About
ITS Project Delivery
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Projects follow a standard delivery process established by the Department to aid in all phases of a project's lifecycle. The delivery process is tailored to the type of system being implemented as well as the end goal of the project. The purpose of this webpage is to provide resources for understanding and completing various types of ITS Projects.
Overview of Intelligent Transportations Systems
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) improve transportation safety and mobility through the integration of advanced communications technologies into transportation infrastructure.
The FHWA broadly defines an ITS project as “any project that in whole or in part funds the acquisition of technologies or systems of technologies that provide or significantly contribute to the provision of one or more ITS user services as defined in the National ITS Architecture”.
ITS projects implement technologies through a Systems Engineering approach to meet project requirements and needs, while following a consistent project development process. ITS projects come in many different varieties, but they all include the use of technology such as computers, communications, and sensors; and typically include the exchange of information, either within a system or between systems. Some examples include the installation of optimized and adaptive traffic signal systems, dynamic message signs, and traffic surveillance cameras.
Systems Engineering can be applied to any system development regardless of application or scale. The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines a system as the “combination of interacting elements organized to achieve one or more stated purpose”. The Systems Engineering approach integrates multiple disciplines or specialty groups into a cohesive team concentrating on a structured development process that moves from concept to production to operation. It focuses on defining user needs early in the development process, documenting any requirements, then creating a design while considering the overall problem.
A Systems Engineering analysis is required for all ITS projects using Federal funds according to the Final Rule on Architecture and Standards Conformity. Systems Engineering reduces the risk of schedule delays and budget issues, while increasing the likelihood that the overall project will meet the needs of the user. Systems Engineering also improves stakeholder participation, provides more adaptable systems, and offers the ability to create better documentation during the project’s life cycle. The Systems Engineering approach follows a standard “V” diagram and NJDOT has aligned specific project activities with the steps of the diagram.
The Statewide ITS Architecture aligns statewide ITS efforts with the FHWA and the current governing standards and criteria. It has been created through various stakeholders that develop, operate, and maintain ITS systems within the state of New Jersey. The Statewide Architecture highlights the different potential service packages and ITS elements available for implementation, the participating agencies’ roles and responsibilities, and the applicable ITS standards and testing procedures.
View the Statewide ITS Architecture
The Statewide ITS Architecture has been developed to conform with FHWA Rule 940/FTA Policy on Regional ITS Architectures (Sec 9) to utilize systems engineering documentation for the delivery of ITS projects.
If you are planning an ITS project or other projects that include ITS applications, please fill out the Project Information sheet to update the New Jersey ITS Architecture.
ITS Project Types
CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality) funded ITS projects apply new technology, collect/share data, create communication centers, or improve the overall travel experience by reducing congestion and emissions, minimizing delay, and improving travel times. These projects can follow the TSM Limited Scope Project Delivery Process (Concept Development, Final Design, and Construction) or the CPM Full Scope Project Delivery Process (Concept Development, Preliminary Engineering, Final Design, and Construction).
The TSM Limited Scope Delivery Process was developed and tailored to meet the specific needs for ITS type projects. Typical CMAQ-funded ITS projects following the TSM Limited Scope Project Delivery Process may involve traffic signal optimization, and/or adaptive traffic signal control. All Local Aid Limited Scope ITS projects must follow the Concept Development (CD) phase to establish the purpose and need of the project, develop/vet proposed solutions, and ultimately select a Preliminary Preferred Alternative to advance into Final Design. Projects determined to be full scope will follow the typical CD project delivery path and advance to Preliminary Engineering, followed by Final Design.
View the General Phases & Activities of CMAQ-Funded Limited Scope Projects
If during the CD phase it is determined that ROW acquisitions, environmental permitting, or utility relocations are required and cannot be avoided, NJDOT Mobility Engineering will evaluate whether the project can remain as Limited Scope, or if a Preliminary Engineering (PE) Phase is needed. If a PE phase is required, the project will transition into the CPM Full Scope Project Delivery Process.
Traffic Signal Optimization Projects follow specific guidelines that accompany the TSM Limited Scope Process. These guidelines are intended to assist through the scoping, design, and implementation stages of a typical optimization project.
View the Traffic Signal Optimization Guidelines Flowchart
The Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Procedure Manual (Section F) provides detailed information on the specific steps outlined in the Traffic Signal Optimization Guidelines Flowchart as well as overall guidance on the different tasks that are associated with successfully completing a Traffic Signal Optimization Project.
Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) and CTSS (Controlled Traffic Signal Systems) Projects follow specific guidelines to facilitate their design. These guidelines are to be applied to projects that follow either the CPM Project Delivery Process or the TSM Limited Scope Project Delivery Process. The CTSS Project Guidelines are specific to projects using the CPM Project Delivery Process, so modifications are necessary for limited scope projects.
View the CTSS Project Delivery Process Flowchart
The Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Procedure Manual (Section C.3.7) provides additional information on the specific steps outlined in the CTSS Project Guidelines as well as overall guidance on the different tasks that are associated with successfully completing a CTSS Project.
Most ASCT projects include optimization as an activity before any proposed systems are calibrated. In this case with direction of the NJDOT Project Manager, the designer would be required to perform some (or all) of the tasks described under the Signal Optimization Guidelines outlined in the Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Procedure Manual (Section F) in conjunction with the CTSS Project Guidelines. Depending on the project delivery process (TSM vs CPM), the design team and project manager will selectively adopt guidelines to customize the process. For limited scope projects, all the activities that are listed under the PE phase are either addressed under the Concept Development or Final Design phase.
Project Development Process
Specific resources are available to help facilitate the concept development phase of both limited scope and full scope projects.
View the Concept Development Limited Scope Project Checklist for Optimization Projects
View the Concept Development Limited Scope Project Checklist for Adaptive Projects
View a Sample of a Completed Limited Scope Project Checklist
For TSM Limited Scope Projects, a complete project delivery process network diagram has been developed to aid in successful project delivery. This diagram highlights major project development milestones, as well as a complete list of interim activities which may be customized based on the project type.
View the TSM Limited Scope Process Network Diagram
A complete list of Concept Development, Final Design, and Construction activity descriptions that accompany the TSM Limited Scope Process Network Diagram has been developed for additional information on these activities.
View the TSM Limited Scope Process Activity Descriptions
For Full Scope Projects, several project delivery network diagrams are available that break down the activities in each main phase of the project including Concept Development, Preliminary Engineering, Final Design, and Construction. For ITS exclusive project types, some activities may be omitted based on project needs.
View the Concept Development Phase Network Diagram
View the Preliminary Engineering Phase Network Diagram
One major product of the Concept Development (CD) phase is the CD report. The CD report documents detailed project information, the project’s overall purpose and need, existing conditions/deficiencies, any traffic or crash related studies, and screening for social, economic, and environmental factors. Multiple alternatives are developed within the CD report to address the project needs, evaluating the benefits, impacts, risks, and costs of each. The CD report will document the selection of a Preliminary Preferred Alternative to be advanced to the Preliminary Engineering or Final Design project phase.
The Concept Development phase involves drafting a well-defined and well-justified Purpose and Need Statement focusing on the primary transportation need to be addressed. The Purpose and Need Statement has three main parts: the Purpose, the Need, and the Goals/Objectives of the project. The Need provides data to support the problem statement (Purpose). The Goals/Objectives describe other issues that need to be resolved as part of a successful solution to the problem.
All projects should start with a relevant data collection phase. General guidelines have been developed for conducting data collection efforts to develop consistency and uniformity.
The Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Procedure Manual outlines the process for data collection, the use of existing or previous data, and the deliverables associated the Concept Development and Final Design phases of projects involving installation of ITS assets.
The CTSS Project Guidelines outlines the data collection necessary for adaptive projects, as well as coordination efforts with various NJDOT divisions.
A Systems Engineering Review Form (SERF) is developed during the Concept Development phase of a project that outlines overall objectives and intentions of new installations and can include a Systems Engineering analysis. The form acts as a “living”
document and is updated through the Final Design phase.
View Instructions for Completing the SERF
Projects that intend to implement Controlled Traffic Signal Systems (CTSS) that include Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) are to utilize specific systems engineering documents to help NJDOT confirm that expectations are realistic and achievable before committing to a specific system.
View the CTSS Systems Engineering Analysis Template
View the FHWA’s Model Documents for ASCT
If existing ITS facilities are being replaced “in-kind” either with the same model or a newer model of the device, a SERF is not required. An updated SERF description is typically required when any change in the number of devices is proposed, or there is a change to the original need and function.
When a project is part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), part of the scoping process includes the completion of the Categorical Exclusion Document. This document outlines the general information of the project, the overall project description, and all environmental considerations. After reviewing the environmental screening, the Bureau of Environmental Program Resources determines what environmental document will be needed. Limited Scope Projects are usually classified as self-certified Categorical Exclusion.
View More Info for Procedures for Federal Aid
View the Categorical Exclusion Document
Other Resources
The NJDOT maintains an inventory of existing ITS devices cataloged by device type, state route, and county. Many of these locations can serve as tie-in points to the overall NJDOT communication network, but coordination and approval is required.
As-Built information is used to confirm any potential impacts with proposed devices. A Plan Request Form along with an email to the NJDOT Engineering Documents Unit is required to obtain As-Built information. Additional requests to NJDOT Mobility Engineering and NJDOT Bureau of Traffic Engineering may be required to obtain specific ITS and electrical as-builts. For NJDOT employees, self-service access to plans is available on the NJDOT Intranet. As-Built information reflects the latest record of construction and provides the most accurate final locations of what was installed on previous projects.
The Transportation Systems Management Procedure Manual (TSM) has been prepared for use by designers and other stakeholders including NJDOT staff to ensure consistency in the design process of various ITS facilities. The TSM also links to many external resources and provides guidance to users of the steps involved in any project’s lifecycle, including those involved with Local Aid.
The NJDOT has prepared an extensive set of sample plans to aid in consistency for all NJDOT projects. The CTSS sample plans include several elements that must be included within the contract documents such as plan views, system block diagrams, equipment wiring diagrams, fiber assignment diagrams, and load center wiring diagrams. Traffic Signal Installation and Electrical sample plans are also available.
Standard construction drawings and details have also been prepared for use in NJDOT projects. The prepared examples are available in both PDF & DGN formats and can be modified as needed for a projects’ needs.
NJDOT has prepared standard specifications that are applicable to all projects. If a project requires an additional material specification or modification to the existing specifications, a draft and proposed warrant should be submitted to ME for approval prior to the Final Design Submission.
View the List of ITS Material Specifications
An all-encompassing list of standard pay items has been developed to be used in preparing plans, specifications, and engineering estimates that accompany the standard specifications.
View the Current Pay Item List (2019)
NJDOT lists the ITS materials that are pre-qualified for use on projects. Materials must be approved for each project for the specifics of the contract documents.