During the 2022 Transportation Research Board Tools of the Trade conference (August 29-31), NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel shared the NADO Research Foundation's work on transportation technology case studies.

1. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Building Capacity for
Intelligent Transportation
Systems in Rural and Small
Metropolitan Areas
Carrie Kissel
2022 TRB 17th National Tools of the
Trade Conference
Image: Colorado National Monument, U.S. National Park Service

2. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
About NADO
 National association for Regional Development
Organizations, including emerging network of Rural
Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs or RPOs)
 Promote public policies that strengthen local
governments, communities and economies through the
regional strategies, coordination efforts and program
expertise of the nation’s regional development
organizations

3. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
NADO Research Foundation
Recent and Current Transportation Initiatives
3
 TRB NCHRP 08-131 Access to Jobs, Economic Opportunities, and Education
in Rural Areas (with EBP and Susan Moses)
 Successful Practices using Planning and Environment Linkages in Transportation
Decision-making (FHWA Office of Project Development and Environmental
Review)
 FHWA Office of Safety Local and Rural Roads Program Safety Plan
(with Cambridge Systematics)
 USDA Rural Development transportation technical assistance
(in partnership with Western Transportation Institute)

4. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Regional Development Organizations
4
 540 multi-jurisdictional RDOs in
U.S.
 States may designate Regional
Transportation Planning
Organizations (RTPOs)
 RTPOs provide long range planning,
project identification, public
engagement, and technical
assistance with a focus on
nonmetropolitan areas

5. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Regional Transportation Planning Models
*
*
*
*
*
https://ruraltransportation.org/about-rtpos/rtpo-states/

6. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
How Did We Get Here?
• ISTEA (1991)
– Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
• TEA-21 (1998)
– Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
• SAFETEA-LU (2005)
– Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
• 2003 FHWA/FTA planning regulations were adopted implementing language
on rural planning and state-local consultation. (4-year process)
• Same language used in 2007 regulations
• In essence requires meaningful input by local officials in the transportation
planning process/decision making—separate from public outreach efforts

7. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
MAP-21 & FAST Act RTPOs
• Structure: policy committee, fiscal agent
• Basic regional planning, TA duties outlined
• State outreach to local officials separate from public outreach
• States:
– “Cooperate” with RTPOs on LRTP
– “Consult” with RTPOs on Interstate, Bridge, NHS, 5310, 5311
projects in STIP
– “Cooperate” with RTPOs on other projects in STIP for areas with a
population under 50,000
– “Consult” with RTPOs on Strategic Highway Safety Plan
7

8. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
NADO Research Foundation ITS Initiatives
8
2019-2020
 Building Capacity for Intelligent Transportation Systems
in Rural & Small Urban Areas
(for USDOT ITS Joint Program Office)
2021-2023
 Capacity Building to Advance Intelligent Transportation
Systems in Rural Regions and Communities
(for USDOT ITS Joint Program Office)
Image: Western Iowa Transit

9. 2020 Rural and Small Metropolitan
Intelligent Transportation Systems Case Studies Project
Images: Union County, GA - Pinellas Trail, Dunedin, FL - Washington County, OR
9

10. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Rural ITS Report Focus
10
• Speed, Topography, Weather,
Wildlife
• Challenges and Concerns
• 18 Case Studies
• 14 States and Western National
Parks
Images: Wildlife crossing roadway, fhwa.dot.gov and
South Dakota Department of Transportation
Conflict Warning Sign by Andy Vandel, South Dakota DOT

11. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Case Study Locations
• Colorado (Estes Park, Mesa County,
Rocky Mountain Natl. Park)
• Florida (Pinellas County)
• Georgia (Tybee Island, statewide,
Union County)
• Iowa (Region XII - Denison, Carroll)
• Massachusetts (Belmont)
• Missouri (St. Joseph, Trenton, and
Maryville regions)
• Nevada (I-580 corridor Reno/Carson
City)
11
• Minnesota Department of Transportation
• New York and New Hampshire (Volunteer
Transportation Network)
• Ohio (Guernsey, Muskingum, and Noble
counties; Marysville)
• Oregon (Washington County)
• Pennsylvania (Allentown)
• South Dakota (Bon Homme, Spink counties)
• Western States (national parks)
• Wyoming (I-80 corridor statewide)

12. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
ITS Application Categories
Travel Information:
emergency conditions,
tourism, weather
Operations: dynamic
message signs, flood
gates
Safety and Health:
railroad and bike &
pedestrian trail
crossings
Transit and Mobility:
scheduling, dispatch,
volunteer software
Vehicle Connectivity:
weather response,
Vehicle-to-Vehicle
(V2V), Vehicle-to-
Infrastructure (V2I)
12

13. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Travel and Weather
Safety
• Neels Gap, Georgia: Traffic camera
and weather system improved through
broadband. Drone used to pull fiber
line up the mountain. Part of GA
statewide ITS network.
• Safety: Gainesville hospital route and
ambulance access, Appalachian Trail
conditions, emergency information
13
Neels Gap, Georgia Image: Byron McCombs

14. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Intersection Warnings
& Collision Deterrence
South Dakota Intersection
Warnings: Vehicle detector loops
trigger a flashing light to indicate
traffic is approaching on a side
road.
Safety: Focused on alerting drivers
and deterring collisions in locations
where traffic is moving at high
speeds, sight distance may be
affected or speeds difficult to judge.
14
South Dakota Department of Transportation’s Conflict
Warning Sign. Image: Andy Vandel, South Dakota DOT

15. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Improving Safety through
Shared ITS Assets
• Missouri RDOs: Shared dynamic
message signs, speed radar trailer,
traffic counters, and Safety and
Innovation Mobile Lab
• Safety: Raising awareness among
motorists, cyclists and
pedestrians; testing safety
changes with temporary
installations.
15
Dynamic message signs for regional events, detours, and
emergency information. Safety & Innovation Lab trailer.
Images: Mo-Kan/SJATSO.

16. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Rural ITS Challenges to Implementation
Lower traffic volumes than urban areas, a lower tax base to
pay for ITS projects, less political clout (over urban areas).
Return on investment.
Less predictable or less frequent congestion patterns, such as
construction, special events, or weather.
Regional context: physical barriers, rugged terrain, and
available cellular network.
16

17. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
Rural ITS Considerations and Opportunities
Many “urban” technologies are scalable and applicable in rural and
small urban areas.
Effective ITS projects can be low cost and low tech.
Partnerships: State DOT partnership is important for ITS discussion,
broadband expansion, and setting statewide technology standards.
Capacity building: ITS training and technical assistance provide
opportunities to define what ITS is, role of communications, role of
RPOs.
17

18. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
ITS Professionals
• Bicycle and Pedestrian
• Communications
• Education
• Elected Officials
• Engineering and Public Works
• Information Technology and
Telecommunications
• Law Enforcement and Public Safety
• Management and Operations
• Parks and Recreation
• Planning (State, MPO, RPO, City/County)
• Public Health
• Transit
18

19. R
U
R
A
L
T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N
ITS Partners
• State DOTs and State DOT district offices
Example: Florida DOT District 7 pilot; Minnesota strategic planning
• Transportation companies
Example: Automotive, motor carriers, railroads, signs and lighting
• Associations and advocacy groups
Example: Bicycling, walking, aging, equity, recreation, traffic safety,
tourism
• Local businesses (retail, restaurants, hospitality services)
Example: National Park gateways where ITS supports ease of access,
parking, safety, and other factors that attract locals and visitors.
19

20. Thank you!
NADO.org
RuralTransportation.org
ruraltransportation.org/rural-its-case-studies
Follow @NADOWeb and @RPOAmerica
Carrie Kissel Bret Allphin
Associate Director Senior Program Manager
ckissel@nado.org ballphin@nado.org
Image: Mo-Kan Regional Council
Report co-author: Rachel Beyerle