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As
Mayor of a city that is seeking to grow smarter, I am charged with
identifying the right policies and technologies to make Tucson a better
place to live. ITS
technologies have helped our region manage congestion and provide better
alternatives to driving, one of the goals of the Livable Tucson Vision
Program.
Traveler Information
In
Tucson, we provide the latest traveler information to our residents
through commercial radio, television and the Internet.
In addition to timely and accurate information on traffic
incidents, Tucson’s Transview website provides information on routes and
schedules for the local transit system, the trolley network, bike paths,
ridesharing and park-and-ride services.
In 1998 the City of Tucson established a partnership with METRO
Networks-Tucson, a private traveler information provider, to implement a
regional ITS Traveler Information System program.
METRO Networks-Tucson provides funding for the operation and
upgrading of the region’s transportation control center, helicopter
flight time for staff to monitor roadway conditions, broadcasting of
peak-hour transportation announcements, and a potential revenue stream for
the city to use on related ITS projects.
Also, the Tucson region is investing in smart roads, transit
improvements, regionally coordinated traffic signals, electronic
signboards and other advanced transportation technologies to improve the
movement of people and goods.
Public Transit Systems
Green light traffic signal extension research for
transit is underway in cooperation with the University of Arizona.
This technology would prolong green lights when transit vehicles
are approaching, enabling buses, vans and trolleys to keep to their
schedules. One technology
that is already in place is an Automatic Vehicle Location system (AVL).
This allows Sun Tran transit dispatchers to track the location of
each transit vehicle.
This
system also provides a “mayday” capability to drivers who require
assistance; pushing an in-vehicle button alerts dispatchers of any
problems.
Improving Bicycling Conditions
The
City of Tucson has installed smart traffic signals at several crosswalks
that lengthen the crossing time when pedestrians and cyclists are present.
The technology is called “TOCAN Crossings”, since TwO groups of
road users CAN cross at the same time.
The traffic light is extended based on the information provided by
cameras that detect bicycles or pedestrians.
Tucson’s metro area has more miles of bikeways than any other
metro area in the U.S. Technologies
like TOCAN enable us to integrate the bicycle network into the overall
transportation system in a way that is safer for everyone.
Enhancing the
Pedestrian Environment
Tucson
has also introduced a crossing signal technology that help drivers brake
for pedestrians. Coupled with
our “Watching Over the Pedestrian Like a Hawk” media campaign, the
HAWK (High-intensity Activated CrossWalK) system has generated one of the
nation’s highest driver yielding rates, increasing compliance from 30
percent, under normal conditions to 93 percent over an eight-month study
period. The City of Tucson will receive a national award for
pedestrian safety from several governmental and non-governmental agencies
for this innovative program.
Emergency Room Technologies
ER-Link
Tucson is a public/private partnership that allows doctors to be virtually
“transported” from the hospital emergency room into an ambulance with
a highly skilled paramedic by the patient’s side.
As planned for phase one, the project will allow for video and
voice teleconferencing capabilities between the University Medical Center
and the Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances of the Tucson Fire
Department. The system
facilitates near-constant two-way audio and video communication between
the attending paramedic in the ambulance and the emergency room personnel
in the hospital.
Mayors
and other policymakers have continuously been confronted with the problem
of how to develop and maintain an Intelligent Transportation System
program. Although federal
assistance enabled our region to initiate our successful ITS programs,
there is currently no mechanism with which to maintain them.
We should make continued innovation possible.
When transportation initiatives prioritize mobility, safety,
environmental quality and community goals, ITS can help us create a more
livable community for everyone.
As
Mayor of Tucson, Bob Walkup has sought to make Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS) available in Tucson since he first moved there in 1990.
Prior to holding elected office, he worked in the high-technology
aerospace industry as an engineer and executive for more than 30 years.
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