Mobile Traffic Management System Test Deployment

The Mobile TMC and various field elements were developed for Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) between 1994 and 2002. These systems were all designed to operate independent of one another to provide on-site traffic data collection, video surveillance, and traffic management functions to support Caltrans TMC operations. Cal Poly researchers integrated these systems and an off-the-shelf changeable message sign into a Mobile Transportation Management System (MTMS). This new and integrated system is capable of operation untethered from a fixed-site Transportation Management Center (TMC). Two field tests were designed to test the field deployment capabilities of the new traffic management system. The first test utilized the new MTMS to support event management while the second test focused on supporting freeway operations. Both tests were conducted, each with different levels of technical success. The primary lesson learned from these tests regarding the operation of the Mobile TMC and deployable field elements in general is that simplicity of system setup and operation is paramount. ITS elements designed for quick field deployment must be extremely reliable, require minimal setup, and be simple to operate. Systems that do not have these attributes will frustrate operators and not meet the expectations of traffic managers.