Development of a Dynamic Message Sign Specification for CALTRANS

This paper describes current progress in development a new specification for dynamic message signs (DMS) for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The project team is soliciting user needs, surveying current practice, and seeking comments from vendors. Included in the specification is a design of an internal sign module protocol. The authors will focus on three key aspects of how the specification is being developed: the background regarding the Caltrans Model 500 CMS specification, which has been in use for nearly two decades; a high-level overview of the concept of the proposed system; and a description of the process of creating a new CMS specification. The authors outline ten tasks to be undertaken as part of this process: a survey of other state departments of transportation (DOT); a district survey; develop concept of operations; develop requirements document; outreach planning and activity; specification development and completion of final standard with plan drawings; develop testing plan; support RFP for prototype; conduct training workshops; and final project report and workshop presentations. They conclude that this specification is being developed in an open and collaborative environment, while still adhering to systems engineering best practices. This effort may also help to produce a specification that, in part or entirety, could be adopted industry-wide.

• Corporate Authors:

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Galarus, Douglas
  • Strong, Christopher K
  • Haukom, Terry
  • Nguyen, Ha
  • Schoep, Gary
• Conference:
  • 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems and ITS America's 2008 Annual Meeting
  • Location: New York NY, United States
  • Date: 2008-11-16 to 2008-11-20
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: ITS Connections: Saving Time. Saving Lives

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highway safety; Intelligent transportation systems; Outreach; Prototypes; Specifications; Standardization; Systems engineering; Traffic control devices; Variable message signs
• Identifier Terms: California Department of Transportation
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01140654
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 28 2009 7:19AM