ITS MODEL DEPLOYMENT: THE PHOENIX EXPERIENCE

The Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area is one of four Model Deployment Initiative projects. Known as AZTech, it is a public/private partnership which will introduce the public to the benefits of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) products and services. AZTech will also serve as a showcase to encourage key local decision makers from other urban areas to pursue ITS technologies as a tool for solving their transportation problems. This paper describes the technology elements of the Phoenix Model Deployment, funding, private sector participation, and new institutional and partnership arrangements. Eight Traffic Operations Centers will be linked together. Eight high priority arterial corridors, totaling 160 mi (257 km), will be instrumented with detection and closed circuit television cameras to provide for surface street traffic management. A privatized integrated traveler information system will also be created. Total funding of $34.5 million is available on this project, including $3.6 million from the private sector. Three private sector teams will serve as the systems integrator, the information service provider and a provider of communications infrastructure. Creating a public/private partnership with several public sector members and multiple private sector organizations is a new experience. The paper describes the experience to date in creating and maintaining a public/private partnership.