Winner: Joint team of the University of Texas, University of Wyoming, and University of Kansas who worked with District DOT to address non-recurrent congestion by developing traveler information systems around work zones and in identifying potential data and modeling needs required to manage special events.
Overview
Commencing in February of 2018, the Transportation Technology Tournament was a joint effort of the ITS JPO Professional Capacity Building program and the National Operations Center of Excellence to help push the future workforce to understand the communications, teamwork, planning, and interdisciplinary skills required to work in the transportation industry. Nine participant teams were asked to work with a local or state DOT to identify a real-world challenge that DOT is facing and to use ITS technologies and transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies to develop a solution or set of solutions to address that challenge. Teams presenting were:
- Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo working on Pedestrian Safety with the City of Detroit and Michigan DOT
- A joint team of University of Texas, University of Wyoming, and the University of Kansas working on Using Third-Party Navigation Applications to Improve Transportation Operations Planning for Special Events with District DOT
- North Dakota State University working on Enhancing Traffic Operation and Safety by Providing Train Information Near Highway-Rail Grade Crossings working with the City of Moorhead, Minnesota
- Florida International University working on Pedestrian Safety with City of Gainesville
The judges for the event were:
- Egan Smith, Managing Director, ITS Joint Program Office, US DOT
- Arlene Kocher, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, US DOT
- Tony Kratofil, Metro Region Engineer, Michigan DOT and Chair of the NOCoE Technical Advisory Committee
- Kris Milster, Director of Government Accounts, Traffic Technology Services and Chair of the ITE TSMO Council
- Laurie, Matkowski, Director of Connected and Automated Vehicle Services, Gannett Fleming
After deliberation, the judges chose the joint team of the University of Texas, University of Wyoming, and University of Kansas as the winners and designated the Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo team as the runner-up. The winner's solution, in working with District DOT, addressed the non-recurrent congestion challenges facing Washington, DC by developing traveler information systems around work zones and in identifying potential data and modeling needs required to manage special events.
| College/University | Problem Statement | Participating Agency | Materials | Student Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas (Winner) | Using Third-Party Navigation Applications to Improve Transportation Operations Planning for Special Events | District DOT | Student Information | |
| Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo (Runner Up) | Pedestrian Safety | City of Detroit and Michigan DOT | Student Information | |
| Florida International University (Finalist) | Pedestrian Safety in South Florida | City of Gainesville | Student Information | |
| North Dakota State University (Finalist) | Enhancing Traffic Operation and Safety by Providing Train Information Near Highway Rail Grade Crossings | City of Moorhead, Minnesota | Student Information | |
| University of South Florida | Pedestrian Safety Along Arterials | Florida DOT | Solution Document | Student Information |
| Texas A&M University, Team #1 | Using Third-Party Navigation Applications to Improve Transportation Operations Planning for Special Events | District DOT | Solution Document | Student Information |
| Texas A&M University, Team #2 | Reversible and Restricted Lane Operations on Arterial Streets | District DOT | Solution Document | Student Information |
| Oregon State University | Pedestrian Safety in Portland | City of Portland | Solution Document | Student Information |
| University of Nevada - Reno | Updating Safety Service Patrol Routes Using Historical Data to Optimize Response Times |
District DOT |
Solution Document | Student Information |
Where They Are Now
The winning team from the 2018 Tournament gathers at TRB 2019