Intelligent Transportation Systems

About ITS:

Advances in technology are enabling us to build a smarter transportation system, permitting everyone to make better travel decisions and experience fewer delays. ITS technology leads to reduced traffic congestion, safer roads, smarter transit vehicles and service, less wasted fuel, better air quality, and increased capacity and functioning of our transportation systems

One of the roles of SPC’s Transportation Operations and Safety Committee is to bring together ITS stakeholders from across the region to share information on current projects and future ITS applications that will serve Southwestern Pennsylvania’s transportation users.

*This data belongs to and is maintained by PennDOT.

*The data is current as of March 2022.

CCTV is real-time video surveillance equipment, monitored and manipulated by operations personnel. For highways, CCTV’s are installed at locations where accident rates and/or congestion levels are known to be high. The cameras dispatch real-time video images to the traffic operation centers so that in emergency situations a quicker response can be provided. Transit agencies deploy CCTV cameras to observe transit passengers for transit management (crowding levels), fare collection, and security purposes.

The purpose of the DMS is to provide real-time en-route travel advisories to travelers. For highways, the DMS signs are either centered over travel lanes or placed alongside the roadway. Messages on permanent DMS signs typically originate from a traffic control center. For transit systems, DMS’s take the form of dynamic message boards located in waiting areas and/or platforms to provide information on train arrivals, departures, and platform locations.

Highway Advisory Beacons alert drivers that there is an Active Highway Advisory and that they should tune in to the Posted Radio Station for updates.

HAR provides travelers with real-time roadway information, including weather information, agency hotline numbers, incident information, and roadway construction advisories, directly over their car radio. The FCC reserves certain AM and FM frequencies specific to whatever jurisdiction in which they are located for public agencies to broadcast these special travel advisories.

Poor traffic signal timing contributes to traffic congestion and delay. Conventional signal systems use pre-programmed, daily signal timing schedules. Adaptive traffic control system is a traffic management strategy in which traffic signal timing changes, or adapts, based on actual traffic demand. This is accomplished using an adaptive traffic control system consisting of both hardware and software. Adaptive signal control technology adjusts the timing of red, yellow and green lights to accommodate changing traffic patterns and ease traffic congestion.