Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum (WSRTTIF)

What does it take to make Rural ITS work? It takes technical excellence across a variety of skill areas. It takes creativity. It also helps to learn from the experiences of others. The challenges in making Rural ITS work are significant. Therefore, it’s important for ITS technology practitioners to be able to meet in order to share what they’ve learned and help advance the state-of-the-practice.

Starting in 2006, the Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum has provided ITS implementers and engineers from the western states region with valuable opportunities for detailed dialogue about some innovative engineering and communications projects designed to support the rural transportation system. The Forum is valuable, not only for the detailed and knowledgeable presentations and demonstrations, but also for the times outside of sessions where participants can network with their peers from other districts and states.

The Western States Forum is unique. Speakers are given an extended amount of time to really delve into the nuts and bolts of how a project works, whether it relates to equations, source code, component-level discussion, or lessons learned. Questions and discussion are encouraged throughout and not just at the end of a presentation or demonstration. High quality technical content, discussion, transparency and trust are the main goals of the Forum.

WSF participants look at system components during a technical presentation. WSF speaker Matt Neeley holds a vehicle detection system component during discussion at the Forum.

Recent Updates:

19th Annual Forum logo, link A seated audience watching a presentation, thumbnail, link 19th Annual logo snow covered mountain winding road, thumbnail, link 2024 Western States Forum Save the Date postcard front, thumbnail, link Group of people seated at tables looking towards a speaker in the front, thumbnail, link A man gesturing with arms open standing in the middle of a group of people seated at round tables, link
It's time to register for the 2024 Forum!
March 27th, 2024
2023 Western States Forum Review
February 2nd, 2024
Now’s the time to submit an abstract for the 2024 Forum!
December 22nd, 2023
Mark your calendar for the 2024 Western States Forum!
October 18th, 2023
Report on the 2022 Western States Forum
January 31st, 2023
Report on the 2021 Western States Forum
January 31st, 2023

Check back soon for more Western States Forum updates.


UPDATE: Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

It's time to register for the 2024 Forum!

2024 Western States Forum logo

The 2024 Western States Forum will be held on June 18th-20th, 2024, in Yreka, California. The Forum will feature two days of technical content and demonstrations, and you can register now!

This year's presentations will include:

  • Evaluation of Starlink Satellite Broadband Communications for Caltrans ITS
    Saeid Delshad
    Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) Research Center, University of California Davis

  • Let There Be Light
    Kevin Maxwell, Eric MacGill, Frederick Tydeman
    Nevada Department of Transportation

  • OSS by the Numbers - Analytics and Their Use On the One-Stop-Shop for Rural Traveler Information
    Douglas Galarus
    Montana Technological University

  • Streamlining ITS: Unifying Variable Speed Limits and Lane Control Across State Agencies
    Ansley Skillern
    Southwest Research Institute

  • Utilizing Fuel Cell Technology to Power Transportation Management System Elements During Public Safety Power Shutoff Events
    Jeremiah Pearce, Dave Torick, and Justin Ellis
    Caltrans District 2, AHMCT UC Davis, Caltrans

  • Washington’s Virtual Coordination Center (VCC) Platform
    Deanna Brewer
    Washington State Department of Transportation

  • Wrong-Way Driver (WWD) Detection System Pilot Project Update
    Tyler Laing
    Utah Department of Transportation

The Forum is unique in that participants are encouraged to ask questions during presentations, which generates relevant technical conversations. Networking opportunities and extended breaks between presentations provide additional opportunities for the exchange of information and ideas.

A man raises his hand while watching a presentation. A man holds a microphone and speaks to an audience in front of a projector.

You can find technical content from past Forums, along with photo galleries and event schedules on the WSF Past Forums page.

The Forum offers:

  • Networking opportunities
  • Detailed and relevant technical presentations
  • Technical demonstrations and discussions
  • Excellent location and quality facilities

The Western States Forum is supported by the Western States Rural Transportation Consortium (WSRTC), which keeps the event affordable. There is no registration fee, all meals are provided, and lodging is available at the state government rate.

Please complete your registration by May 17th, 2024.

Sign up now on the Forum Registration page or via the Forum brochure. Attendance is limited and registration will close after the maximum number of attendees is reached or on May 17th, whichever comes first.

You can find lodging information, maps and directions, things to do around Yreka, and previous presentations on the Forum website.

See you in Yreka this summer!

QR code, WSF 2024 Registration

Register for the 2024 Western States Forum


Project Contacts:

Steering Committee Member:

Leann A.F. Koon
Research Associate
Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 174250
Bozeman, MT 59717-4250
(406) 994-7643
(406) 994-1697 (fax)
leann.koon "at" montana.edu
www.westerntransportationinstitute.org

Steering Committee Member:

Jeremiah Pearce, P.E.
Chief, Office of ITS Engineering and Support
Caltrans District 2
1657 Riverside Drive, MS-14
Redding, CA 96001
(530) 225-3320
(530) 225-3255 (fax)
jeremiah.pearce "at" dot.ca.gov
https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-2

Steering Committee Member:

Douglas Galarus
Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science
Montana Tech
Museum 202
1300 West Park Street
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 496-4858
dgalarus "at" mtech.edu
https://cs.mtech.edu/

Steering Committee Member:

Andres Chavez, P.E.
Chief, ITS Special Projects Branch
Caltrans, Division of Research, Innovation,
and System Information
PO Box 942873
Sacramento, CA 94273-0001
(530) 780-6877
andres.chavez "at" dot.ca.gov
https://dot.ca.gov/programs/research-innovation-system-information