Western States Forum 2012: Image Gallery

Steering Committee members (left to right) Ian Turnbull from Caltrans District 2, Doug Galarus from the Western Transportation Institute, and Sean Campbell from Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation, welcome participants and kick off the 2012 Western States Forum.

Ian Turnbull, Caltrans District 2, started off the technical presentations with his overview of the technical architecture of the Rural Transportation Management Center in Redding, CA.

Ian Turnbull shows a detailed block diagram as he explains the technical architecture behind Caltrans District 2’s Rural TMC in Redding.

In Part Two of the Rural TMC presentation, Jeremiah Pearce explained the details of the architecture and configuration of the associated Internet Protocol Field Element Network (FEN). Here he reviews the elements deployed in District 2.

Jeremiah Pearce shows the FEN core equipment for the TMC in Redding.

Lynne Randolph, Southwest Research Institute, presents the results from her research which included an investigation into potential issues with Bluetooth technology being used for the purpose of traveler information. Here Lynne shows the different classes of Bluetooth.

Lynne Randolph explains how Bluetooth is used and components are “paired” together to determine travel times.

Sean Campbell (l), a senior Electrical Engineer at the Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation and a WSF Steering Committee member, introduces Doug Galarus (r) and Dan Richter of the Western Transportation Institute for their presentation on the One-Stop-Shop.

Doug Galarus, Western Transportation Institute, demonstrates the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) web application that provides travelers with comprehensive, real-time data that can be used in planning their trips.

With a little humor, Doug Galarus discusses the challenges of producing intuitive weather icons.

Dan Richter, Western Transportation Institute, explains how various data from external sources are retrieved, compiled, and presented through the OSS site.

Dan Richter, Western Transportation Institute, explains how various data from external sources are retrieved, compiled, and presented through the OSS site.

In response to audience questions, Doug Galarus (center) provides further technical detail on the data retrieval process in OSS.

Jon Dickinson, Nevada Department of Transportation, introduces the Mobile ITS Hotspot Trailer which was designed, built, and deployed after NDOT saw WTI’s Portable ITS Trailer and Communications demonstration at the 2008 Western States Forum.

Jon Dickinson answers a question from the audience about the design of the Mobile ITS Hotspot Trailers.

Mark Aragon, Nevada Department of Transportation, explains the solar design current calculations for the original trailer design.

Mark Aragon (front) discusses NDOT’s trailer configuration with Phil Graham (back) of Caltrans District 9.

Jim Whalen shows NDOT’s live cameras as he prepares to demonstrate the ITS trailer deployed in the parking lot.

Jim Whalen, Nevada Department of Transportation, shows traffic camera locations on a map as the NDOT team demonstrates the use of the hotspot trailers.

Nevada DOT gave a live demonstration using one of their ITS Hotspot Trailers deployed in the parking lot. Forum attendees were able to get a close-up look at the trailer components and their configuration.

David Porter, Oregon State University, started OSU’s technical presentation by explaining the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and how it was used in their research on point detection using Bluetooth technology.

David Porter explains the objectives of their research on using wireless data collection units as point detection systems. Potential transportation applications for the technology could be data collection for intersection performance, work zones, and acceleration/deceleration.

OSU’s David Kim describes the different test scenarios for their wireless data collection units project.

David Kim, Oregon State University, presents the results of the Wireless Data Collection Units as Point Detection Systems project.

(From left to right) David Porter, David Kim, Bob Koeberlein, and Ian Turnbull discuss OSU’s technical presentation and the potential for using wireless data collection units for rural transportation applications.

John Batarseh listens to a question from Ian Turnbull of Caltrans about CHP’s Rapid Response Vehicle.

Brian Guthrie, California Highway Patrol, introduces the RRV and explains the purposes of the Incident Command Vehicle.

CHP brought an RRV to the Forum and gave a live demonstration in the parking lot. Here, John Batarseh answers questions about the equipment in the vehicle.

CHP’s Brian Guthrie sets up the monitor for a demonstration of the Rapid Response Vehicle.

(Centered in frame) Brian Guthrie and John Batarseh of CHP answer questions from the group about the equipment, deployment, and field operation of the RRV.

Forum participants listen to CHP’s presentation while checking out all the components of the RRV.

Questions and dialogue during technical presentations are a unique and important aspect of the Western States Forum. Here, Travis Swanston, a Software Engineer from the Advanced Highway Maintenance & Construction Technology Research Center at UC-Davis, asks Lynne Randolph a question about her experiences using Bluetooth technology for calculating travel times.

Forum participants listen to a technical presentation during the 2012 Western States Forum.

Networking sessions and meals provided a good opportunity for the Forum participants to discuss Rural ITS technologies and how these technologies are being utilized to improve operations and safety in their own district or state.

Networking sessions and meals provided a good opportunity for the Forum participants to discuss Rural ITS technologies and how these technologies are being utilized to improve operations and safety in their own district or state. Six different states and four DOT’s were represented at this year’s Forum. (Clockwise from left front: John Carson, Caltrans District 1; Mark Aragon, Nevada DOT; Bob Koeberlein, Idaho Transportation Department; Jon Dickinson, Nevada DOT; and Jim Whalen, Nevada DOT.)

Yreka is located in rural northern California in Caltrans District 2 and provides an appropriate setting for in-depth dialogue about rural ITS system design and implementation. To maintain the rural perspective and continue to foster transparency and trust with an informal atmosphere, the Wednesday evening dinner and networking session was held at a campground.

Forum coordinator Leann Koon from the Western Transportation Institute makes announcements in preparation for the next presentation and the networking session to follow.

Jon Koon was the sound technician for the 2012 Western States Forum. We have appreciated his help with the last five Forums.

Having equipment on display for demonstration during networking sessions and presentations was an asset to the Forum and its participants.

Each participant is given a personalized notebook with copies of the presentations to use during the technical presentations and demonstrations. The notebook also contains contact information for each of the Forum participants to facilitate networking and the sharing of ideas and experiences even after the Forum is completed.