The UMass Regional Traveler Information System: A University Partnership for Rural ITS Deployment

The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) and the Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) have entered into a partnership to develop, implement, and operate a regional traveler information center (RTIC) for the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The project is unique because UMass will offer operational support for MassHighway's regional traveler information system, in addition to collecting, processing, and disseminating real-time traffic information to the traveling public and regional transportation providers. RTIC will maximize the quality of traffic data available by integrating data and information from multiple sources, and providing value-added information such as estimated travel times and suggested incident response plans. Because RTIC is based at a major research university, it will also provide a real-world test-bed for the development and evaluation of advanced traffic technology, software, and traffic management procedures. RTIC is a cornerstone for coordinated ITS deployment in the region, and leverages technical and financial resources that might otherwise be unavailable in a rural setting. It is envisioned that the system will gradually expand to cover other rural areas of the state, and integrate with other wide-area traveler information systems under development in the Northeast.