EFFECTIVE RURAL ITS OUTREACH: THE CALIFORNIA PROGRAM FOR ADVANCING RURAL TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE

In an effort to improve the efficiency, safety, and mobility of California's transportation system, the Advanced Transportation Systems program was developed to provide innovative solutions to existing transportation problems. In 1992, a rural component to this program was initiated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). This rural program was designed to examine rural concerns with respect to Advanced Transportation Systems and was entitled Program for Advancing Rural Transportation Technologies (PARTT). The importance of PARTT in investigating rural concerns is evident when considering the following national and state rural statistics: Rural roads constitute 80% of the national road miles (52% in California). While a majority of the road miles are rural, only 40% of the national vehicle miles traveled occur on rural roads (19% in California). 58% of the fatalities caused by automobile accidents occur within this small portion of the vehicle miles traveled (53% in California). Emergency response time in rural areas is almost double that of urban areas in California and nationally. Nationally, rural roads typically also have: 150 miles average trip length; 78% travelers on pleasure trip; higher average age driving population than urban centers; more difficult terrain and changing weather conditions; 66% of rural communities have little or no transit service; 1 in 9 households are without a private vehicle; commercial vehicles are essential to economic development; substandard alignment due to limited funding; long, isolated areas with limited service; large number of recreation areas, mixing unfamiliar motorists with commuter and truck traffic; and sparse populations. The purpose of this report is to broadly document the transportation needs and concerns of California's rural transportation system; identify possible advanced transportation technologies to enhance the safety and efficiency of those systems; review national and California rural research initiatives; identify key issues and potential funding opportunities; and recommend conceptual ideas for further activities. The goal of this project is to provide background for building a successful Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program that meets stakeholder needs.