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Our MissionSmartWays Wisconsin is the Wisconsin chapter of ITS America, which was established in 1991 to coordinate the development and deployment of ITS in the United States. The mission of SmartWays Wisconsin is to encourage and support professionals involved in research, technology development, planning, institutional coordination, program deployment, and evaluation of ITS to enhance safety and mobility in Wisconsin. The goals of the chapter are to evaluate and provide technical direction, counsel, and assessment of ITS in Wisconsin; to support and conduct ITS technology research and development; to promote ITS professional development and awareness in Wisconsin; to advocate for ITS; and to facilitate communication among ITS stakeholders in Wisconsin. More complete information is included in the SmartWays Wisconsin Strategic Plan.
SmartWays Wisconsin - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why was SmartWays Wisconsin formed?Developing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Wisconsin requires strong partnerships. Formerly called the Wisconsin ITS Alliance, SmartWays Wisconsin was formed to provide a flexible organization that could facilitate and strengthen these partnerships. SmartWays will provide better access to university resources for technical development, professional development, research, and project and program evaluation. It will strengthen the partnerships between key stakeholders and allow for a joint effort in deploying and evaluating ITS throughout the state. What steps were taken to create SmartWays Wisconsin?The founding organization started as a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and a team of Wisconsin Universities to support the deployment and evaluation of ITS. The founding organizations’ initial work team included WisDOT, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Marquette University. The team expanded to include the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Medical College of Wisconsin. WisDOT worked with other transportation and public safety agencies to implement ITS as a way to make our transportation system more reliable. These transportation operations agencies, the university team and the private industry have formed SmartWays Wisconsin. When did SmartWays Wisconsin become a chapter of ITS America?SmartWays Wisconsin became the official Wisconsin chapter of ITS America in March 2005. What are the mission and goals of SmartWays?The mission of SmartWays Wisconsin is to encourage and support professionals involved in research, technology development, planning, institutional coordination, program deployment and evaluation of ITS to enhance safety and mobility in Wisconsin. The goals of SmartWays are to evaluate and provide technical review, counsel and assessment of ITS in Wisconsin; to support and conduct ITS technology research and development; to promote ITS professional development and awareness in Wisconsin; and to facilitate communication among ITS stakeholders in Wisconsin. More complete information is included in the SmartWays Wisconsin Strategic Plan. What will SmartWays do to support ITS statewide?SmartWays Wisconsin will advocate, sponsor, and conduct activities to increase public understanding and acceptance of proven ITS strategies and tools, and to promote realization of benefits from existing ITS deployments. SmartWays will also evaluate ITS projects through a consistent benefit-cost analytical process, and provide technical support for agencies interested in deploying ITS elements. Finally, SmartWays will enhance professional development opportunities for partnering agencies, and will support initiation and growth of public-private partnerships. What are the benefits of membership in SmartWays Wisconsin?Members of the SmartWays Wisconsin will be provided with current information about the ITS program in Wisconsin and technology developments that affect ITS deployment regionally and nationally. Members will be integrated into guidance of the Wisconsin ITS program, and will be afforded enhanced access to professional development resources. Members will also be effectively linked to Wisconsin and other regional ITS research activities and findings. How does one join SmartWays Wisconsin?For membership information, please contact Todd Szymkowski at szymkowski@engr.wisc.edu or 608-263-2684. You may also download the SmartWays Wisconsin Membership Form here. How is SmartWays organized and governed?SmartWays Wisconsin has recently revised its Bylaws. An important result is that SmartWays is now an official chapter of ITS America. For more information on the SmartWays Bylaws, please contact Todd Szymkowski at szymkowski@engr.wisc.edu or 608-263-2684. Who are the current officers of SmartWays Wisconsin?
How can I obtain more information about SmartWays?To obtain a complete copy of the SmartWays Wisconsin Strategic Plan, the Outreach Plan, the By-Laws, or SmartWays meeting information; please contact Todd Szymkowski at szymkowski@engr.wisc.edu or 608-263-2684.
SmartWays in the CityThrough the use of proven technologies and institutional partnerships
southeastern Wisconsin has been a national pioneer in ITS. Up-to-the-minute traffic information from the center is also posted on variable message boards alone the Interstate offering motorists news of drive times to various locations, announcements of construction ahead, and alternate routes they may take to avoid congestion. The video is also made available to local television stations for their traffic update broadcasts. Ramp meters - signal lights located at on-ramps - are timed to control flow of traffic onto the Interstate. Drivers are also served by freeway patrols. WisDOT, in partnership with the US DOT, local sheriff, police, fire, public works and highway departments and private towing companies work to identify and respond to crashes and breakdowns with the best and quickest emergency services, minimizing clean-up time and congestion caused by these incidents. Less congestion. Safer roads. Easier and smoother travel.
SmartWays for BusinessThe big rigs that travel our state's roadways are a vital part of commerce in Wisconsin and around the country. Our state's system of permitting and regulating those trucks ensures everyone can enjoy our roads safely and efficiently. ITS applications can make that regulatory process more efficient and adds to its effectiveness in keeping our roads safe. Many Wisconsin trucking companies already have onboard safety monitoring systems that monitor the driver, vehicle and cargo, and can alert the driver of any potential safety problems such as driver fatigue, vehicle failure, and shirting of unbalanced cargo. WisDOT is implementing an automated permitting process that will allow motor carriers to electronically obtain necessary credentials, making for easier, faster more efficient processing permits. Less congestion. Safer roads. Easier and smoother travel.ComponentsFreeway management systems have reduced crashes by 24 to 50% while handling 8 to 22% more traffic at speeds 13 to 48% faster than pre-existing congested conditions.
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