systems Engineering is a planning process used for ITS projects. Information on the Systems Engineering process can be found in the Systems Engineering Guidebook for ITS. The Bay Area ITS Architecture has a break down of which section of the Architecture can be used for each phase of Systems Engineering. It can be found here in the “Use and Maintenance” section of the Architecture under “Planning.”

Architecture Questions for Procurement Staff

How can I use the Architecture to write my Request for Proposals (RFP) for an ITS project?
One way to use the Architecture to write RFPs is by using it to develop a preliminary outline for the functionality of your project. The “Functional Requirements” section of the Architecture has sample requirements that can be used as a starting point for the scope of work. The Architecture is also a resource for understanding ITS Standards (in the “Standards” section), which can also be useful when writing an RFP to ensure your project uses the most appropriate standards. For projects that are funded with the Highway Trust Fund, it is a requirement to show compliance with the Architecture. Documentation of compliance could be another task in your scope.

Architecture Questions for Funding Staff

I am receiving federal funding for my ITS project from the Mass Transit Account. Can the Architecture provide any guidance?
The Architecture is a planning document, but it is also a reference for ITS resources. In the “Use and Maintenance” section under “Planning” there is a list of references for criteria to follow for planning projects using certain federal funding sources, including the Mass Transit Account. These sources can help you determine what processes you must follow and what documentation is necessary.

 

How do I show my project is in the Architecture?
The Bay Area ITS Architecture is project-based. You can determine if your specific project is already included by searching for it by Project Sponsor or by Category in the “How do I Find My Project” section of the Architecture. If your project is not included by name, you can submit it for consideration to the Architecture Maintenance Team for inclusion to the Architecture using the “Send Updates” button. If your project is not included in the Architecture specifically, and you do not submit it to the Maintenance Team, it may still be included generically. This is because there are representative projects, which are projects that are either not assigned to a specific stakeholder or are not a separately identified project, but are either existing or planned deployments in the region. The representative projects are found in the “How do I Find My Project” section of the web page.