Strategic Deployment Plan - sacog

7.5 Mainstreaming
“Mainstreaming”refers to processes that provide for the systematic and strategic consideration of
ITS in all aspects of transportation planning whether it is being done on a local, corridor or regional
level, or specifically tied to smart growth projects. Since planning is the underpinning of
investment decisions, identification of transportation projects and ITS components within those
projects need to emanate from the planning process. This will result in the incorporation of
technologies into the future transportation system as projects are delivered.
The goal of mainstreaming is to ensure that ITS strategies and technologies are an integral
component of the metropolitan transportation planning and programming process and are
incorporated into the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Metropolitan Transportation
Improvement Program (MTIP).
Both processes should incorporate ITS solutions that work with existing and planned systems,
complement the existing transportation infrastructure, and work with other investments. Thus, ITS
should not be presented or perceived as an alternative to conventional transportation investments,
but seen as a part of conventional transportation programs and projects. To achieve this goal, the
project stakeholders should institutionalize ITS into the transportation planning and programming
process and address the use of advanced technology solutions as a routine part of the transportation
decision making process.
Strategies that assist in “mainstreaming” ITS include the use of committees with regional
stakeholders, education of policymakers, staff and the public; inclusion of ITS in planning
documents; a program of regional projects; and methodologies to encourage consideration of
advanced technology into transportation investment alternatives. Some project stakeholders have
already initiated or undertaken many of these strategies. Below is a brief overview of what has
already been undertaken and recommendations for furthering the “mainstreaming”process.
The “mainstreaming”of ITS into the metropolitan transportation planning process was initiated by
SACOG during the development of the 1999 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and was
expanded in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2025. ITS was incorporated in the SACOG
MTP for 2025 in an appendix titled “ITS Strategies”which includes a historical overview of ITS
planning and requirements, current planning and development activities, and major ITS projects
included in the MTP.
In addition, SACOG has implemented a series of projects over the past 10 years to bring ITS to the
attention of both local staff and policymakers as a potential solution to congestion and safety
issues. The ITS Partnership, a group of staff engaged in traffic operations from cities, counties,
transit operators and Caltrans was formed to serve as an advisory group to the SACOG Board on
ITS matters and to bring the discussion on ITS integration to a regional level. SACOG has
undertaken educational activities by developing an ITS video, conducting a tour of existing and
planned ITS facilities in the region, and providing opportunities for policy Board members to
participate in tours of ITS facilities in other metropolitan areas. Through the work of the Regional
ITS Partnership, a number of studies have been undertaken that lay the groundwork for a regionally
integrated ITS system, project deployment, and use of federal earmarks.
SACOG’s member agencies and transportation partners also have taken steps to create a climate
for technical staff and policy makers to consider ITS as a candidate solution for identified
transportation problems both at the local and regional level. Many jurisdictions have developed
ITS master plans and have incorporated ITS into traditional transportation projects. One example
of member agency support for integrating ITS into corridor planning is found in the analytical
approach taken in the Mobility Strategies Study recently completed by the County of Sacramento
097860000 SACOG ITS Strategic Deployment Plan
138 Final Report
September 2005