Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum (WSRTTIF)

OVERVIEW | HISTORY | CONTACTS | UPDATE | ARCHIVED UPDATES | LINK | FACT SHEET | IMPLEMENTATION | IMPACT

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.

 Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum (WSRTTIF) Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum (WSRTTIF)

Recent Updates:

WSRTTIF Update, 3/27/2018: Registration Opens for the 2018 Forum WSRTTIF Update, 12/19/2017: Submit an Abstract for the 2018 Western States Forum WSRTTIF Update, 10/13/2017: 2017 Forum Continues Tradition of Detailed Discussion on Rural ITS Projects WSRTTIF Update, 05/02/2017: Register for the 2017 Forum! WSRTTIF Update, 12/16/2016: Submit an Abstract for the 2017 Western States Forum WSRTTIF Update, 7/14/2016: 11th Annual Western States Forum Another Success
Registration Opens for the 2018 Forum
March 27th, 2018		 Submit an Abstract for the 2018 Western States Forum
December 19th, 2017		 2017 Forum Continues Tradition of Detailed Discussion on Rural ITS Projects
October 13th, 2017		 Register for the 2017 Forum!
May 2nd, 2017		 Submit an Abstract for the 2017 Western States Forum
December 16th, 2016		 11th Annual Western States Forum Another Success
July 14th, 2016

Check back soon for more Western States Forum updates.

UPDATE: Tuesday, March 27th, 2018

Registration is open for the 2018 Western States Forum!

The 13th annual Forum will be held June 19 – 21 in Yreka, California. The Forum is designed for engineering practitioners and provides ITS implementers and engineers with an opportunity to engage in detailed, technical discussions about innovative ITS engineering projects. Each presentation is one to two hours, allowing speakers to present the nuts and bolts of a project, including details such as source code, equations, and component-level discussion. Questions are encouraged during presentations, further facilitating dialogue and depth. Demonstrations and equipment displays will be an integral part of this year’s agenda. In addition, the Forum provides invaluable opportunities to network and exchange ideas and experiences with peers in an informal atmosphere.

The following technical presentations and demonstrations are currently on the 2018 Forum agenda:

Active Traffic Management System


Blaine Van Dyke, P.E., Michael Burkart
Oregon Department of Transportation

Adapting an Advanced Traffic Management System for Rural Deployment


Ansley Skillern, Amit Misra
Southwest Research Institute

Cellular Communications in Rural Applications


Keith Koeppen, P.E.
Caltrans District 2

DWR Hydrological Weather Stations


Bryan Prestel
California Department of Water Resources

From AWOS/RWIS to Caltrans Aviation Weather Information (AWI)


Douglas Galarus, Melissa Clark, Derek Kantar
WTI/MSU, USU, Caltrans

ITS, Signage, Signals, and Structures Condition Rating Dashboard


Doug Spencer, P.E.
Oregon Department of Transportation

Managing Winter Maintenance Costs and Increasing Safety through an Advanced Weather Visualization Platform


Ira Pray, Robert Koeberlein, Sara Lightbody, Zachary Spielman, Scott Wold
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Transportation Department

Mobile Device App for Maintaining CMS Field Elements


Stephen M. Donecker
UC Davis

UDOT’s Snow and Ice Performance Measure


Jeff Williams, Cody Oppermann
Utah Department of Transportation

With the networking opportunities, in-depth and relevant technical program, excellent location, low cost, and quality facilities, this will be an event you won’t want to miss!

The Forum is only a few months away and attendance is limited. Please register by May 18th! Visit www.westernstatesforum.org or download a brochure for more information and detailed registration instructions.

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
www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/

Steering Committee Member

Douglas Galarus
Program Manager
Systems Engineering, Development & Integration
Western Transportation Institute (WTI)
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 174250
Bozeman, MT 59717-4250
(406) 994-5268
(406) 994-1697 (fax)
dgalarus "at" montana.edu
www.westerntransportationinstitute.org

Steering Committee Member

Sean Campbell, P.E.
Chief, ITS Special Projects Branch
Caltrans, Division of Research, Innovation,
and System Information
PO Box 942873
Sacramento, CA 94273-0001
(916) 227-6259
(916) 657-4580 (fax)
sean.campbell "at" dot.ca.gov
www.dot.ca.gov/newtech/