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User Perspective on User Perspective on Deploying 511Deploying 511

Al KosikAl Kosik

Director, Traffic Management Director, Traffic Management SectionSection

TxDOTTxDOT

National Transportation Operations National Transportation Operations CoalitionCoalition

Talking Operations WebcastTalking Operations Webcast

July 27, 2005July 27, 2005

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Texas Scenario -- Top Level Texas Scenario -- Top Level IssuesIssues

We are under no pressure to implement We are under no pressure to implement a 511 system immediatelya 511 system immediately– But we intend to deploy 511 statewideBut we intend to deploy 511 statewide

We will not implement a sub-par systemWe will not implement a sub-par system– It will contain all available informationIt will contain all available information

Cost is a key considerationCost is a key consideration Establish statewide functional Establish statewide functional

requirements before considering requirements before considering deploymentdeployment

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Cost is a Key ConsiderationCost is a Key Consideration

Two types of costs:Two types of costs:

1. Deployment1. Deployment

2. Operations & Maintenance2. Operations & Maintenance

These are funded differently in TxDOTThese are funded differently in TxDOT

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Cost is a Key Consideration Cost is a Key Consideration (2)(2)

Deployment costs may be highDeployment costs may be high

- Multiple large urban areas- Multiple large urban areas Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El PasoHouston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso 9 TMCs in operation9 TMCs in operation

- Texas is a big state- Texas is a big state Vast expanses of interstate corridors, many other citiesVast expanses of interstate corridors, many other cities

More concerned about O&M costs than More concerned about O&M costs than deploymentdeployment

- Deployment costs partially paid by fed dollars- Deployment costs partially paid by fed dollars

- Annual O&M is always a concern for TxDOT- Annual O&M is always a concern for TxDOT

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Operations & Maintenance Operations & Maintenance CostsCosts In TxDOT, O&M is paid with state fundsIn TxDOT, O&M is paid with state funds - Usually, we do not use fed $ for O&M- Usually, we do not use fed $ for O&M

- Fed construction funds are used on projects- Fed construction funds are used on projects How do other states handle this?How do other states handle this? - - Who pays ongoing O&M costs in other Who pays ongoing O&M costs in other

states?states? Users?Users? MPOs?MPOs? State DOTs?State DOTs? Transit?Transit? Federal funds?Federal funds?

Any experience with sharing costs?Any experience with sharing costs?

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Planning for Statewide Planning for Statewide DeploymentDeployment

We want Texas to have a uniform 511 We want Texas to have a uniform 511 system out of the gatesystem out of the gate– Same information the same way in every urban Same information the same way in every urban

areaarea Developing a Concept of Operations, a VisionDeveloping a Concept of Operations, a Vision We will deploy regionally, a pilot at start upWe will deploy regionally, a pilot at start up

– Resource limitations (funding, staff)Resource limitations (funding, staff)– Prove the concept regionally; use lessons learned; Prove the concept regionally; use lessons learned;

proves concept to our Administrationproves concept to our Administration

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Deployment StrategyDeployment Strategy

Establish a 511 statewide website firstEstablish a 511 statewide website first - Our TMCs are website oriented; we already - Our TMCs are website oriented; we already

showshow

traveler data online (travel times, congestiontraveler data online (travel times, congestion

levels, camera snapshots) levels, camera snapshots)

- Less initial cost- Less initial cost

- Helps resolve the coordination of multiple- Helps resolve the coordination of multiple

databasesdatabases

- 511 Website to be a complete ATIS system- 511 Website to be a complete ATIS system Phone will be an extension of websitePhone will be an extension of website

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Operational issuesOperational issues

Need to resolve functional description Need to resolve functional description of the telephone user interface up of the telephone user interface up frontfront– Our current thinking:Our current thinking:

Callers initially get local information (no need to Callers initially get local information (no need to drill down from a statewide perspective)drill down from a statewide perspective)

Then a menu to other regions, cities, or Then a menu to other regions, cities, or corridorscorridors

Opposite of 511 website that starts statewideOpposite of 511 website that starts statewide

What are other states’ experiences?What are other states’ experiences? What do truckers want and need?What do truckers want and need?

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Highway Condition Highway Condition Reporting System (HCRS) Reporting System (HCRS) IntegrationIntegration Existing telephone system, recently Existing telephone system, recently

updated,updated,more updates planned: 800-452-9292more updates planned: 800-452-9292

Typically only includes events involvingTypically only includes events involvinglengthy closures; no ITS datalengthy closures; no ITS data

- Includes road closures, construction projects,- Includes road closures, construction projects, weatherweather - Operator assisted, some automated information- Operator assisted, some automated information Need to integrate HCRS and 511Need to integrate HCRS and 511 - May need to resolve institutional issues- May need to resolve institutional issues How do other states handle this?How do other states handle this?

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Contact InformationContact Information

Al KosikAl Kosik

TxDOTTxDOT

512-506-5101512-506-5101

akosik@dot.state.tx.usakosik@dot.state.tx.us