FRESNO COUNTY INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) PLAN UPDATE DELIVERABLE NO. 2 DRAFT DATA REPORT FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

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T R A N S P O R T A T I O N S Y S T E M S

( I T S ) P L A N U P D A T E

DELIVERABLE

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2 DRAFT

DATA

REPORT

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Prepared for

Fresno Council of Governments 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201 Fresno, CA 93721

June 2014

Prepared by

URS Corporation

2020 East First Street, Suite 400 Santa Ana, CA 92705

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1.0 I N T R O D U C T IO N

The Fresno County Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan update is a critical component of a coherent plan to address the transportation needs of the county. As travel demand on the freeway and arterial system increases, there is an increasing need to improve the system through better management of existing capacity, rather than continuing to add capacity to the existing system. In recognition of this, the Fresno Council of Governments (FCOG) and the various local communities in the county continue to invest in ITS. The updated ITS Plan will ensure that these investments address the important needs in the county and bring the maximum benefit to travelers while developing a specific implementation plan for the county. The updated ITS Plan will also reflect the changes in technology since the 1999 Plan was completed.

1.1 P

ROJECT

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ACKGROUND

A comprehensive ITS Strategic Deployment Plan (SDP) was developed for Fresno County in 1999, led by the Fresno Council of Governments, which was then known as the Council of Fresno County Governments (COFCG). The SDP was developed in consultation with local Fresno County agencies, and reflected the input and priorities of the local agencies. Subsequently, an ITS SDP was developed for the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. Because of the short time between completion of the 1999 Fresno County Plan and the 2001 San Joaquin Valley, these two documents are consistent with one another with regards to Fresno County inputs, needs, and plans.

While certain elements of the 1999 ITS Plan have been updated as necessary, a comprehensive update of the countywide Plan has not been completed since 1999. In the interim, Fresno Metropolitan area agencies have made significant investments in the planning, design, and implementation of ITS for the surface transportation and transit networks. There is an expectation, documented in the 1999 Fresno ITS Strategic Plan and Architecture that investment in ITS strategies will continue with a focus at the local level. At the same time, it’s important that investments be made in reliable technologies that deliver proven benefit in a cost effective manner. Toward this end, Fresno COG is leading this countywide ITS Master Plan Update to direct ITS investments throughout the county over the next ten years and beyond.

Concurrently, Fresno COG is in the process of updating the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for 2014 including the development of an updated project list for implementation using local and federal funding. ITS strategies, particularly those related to operational improvements to the arterial street system, and to enhancing transit service are important elements of the RTP and can provide improvements that lend to the Sustainable Community Strategies (SCS). Updating the ITS Plan will provide timely input to the RTP and the SCS, and will improve consistency among the three planning documents.

1.2 ITS

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ROCESS

The ITS planning process is much like any other transportation planning activity, with the primary difference being the focus on technological solutions. One of the primary areas of emphasis of ITS planning is the extensive involvement and participation by the stakeholders of the region. This is especially important to ensure interagency systems integration, address

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potential institutional issues early, and to provide the necessary education and awareness of advanced technology transportation solutions.

Using the federal ITS planning process as a guideline, the overall approach to achieving the stated project goals will be performance of the following tasks (the bolded text indicates the current task and/or deliverable in process):

 Task 1: Project Initiation  Task 2: Data Gathering

 Task 3: Assessment of the 1999 ITS Strategic Plan  Task 4: Update Regional ITS Inventories

 Task 5: Stakeholder Consultation/Identify ITS Needs, Vision, Goals, and Objectives  Task 6: Develop Key Regional ITS Strategies

 Task 7: Determine Specific Needs, ITS Service Packages and Elements Based on Strategies

 Task 8: Define Operational Roles and Responsibilities Consistent with Regional Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

 Task 9: Determine the Functional Requirements  Task 10: Prepare Regional ITS Architecture  Task 11: Develop an Architecture Use Plan

 Task 12: Develop Regional Strategic Deployment Plan  Task 13: ITS Website for Regional Stakeholders  Task 14: Presentations

The resulting products of these tasks will be the following (the bolded text indicates the current task and/or deliverable in process):

 Deliverable 1: Project Plan

o The Project Plan will incorporate the Outreach Plan, the stakeholder governance structure, the detailed master project schedule, a narrative that will define success factors, project risks, and mitigation strategies to deal with the identified project risks.

 Deliverable 2: Draft and Final Existing Data Report

o The Report identifies the ITS elements within the County, existing and

planned policies/projects, and combine that with an understanding of the regions users to fully understand the various opportunities and constraints within the County.

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o The report documents the findings of the assessment of the 1999 SDP and the lessons learned in the interviews with project stakeholders.

 Deliverable 4: System Inventory Summary Report

o The will report presents a summary of the findings from the Inventory Survey forms from various Stakeholders identifying existing and planned ITS elements within each jurisdiction.

 Deliverable 5: Visions, Goals, Objectives and Needs Technical Report

o The report will identify an ITS vision for Fresno County, set of goals and objectives, and identify ITS needs after various exercises with Stakeholders.  Deliverable 6: Draft and Final Regional ITS Strategies Report

o The report refine and present a range of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) components for inclusion in the ITS Strategic Deployment Plan.

 Deliverable 7: Regional Consolidated Needs Assessment Summary Technical Report o The report will translate generic ITS needs into the National ITS Architecture

framework. ITS Elements will also be identified as part of the process of identifying and selecting Service Packages for the region.

 Deliverable 8: Regional ITS Operational Roles and Responsibilities Technical Report o The report will identify Operational Roles and Responsibilities that are consistent

with the Vision Statement and the Goals and Objectives identified and developed in Task 5 and will also be based on the Strategies development in Task 6.

 Deliverable 9: Draft and Final Functional Requirements

o The report will identify Functional Requirements for ITS Architecture for the Fresno COG region based on FHWA’s guidance

 Deliverable 10: Draft and Final Electronic Copy of the Turbo Architecture Database o The electronic Turbo Architecture database will be developed consistent with

Version 7 of the National ITS Architecture, FHWA Rule 940.9, and Part V of the FTA National ITS Architecture Policy for Transit Projects and provided to Fresno COG.

 Deliverable 11: Draft and Final Architecture Use and Maintenance Plan

o The report will develop an Architecture Use Plan that will describe how to use the Architecture. The Report will provide project planning, project programming, project design, and maintenance plans and procedures.

 Deliverable 12: Draft Strategic Deployment Plan

o The report will take all of the inputs from Tasks 2 through 11 and meld them together into a cohesive and comprehensive ITS Strategic Deployment Plan Report and Phasing Plan for Fresno County.

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o The project website will provide background on the project, the stakeholder roster, and links to meeting agendas and minutes and will be housed on the Fresno COG server.

 Deliverable 14: PowerPoint Presentations

o The two presentations will provide the overall ITS strategic plan for the key stakeholders’ use, one on the executive summary and one on the overall Plan.

1.3 S

TAKEHOLDER

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ARTICIPANTS

The success of a regional ITS architecture depends on participation by a diverse set of regional Stakeholders. Table 1-1 lists the agencies/organizations of approximately 58 key stakeholders that will be engaged to provide input for the Fresno ITS Plan Update. Input from the Stakeholders as well as others, will be instrumental in the development of the information presented in the final Plan. These stakeholders, and any others that join the project along the way, will be utilized to assist with development of the regional ITS architecture. The stakeholder list will be updated periodically throughout the life of the project.

Table 1-1: Fresno County ITS Plan Update Stakeholder List

American Ambulance City of Kingsburg Fire Department

California Highway Control (CHP) City of Kingsburg Police Department

Caltrans District 10 City of Mendota

Caltrans District 5 City of Mendota Police Department

Caltrans District 6 City of Orange Cove

Caltrans Headquarters City of Orange Cove Fire Department

City of Clovis City of Orange Cove Police Department

City of Clovis Fire Department City of Parlier

City of Clovis Police Department City of Parlier Police Department

City of Coalinga City of Reedley

City of Coalinga Fire Department City of Reedley Fire Department City of Coalinga Police Department City of Reedley Police Department

City of Firebaugh City of Selma

City of Firebaugh Fire Department City of Selma Fire Department City of Firebaugh Police Department City of Selma Police Department

City of Fowler Federal Highway Administration California Division

City of Fowler Fire Department Fresno Area Express (FAX)

City of Fowler Police Department Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG)

City of Fresno Fresno County

City of Fresno Department of Airports Fresno County Fire Department

City of Fresno Fire Department Fresno County Office of Emergency Services City of Fresno Police Department Fresno County Rural Transit Agency

City of Huron Fresno County Sheriff's Office

City of Huron Fire Department Fresno County Transportation Authority City of Huron Police Department Fresno Cycling Club

City of Kerman Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG)

City of Kerman Fire Department Mid Valley Fire Protection District (Mendota)

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1.4 R

ELATIONSHIP TO

1999

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LAN

As noted in Section 1.1, an ITS Strategic Deployment Plan (SDP) was completed for Fresno County in 1999. That Plan was comprehensive, in terms of both needs assessment and the development of recommendations. For this Plan update, the 1999 ITS Plan was reviewed and assessed. Fresno County ITS stakeholder agencies were contacted to discuss and document successes and lessons learned coming out of the 1999 ITS Plan. This assessment will provide some insight and guidance in the project process when considering project and program prioritization, which will also be influenced to varying degrees by the changes in technology since 1999. The assessment will provide a look back at prior ITS planning and implementation efforts and lessons learn from those efforts while moving forward with this most current ITS planning and implementation effort.

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URPOSE OF

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EPORT

The purpose of the Data Report is to obtain a complete understanding of ITS elements in the County of Fresno, including: existing conditions, ongoing planning efforts and their relationships to this study, needs and expectations of the Stakeholders, and a thorough understanding of the physical features that will influence opportunities for enhancing ITS in Fresno County. The report identifies the ITS elements within Fresno County, and existing and planned policies/projects as they relate to ITS within Fresno County as well as regionally.

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2.0 D ATA C O L L E C T I O N P R O C E S S

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OLLECTION

ITS Project related documents were primarily researched for the County of Fresno and the cities within it. Regional documents were evaluated for surrounding counties with significant ITS projects, as well as Caltrans documents. These documents were researched primarily through the websites of each agency as well as information provided from the Fresno COG website. Pertinent documents evaluated include ITS Master Plans, ITS Deployment Plans, Regional Transportation Plans, special technology documents, and various Caltrans Transportation/Corridor System Management Plans. These documents were reviewed and relevant ITS information from those documents is summarized in the Chapter 3.0 of this document. In addition, a brief summary of the 1999 Fresno County ITS Plan is provided.

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3.0 S U M M A RY O F I T S D O C U M E N T S R E V I E W E D

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Fresno County Regional Transportation Plan (2014) 3.1.1

The 2014 Regional Transportation Plan is a comprehensive assessment of all forms of transportation available in Fresno County and of the needs for travel and good movement through the year 2040. The 2014 RTP aims to use the existing transportation network more efficiently and states that ITS will pay a large role in providing innovative services to make “smarter” use of the transportation networks.

ITS elements support the following goals listed in the RTP:

General Transportation Goals

 An efficient, safe, integrated, multimodal transportation system

 Improved mobility and accessibility for all regardless of race, income, national origin, age, or disability

 A regional transportation network consistent with the intent of SB 375 (Senate Bill 375 also known as the Sustainable Communities Protection Act of 2008)

 Support cooperative efforts between local, state, federal agencies and the public to plan, develop and manage our transportation system

 Attainment and maintenance of federal and state ambient air quality standards (criteria pollutants) as set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board

Highways, Streets, and Roads Goals

 An integrated and efficient highways, streets, and roads network  Efficient use of available transportation funding

 Acceptable LOS for the highways, streets, and roads network Mass Transportation Goals

 An efficient and fiscally responsible public transportation mobility system  A safe and reliable public transportation service

 An effective public transportation system

 An integrated multimodal transportation system which facilitates the movement of people

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Aviation Goal

 A fully functional and integrated air service and airport system that is complementary to the regional transportation system

Rail Goals

 A safe, efficient and convenient rail system which serves the passenger and freight needs of the region and which is integrated with and complementary to the total transportation system

 A transportation system that efficiently and effectively transports goods throughout Fresno County

ITS is listed as a policy (direction statement that guides present and future decisions on specific actions) to achieve the air quality goal and the objective to: Implement all appropriate Transportation System Management, Transportation Demand Management, and Transportation Control Measure strategies as technologically and economically feasible.

Fresno County Regional Transportation Plan (2011) 3.1.2

The Fresno COG’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) (2011) provides an overview of ITS opportunities in the Region. The Fresno County Region aims to maintain momentum generated by past ITS strategic deployment planning processes, taking advantage of the level of awareness and precedent for joint action established through previous planning efforts. The Region wants to continue efforts to improve coordination between Caltrans District 6 and Fresno urban area traffic management centers, taking advantage of the current District 6 and Fresno fiber optic implementation projects. The Region wants to encourage other local entities (in addition to City of Fresno) to investigate opportunities to coordinate with the Caltrans District 6 fiber optic system, as well as with City of Clovis and County of Fresno. The Region aims to support and expand upon the projects identified in the Fresno County ITS Strategic Deployment Plan that are intended to develop a regional transportation user information system, connections to a valleywide or statewide information system, and development of common or standard electronic maps to support applications such as automatic vehicle location.

In addition to the Fresno County opportunities listed above, the RTP lists general ITS opportunities for the San Joaquin Valley including the following:

 Build upon the existing Caltrans District 6 and District 10 Traffic Management Systems to fill gaps and complete coverage on major facilities, including expansion of the highway closures and restrictions database to include other agencies.

 Capitalize upon the extensive ITS technology testing and standards development

conducted by Caltrans by using, where appropriate, Caltrans approaches for local traffic management systems.

 Build upon lessons learned from past and current transit ITS deployment experience (Fresno Area Express, Golden Empire Transit District, San Joaquin Regional Transit).

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 Build upon Caltrans District 6 and District 10 experience with co-location and coordination between traffic management and Highway Patrol staff.

 Build upon the momentum and stakeholder coalition generated through the San Joaquin Valley Goods Movement Study to pursue ITS commercial vehicle projects.

 Investigate how to provide traveler information for commercial vehicle operators at truck rest stop locations.

 Investigate how ITS can support efforts to improve east-west travel between the inland areas and the coast.

 Improve visibility and access to existing Caltrans valleywide alternate route plans.  Use momentum from the valleywide ITS planning effort in conjunction with federal rules

(ITS architecture and standards conformity and statewide and metropolitan planning) to expand ITS action.

Fresno County ITS Strategic Deployment Plan (1999) 3.1.3

The 1999 ITS Strategic Deployment Plan contains project recommendations organized by a set of program areas, which are: Traffic/Freeway Management Systems (ATMS); Incident Management/Emergency Management Services (IC-EMS); Transit Systems (TS); Transportation User Information Systems (TUIS); and Regional ITS Configuration Management-Coordination-Planning. The projects contained in those program areas contain varying levels of detail that are indicative of the level of planning and preparedness to design and implement the individual initiatives. The following paragraphs summarize the programs and projects contained in the 1999 Fresno County ITS Strategic Deployment Plan.

The first program area listed is Traffic/Freeway Management Systems (ATMS). The components of this program include the following:

 Deployment of approximately 16 miles of fiber-optic communications along State Route 99 (SR-99), SR-180, SR-41, and to the Caltrans Transportation Management Center (TMC). Another potential fiber-optic communications deployment was identified for this program consisting of an additional 35 miles of fiber-optic communications infrastructure along SR-99, SR-168, and SR-180.

 Deployment of approximately 18 ramp meter sites (4 initial and 14 future) as growth in travel demands dictate.

 Installation and integration of the Caltrans Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) software into the District 6 TMC. The Statewide TMC Standardization Plan has identified District 6 as receiving this software in the Year 2013.

 Deployment of local agency centralized signal control systems for the City of Clovis, Fresno County, and Caltrans.

 Integration of regional signal control systems. Many regions have undertaken efforts to integrate their signal control systems to provide for the rapid exchange of timing information and enhanced inter-jurisdictional signal coordination. The urban portion of

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Fresno County gave consideration to such integration in 1999 but had not fully committed to the concept as of the completion of the 1999 ITS Plan.

 Incorporation of rural signal control. Many of the smaller cities in the Region have a handful of traffic signals, and many are likely to put more signals in place as regional growth continues. Many of the rural signals are maintained under contract by other larger agencies, such as Caltrans and the City of Fresno.

 Deploy enhanced surveillance and management systems along 41, 168, and SR-180 to better manage traffic conditions, provide improved information to drivers and improve responses to congestion causing situations.

 Railway/Highway interface technology would provide enhanced detection and location information on trains within urban areas of the Region, along with improved notification to motorists of an approaching train. Fourteen preliminary major crossings have been discussed, but not specifically identified. The focus of the project is to enhance traveler information and safety.

 Provide wireline backbone communications between the largest transportation agencies in the County (City of Fresno, City of Clovis, County of Fresno, and Caltrans).

 Provide surveillance and incident notification capabilities to the outlying areas of the Fresno County Region, as well as establish a regional motorist aide (Callbox) system.  Enhance the safety of motorists and pedestrians at problem intersections with low cost

measures such as red-light photo enforcement locations and pedestrian safety deployments of high-visibility crossings and video detection.

The Incident Management/Emergency Management Services (IC-EMS) program area includes the following components:

 Upgrade the road weather information systems (RWIS) and provide for integration of this information with transportation management and information functions. Specific projects include deployment of additional weather sensors to fill-in gaps in the existing weather sensing infrastructure, replacement/upgrade of some existing weather sensing stations, and integration of weather sensing data into the Region’s ATMS efforts including the Caltrans ATMS and the Regional Integrated Workstations.

 Enhance motorist safety in poor weather conditions by providing speed advisories and intelligent roadway markings (Variable Speed Notification System and Smart or Intelligent Road Studs (IRS)).

 Enhance incident scene management capabilities through improved mobile remote surveillance and communications between incident commanders in the field and specialists at fixed locations.

 Enhance incident response and coordination activities in situations where multiple emergency service agencies are involved, using tools such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems.

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 Provide a common communications channel for all emergency service agencies, which would be involved in a large scale incident.

 Establish a multi-agency institutional structure for dealing with incident management and transportation agency/emergency service agency coordination issues.

The third program area is Transit Systems (TS), which encompasses the following:

 Improve transit agency coordination throughout the Region to provide more seamless service to patrons and to maximize economies of scale, which involves development of a Coordinated Transit Operations and ITS Deployment Plan.

 Enhance interagency coordination of transit operations through integrated dispatching and transit information services.

 Utilize the capabilities provided by Fresno Area Express’ (FAX’s) transit management system and provide real-time transit information to patrons at major transit/activity centers.

 Expand the deployment and functionality of FAX’s transit management system for deployment to all regional transit services.

 Simplify and enhance the accuracy of regional transit fare collection and management. The Transportation User Information Systems (TUIS) program area includes:

 Enhance the accuracy, timeliness, and level of relevant information available to users of the transportation system with freeway/highway changeable messages signs (CMS) deployments, Internet application of the Regional Integrated Workstation (RIW), and upgrades to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) systems and capabilities.

 Ensure compatibility and involvement of the Fresno County Region in any significant valleywide1 or statewide transportation user information system deployment.

The final program area listed is Regional ITS Configuration Management-Coordination-Planning, which includes the following components:

 Coordinate and provide for communications linkages among the Fresno County Region, neighboring regions, and the State.

 Provide for a coordinated and integrated ITS deployment effort within the Region that follows the standards systems development process resulting in lower overall costs.  Provide an accurate and effective regional Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based

map for ITS and automatic vehicle location (AVL) uses.

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The term “valleywide” is generally understood to mean the eight county San Joaquin Valley Region, which consists of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties.

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3.2 C

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City of Fresno Intelligent Transportation Systems Management Plan (2012) 3.2.1

The Intelligent Transportation Systems Mission for City of Fresno is to implement an Advanced Transportation Management System that will improve safety, mobility, efficiency, transportation productivity, and quality of life and environment in the greater Fresno metropolitan area in a manner consistence with the Fresno City-Wide Traffic Signal Control System Master Plan, Fresno County ITS Strategic Deployment Plan, San Joaquin Valley Regional ITS Plan, the Regional Transportation Plan.

The City of Fresno’s ITS Phases 1 and 2 constructed the Traffic Operations Center and 55 miles of transportation infrastructure. In 2007, the ITS Phase 3 project completed building the Advanced Transportation Management System, interconnecting approximately 65 traffic signals for key arterials of Blackstone, Herndon, Willow, Chestnut, Kings Canyon and parts of Downtown Fresno. The TMC is equipped to monitor, model, and coordinate traffic on some of the City’s major arterials. The ITS Program staff have synchronized 6 corridors (106 traffic signals) and have secured an additional $19.6 million in traffic synchronization and air quality grants to construct 15 additional ITS corridors (272 traffic signals), synchronizing 378 of the City’s 500 traffic signals by 2017.

ITS Design Engineering Report (1998) 3.2.2

With the available funding, the initial implementation of ITS elements in Fresno will construct a portion of the complete fiber optic trunk ring with plans for future completion of the full design. As part of the initial implementation, Hub sites used to consolidate information onto single cable and transfer directly to the City of Fresno Traffic Operations Center (TOC) are recommended at Blackstone/Divisadero (hub #1) and Blackstone/Herndon (hub #2). The following list in also part of the initial implementation:

 Fiber optic trunk communications ring between hub #1 and hub #2.  Fiber optic tail circuits.

 Fiber optic and twisted pair copper tail circuits, as applicable (both coincident with first piece of trunk ring and nearby), to bring approximately 72 signalized intersections on line with the QuickNet/4 traffic signal system.

 Trunk and tail circuit connects from hub #1 and City Hall.  Implementation of complete TOC on the 4th

floor of City Hall.

 Implementation of approximately 17 surveillance cameras, along/near Blackstone and in downtown.

 Implementation of approximately 15 system detectors.

 Intertie to, and equipment at, the signal shop and FAX offices at the Corporate Yard. As funding allows, some of the following elements may also be included in the initial implementation:

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 Intertie to Caltrans District offices and their traffic signal system.

Fresno City-Wide Traffic Signal Control System Master Plan (1995) 3.2.3

In 1995 the City of Fresno (City) upgraded its traffic signal control system to alleviate traffic congestion, improve signal coordination, improve existing obsolete equipment, and improve air quality. Traffic signals upgraded included City, Caltrans, County of Fresno (County), City of Clovis, and other smaller cities. The master plan provides the following upgrades to the proposed system:

 A coordinated signal system with a central computer at Fresno City Hall, which is connected to workstations at the Municipal Service Center (MSC), Caltrans, Council of Fresno County Governments (COFCG), Fresno County, and Clovis offices via a Wide Area Network (WAN).

 System software that allows local agencies to monitor and coordinate with traffic signals operated by other agencies.

 Increase in staff to maintain equipment and manage traffic signal timing and systems operation.

 Installation of additional traffic detectors where needed for signal timing.

 Installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at critical intersections and roadways.

 Updated traffic signal control software.  Installation of fiber optic cable network.

 Installation of radio interconnect at remote traffic signals.  A signal equipment maintenance system.

 Notebook computers to provide remote system terminals for field personnel.

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California Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Rural/Non-Urban Transit 3.3.1

Statewide Plan (2012)

The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Rural/Non-Urban Transit Plan, the ITS Plan, aims to develop a comprehensive statewide rural and non-urban transit ITS strategy to ensure compliance with the National ITS Architecture Final Rule and Final Policy requirements. The ITS Plan describes a process that allows rural/non-urban transit providers to manage and develop their services, while allowing the state to identify the systems that are considered ITS and ensure that they meet all federal requirements. Two existing projects were outlined in Fresno area:

 Fresno Area Express Mobile Data Terminals (Urban Project): Fresno Area Express (Fresno County Transportation Authority) implemented mobile data terminals for tracking of Fresno Area Express vehicles.

 Fresno County Electronic Fare Boxes: Fresno County Transportation Authority implemented electronic fare boxes for rural transit vehicles.

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Caltrans District 6 Transportation System Development Plan (2012) 3.3.2

The Transportation System Development Plan (TSDP) is the principal document for identifying State Highway improvements recommended for consideration and ultimately for inclusion into regional transportation plans and programs. The TSDP presents a listing of candidate projects that encompass a comprehensive, reasonable and effective range of transportation improvements. One of the TSDP categories is New Technology. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is a key tool in this category and is planned for use on State routes, major local streets, major corridors, and transportation modes where new technology application may be promising. The following ITS projects are listed within Fresno County:

 Central Valley CCTV: Install Closed Circuit TV system and TMS in Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Kings, and Madera Counties at various locations.

 Fresno Madera 41 Fiber Optics: Install Fiber Optics from North Avenue to north of the San Joaquin River.

 Fresno/Madera 99 Vehicle Detection System: Install vehicle detection system in Fresno and Madera Counties.

 Route 99 Fiber Optics: Install fiber optic system from Chestnut Avenue OC to Shaw Avenue OC.

 Southbound 99 Ramp Metering: Install ramp metering and possibly widen ramps.  Olive Avenue Signals: Install traffic signals at SR 99/Olive Avenue on & off ramps and

ramp metering.

 168 ramp Meters: Ramp metering from west of Fowler Avenue to east of Fowler Avenue.

Caltrans District 6 Corridor System Management Plans (CSMP) (2008 – 3.3.3

2012)

A Corridor System Management Plan (CSMP) is a long-range planning document that identifies recommended management strategies within a transportation corridor. A transportation corridor encompasses all transportation components including the highway, major local parallel roads, local road intersections, ramps and ramp meters, signal controls, transit, rail, bikes, and pedestrians. The strategies identified are phased and include both operational and long range capital expansion strategies. The following subsections summarize pertinent ITS information contained in various CSMP documents, on a route-by-route basis.

3.3.3.1 SR-99 Rural

The 2008 CSMP encompasses the City of Tulare and the agriculture-oriented activities within Tulare County and terminates in the City of Kingsburg in Fresno County. As part of the Goshen to Kingsburg 6-Lane project, Traffic Monitoring Systems (TMS) were added to two locations within the CSMP corridor in Fresno County. Other ITS elements including TMS, Changeable Message Signs (CMS), Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), and Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) were implemented in Tulare County.

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3.3.3.2 SR-99 Fresno-Madera Counties

The 2009 CSMP encompasses Route 99 through the urbanized area of the City of Fresno and the City of Madera. The corridor is approximately 40 miles long, with 17 miles in Fresno County. Existing ITS elements along the corridor within Fresno County include ramp meters, traffic monitoring stations, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements. Proposed ITS elements include four traffic monitoring stations, two CCTV cameras, and one permanent CMS element. The twenty-year improvement plan also includes the following ITS elements: ramp meters, traffic monitoring systems, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements.

3.3.3.3 SR-198

The 2012 CSMP covers the 115.22 miles of SR-198 in Caltrans District 6, from the Monterey County line through Fresno County, Kings County, and Tulare County, ending at the boundary with the Sequoia National Park. Existing ITS Elements along the corridor within Fresno County include traffic signals, a traffic count station, a CCTV camera, and a CMS. Proposed ITS elements include ten traffic count stations, a CCTV camera, three CMS elements, and two highway advisory radio elements.

Caltrans District 6 Transportation Concept Report (TCR) (2003 – 2013) 3.3.4

A Transportation Concept Report (TCR) is a long-range system-planning document that establishes a planning concept for the corridor. The TCR provides route data and information, as well as current and projected year operating characteristics. The following subsections summarize pertinent ITS information contained in various TCR documents, on a route-by-route basis. TCRs are summarized below for a select highways within Fresno County on which ITS is being actively considered in the TCR. TCRs for other state highways in District 6 and Fresno County can be found on the Caltrans District 6 website

(http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist6/planning/tcrs/).

3.3.4.1 SR-33

The TCR for SR-33 proposes ITS applications along Route 33 in District 6. Examples of proposed ITS applications along SR-33 include: weather stations (WS), changeable message signs (CMS), and highway advisory radio (HAR). However, the TCR does not indicate the time frame for implementation of those ITS elements. It is common practice for Caltrans to consider ITS applications in the development of any capacity enhancing project, and presumably, the proposed applications would be considered with any other larger project under development along SR-33 in Fresno County.

3.3.4.2 SR-41

This TCR covers the 137.3 miles of SR-41 in Caltrans District 6 through Kern, Kings, Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa counties, ending at Yosemite National Park. Existing ITS Elements along the corridor within Fresno County include ramp meters, traffic monitoring stations, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements. The ten and twenty-year improvement plan does not indicate any ITS projects.

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3.3.4.3 SR-43

This TCR covers the 97.60 miles of SR-43 in Caltrans District 6 through Kern, Tulare, Kings, and Fresno counties, ending in the City of Selma. Currently there are no ITS Elements along the corridor within Fresno County however a changeable message sign and call boxes are in place within Kern County. The twenty-year improvement plan does not indicate any ITS projects.

3.3.4.4 SR-99

This TCR covers the 173 miles of SR-99 in Caltrans District 6 from I-5 in Kern County to the Madera/Merced county line. The corridor passes through the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Existing ITS Elements along the corridor within Fresno County include ramp metering, weather stations, highway advisory radio, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements. Planned ITS elements include, enhanced fiber optic network in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area and a 511 telephone and Internet-based traveler information system that provides access to travel information.

3.3.4.5 SR-145

The TCR for SR-145 proposes ITS applications along Route 145 in District 6. This particular TCR refers to these ITS applications as Transportation Management Systems (TMS) elements. Existing ITS/TMS elements along the corridor within Fresno County include a CMS, traffic count stations, traffic signals, and a weather information system. Planned ITS elements include, additional CMS, highway advisory radio (HAR), and potentially additional traffic signals. The TCR does not indicate the time frame for implementation of the planned ITS/TMS elements. It is common practice for Caltrans to consider ITS applications in the development of any capacity enhancing project, and presumably, the proposed applications would be considered with any other larger project under development along SR-145 in Fresno County.

3.3.4.6 SR-168

According to the TCR for SR-168, as of 2005 SR-168 has several Closed Circuit TVs (CCTV), and Changeable Message Signs (CMS). The CCTV and CMS are located primarily in the Fresno metropolitan area, and are connected to the larger freeway management system operated by Caltrans District 6. There is one operating Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) near Lodge Road. Another application of ITS along this corridor is the planned deployment of a Weather Station (WS) at the Shaver Lake Maintenance Station. Additional planned ITS items include Traffic Monitoring Stations, additional CCTVs, and additional CMSs. The TCR does not indicate the time frame for implementation of the planned ITS/TMS elements.

3.3.4.7 SR-180

This TCR covers the 180 miles of SR-180 in Caltrans District 6 through San Benito, Fresno, and Tulare Counties, and Kings Canyon National Park. Existing ITS Elements along the corridor within Fresno County include traffic monitoring station, ramp meters, highway advisory radio, vehicle detection stations, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements. Planned ITS elements include traffic monitoring stations, ramp meters, highway advisory radio, weather stations, vehicle detection stations, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements.

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3.3.4.8 SR-198

SR-198 extends 115.22 miles through Caltrans District 6, of which, approximately 43 miles of SR-198 are located in Fresno County. There are a number of existing ITS elements on SR-198 in Fresno County. Those ITS elements include traffic signals, traffic count stations, and a CCTV camera. There are a number of proposed ITS elements on SR 198 in Fresno County that include, additional CCTV cameras, additional traffic count stations, CMS, and highway advisory radios. Caltrans District 6 is committed to the implementation of ITS strategies as funding allows. Implementation of ITS strategies will complement other improvements, including those improvements that may be implemented by partner agencies such as transit, light rail, and improvements on the local road system.

3.3.4.9 I-5

This TCR covers the 180 miles of I-5 within District 6, from the Los Angeles/Kern County line to the Madera/Merced County line northwest of Fresno County. Within Caltrans District 6, I-5 is a multi-lane freeway through Kern, Kings, and Fresno Counties. Existing ITS Elements along the corridor within Fresno County include traffic count stations, remote processing units, highway advisory radio, vehicle detection stations, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements. Planned ITS elements include additional traffic count stations, remote processing units, highway advisory radio, vehicle detection stations, CCTV cameras, and CMS elements.

Caltrans Fog Detection and Warning System (FDWS) 3.3.5

Tule fog is a significant seasonal problem in the Fresno County area and a leading cause of weather related traffic accidents. It is a thick ground fog that at times reduces visibility to near zero that settles in the San Joaquin Valley. Tule fog periodically forms during the late autumn and winter after the first significant rainfall.

Caltrans District 6 implemented a pilot project to automatically detect fog and warn motorists of hazardous conditions. Construction on the Fog Detection and Warning System (FDWS) began in October 2008. Phase 1 was completed in February 2009 and Phase 2 was completed around the beginning of the 2009-2010 fog season. The project covers a thirteen-mile stretch of SR-99 south of Fresno.

The FDWS consists of visibility sensors, speed detectors and cameras to detect congestion and visibility problems that could adversely affect driver and passenger safety. The system alerts motorists automatically through changeable message signs (CMS) and highway advisory radio (HAR) of dangerous weather conditions and slow speeds. The system is connected to the Caltrans District 6 Transportation Management Center (TMC) using wireless communications. The system has the built-in intelligence to operate autonomously if communications are lost between the field equipment and the central system in the District 6 TMC.

Route 99 Corridor Enhancement Master Plan (2004) 3.3.6

The Route 99 Corridor Enhancement Master Plan encompasses Route 99 from Interstate 5 in Kern County to Sacramento County. This 274-mile section of Route 99 runs through the counties of Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin in the San Joaquin Valley. The Route 99 Corridor Enhancement Master Plan aims to provide a community identity, freeway improvements, and develop design concepts for the entire corridor. This document focuses

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primarily on aesthetic concerns and capacity and operational needs. Examples of existing ITS technology along Route 99 include changeable message signs, Highway Advisory radio stations and weather stations. Currently, commercial entities are being built in the form of Information Service Providers known as ISPs. These ISPs collect data from various sources and create information products and services that consumers now see as necessary. Services that are currently being offered in California include electronic toll payment, driver and traveler services, and emergency services.

Caltrans Transportation Management System Plan (2004) 3.3.7

The Transportation Management System (TMS) is the business process, field elements, and communications systems that help maximize the productivity of the transportation system. The three core TMS areas include traffic control and management systems, incident management systems, and advanced traveler information systems. All three processes rely on real-time, advanced detection systems therefore detection systems are integral to traffic operations strategies. Transportation Management Centers (TMCs) also play a key role in the TMS as they provide an integrated system for operation. All three core areas listed above directly correlate with ITS. This document does not list specific projects but does focus on the following improvements as part of their action plan: detection, incident management, ramp metering, arterial signal management, and traveler information systems.

San Joaquin Valley Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic 3.3.8

Deployment Plan (2001)

The Intelligent Transportation System Strategic Deployment Plan (SDP) for the San Joaquin Valley Region was a 28-month study jointly funded by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the individual counties with San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG). The San Joaquin Valley region includes eight counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. Fresno and Kern County prepared ITS Strategic Plans prior to the San Joaquin Valley SDP. The SDP has a 20-year ITS strategy for the valley and identifies recommendations for valleywide and inter-jurisdictional initiatives to address problems that affect the entire region, as well as recommendations for specific priority projects and opportunities that will address specific problems. Goals developed for Fresno County as part of this document are called out in Fresno County’s Regional Transportation Plan as listed in Section 3.1.2 of this document.

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4.0 N E X T S T E P S

The next task is an assessment of the 1999 ITS Strategic Deployment Plan (SDP). The assessment will primarily focus on contacting ITS stakeholder agencies to discuss and document successes and lessons learned coming out of the 1999 ITS SDP. The main point of this exercise will be to look back at prior ITS planning and implementation efforts and learn from those efforts as well as determine which projects from the 1999 SDP were implemented and which remain.

A report documenting the findings of the assessment of the 1999 SDP will then be developed. The lessons learned in the interviews with project stakeholders will be enumerated and, if possible, categorized. Lessons learned may be categorized as technical, institutional, monetary (funding), implementation, operational, and/or maintenance. Depending on any patterns that emerge from the listing of lessons learned, those categories may be enhanced or modified as needed.

The Consultant Team will then initiate the collection of ITS inventory from ITS stakeholders throughout Fresno County. Towards the conclusion of these steps, the Consultant Team will perform an ITS needs survey, in which stakeholders will be asked to identify their own ITS needs, and to assist with prioritization of those ITS needs. These tasks will further lead into development if the Regional ITS Architecture and Strategic Deployment Plan.

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5.0 R E F E R E N C E S

Caltrans. 2012. California Department of Transportation. California Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Rural/Non-Urban Transit Statewide Plan. September 2012.

Caltrans. 2012. California Department of Transportation. Caltrans District 6 Transportation System Development Plan. May 2012.

Caltrans. 2004. California Department of Transportation. Route 99 Corridor Enhancement Master Plan

Caltrans. 2008-2012. California Department of Transportation. Caltrans District 6 Corridor System Management Plans (CSMP). 2008-2012.

Caltrans. 2003-2013. California Department of Transportation. Caltrans District 6 Transportation Concept Report (TCR). 2003-2013.

Caltrans. 2004. California Department of Transportation. Caltrans Transportation Management System Plan. February 2004.

City of Fresno. 1995. Fresno City-Wide Traffic Signal Control System Master Plan. October 1995.

City of Fresno. 1998. ITS Design Engineering Report. August 1998.

City of Fresno. 2012. Intelligent Transportation Systems Management Plan. July 2012.

Fresno COG. 1999. Fresno Council of Governments. Fresno County ITS Strategic Deployment Plan. December 1999.

Fresno COG. 2011. Fresno Council of Governments. Fresno County Regional Transportation Plan. July 2010.

Fresno COG. 2014. Fresno Council of Governments. Fresno County Regional Transportation Plan.

ICx Transportation. California Department of Transportation. Caltrans Fog Detection and Warning System (FDWS) White Paper.

San Joaquin Valley ITS Steering Committee. 2001. San Joaquin Valley Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic Deployment Plan. September 2001.

FRESNO COUNTY INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) PLAN UPDATE DELIVERABLE NO. 2 DRAFT DATA REPORT FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N S Y S T E M S

( I T S ) P L A N U P D A T E

DELIVERABLE

NO.

2

DRAFT

DATA

REPORT

F

RESNO

C

OUNTY

,

C

ALIFORNIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 I N T R O D U C T IO N

1.1 P

B

1.2 ITS

P

P

1.3 S

P

1.4 R

1999

F

C

ITS

P

1.5 P

D

R

2.0 D ATA C O L L E C T I O N P R O C E S S

2.1 D

C

3.0 S U M M A RY O F I T S D O C U M E N T S R E V I E W E D

3.1 C

-

D

3.2 C

-

D

3.3 R

-

D

4.0 N E X T S T E P S

5.0 R E F E R E N C E S