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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 to MTC for inclusion to the Architecture using the link to the addition/change request form under the “Send Updates ” section. If your project is not included in the Architecture specifically, and you do not submit it to MTC, 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 ITS Projects” can be accessed through the “How Do I Find My Project?” section of the web page. You can also see if your project interfaces with one of the major regional ITS projects, such as 511, Express Lanes or emergency management services. Information on the major regional ITS projects can be found using the search option for “Regional ITS Projects” in the “How Do I Find My Project?” section.

If your project was conceived or included at the tail end of the architecture’s development (December 2011) 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?
MTC 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 Architecture was published by MTC in January 2011.

MTC will continue to serve as the lead agency responsible for coordinating Architecture maintenance efforts and project sponsors will continue to be responsible for providing new and updated project information.  Between MTC-initiated update efforts, MTC will maintain a list of project updates and additions submitted by project sponsors.  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.   If necessary, MTC may convene a Maintenance Committee of representative stakeholders to advise MTC on maintenance activities and other ITS policy and planning issues. 

MTC has hired Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to assist in maintaining the Bay Area ITS Architecture and to respond to questions from projects sponsors about compliance with federal Architecture and systems engineering requirements. Please send addition/change request forms (electronic format is preferred) and address any questions to:

Melissa Hewitt, PE
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
765 The City Drive, Suite 200
Orange, CA 92868
Phone: 714-939-1030
Melissa.Hewitt@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.

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), by category of ITS (such as traveler information) or by major regional ITS project. 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 using the Project Sequencing link under the “How do I Find My Project?” section. 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 in the “Project Planning->Non-Transit Projects” section of the Architecture under “How Do I Use This Site?”.

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 in the “Project Planning ->Systems Engineering” section of the Architecture under “How Do I Use This Site?”.

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 federally-funded projects, 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 “Project Planning->Transit Projects” section under “How Do I Use This Site?”, 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 MTC for inclusion to the Architecture using the link to the addition/change request form under the “Send Updates” section. If your project is not included in the Architecture specifically, and you do not submit it to MTC, 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 ITS Projects” are found in the “How do I Find My Project?” section of the Architecture.