GRITS Chapter Newsletter Fall 2013

CHAPTER NEWSLETTER Fall 2013 IN THIS ISSUE GRITS Annual Meeting A Success in the Big Easy page 3 GRITS Events Recap page 4 ALDOT adds DMS to Better Inform Drivers in and around Montgomery page 5 LADOTD’s “Way to Geaux” App Provides Hands-Free, Eyes-Free Functionality page 6 Mississippi Enters the Smart Workzone page 7 and cont. on page 8 All states advance in ATMS Deployments page 8 Academic Committee Makes Progress page 9 Featured GRITS Recipe page 10

President’s Message We are very excited to share with you all of the latest news and events ongoing in our chapter.

Since our inaugural newsletter, our chapter has hosted several events, including the 2012 National Rural ITS (NRITS) Conference, two regional workshops, and the 2013 Annual Meeting as of late. Each of these meetings provided outstanding programs and showcased GRITS at its finest.

• We hosted approximately 300 attendees and over 50 exhibitors at the 2012 NRITS Conference.

• We gained a total of 26 new members from the workshops, including 9 students, 11 public sector, and 6 private sector.

• We hosted 254 attendees and 55 exhibitors at the 2013 Annual Meeting and added 69 new members, including one student, 53 private sector, and 15 public sector.

• In total, we’ve gained 95 new members. Way to go!

Coming up soon, we will host the Fall 2013 Regional Workshop. The workshop will be held November 5 at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. The focus topic will be Performance Measures. We hope to see you there! To register for the upcoming workshop, visit the GRITS website.

Your GRITS Board of Directors has been “churning butter” to serve the sustainability of the chapter. We conducted the first Board Winter Workshop earlier this year in New Orleans. In addition to annual meeting planning discussions, items covered included committees, long-term strategic planning, awards, and planning for the year’s regional workshops.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the board for their efforts and sacrifices to better serve our chapter. In May, the chapter reserved booth space (Booth 121) in the exhibit hall at the 2013 ITS America Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN to showcase the chapter and promote upcoming chapter events.

-”President’s message cont. on page 2”

2013 Officers and Board of Directors page 10

Newsletter Prepared by GRITS Communications Committee

“-President’s message cont.”

Most recently, the 2013 Annual Meeting occurred September 15-18 in New Orleans, Louisiana. ITS industry professionals gathered in the Big Easy to listen and learn from leading transportation professionals, participate in a variety of technical sessions and panel discussions, join technical tours, and learn about technology solutions, all whilst in a social environment. Thanks to everyone, including meeting sponsors who helped to make this year’s event a success!

Each of you has heard by now that GRITS has partnered with ITSFL and ITSGA to host a Joint Chapter Regional Meeting in Mobile, AL in September 2014. A name-themeeting contest was held, and ITS 3C Summit was selected as the name for this joint effort along with the tag line “Combined Intelligence Working Together for Smarter Transportation.” A planning committee has been formed with representatives from each chapter sharing the workload. The committee makeup can be found in the committees section of our website. Many opportunities of service exist for you to volunteer and help make this meeting a success. We are already receiving word of the buzz about this meeting from the industry, our neighboring DOTs, and many national organizations. ITS America has labeled the meeting as an “Innovative Concept” to meeting planning. Save the Date for the ITS 3C Summit, and visit the ITS 3C Summit website for more information and to stay up to date as meeting developments occur!

Our chapter focus remains chapter outreach. This begins and ends with academics. Our students are the key resource to sustaining this industry’s future. I am proud to announce the chapter awarded three academic scholarships this year to deserving students in the region. The Academic Committee has been working diligently to establish connections at regional colleges and universities and boost interest among students in the GRITS chapter and ITS industry. I encourage each of you to pass along your ideas about student outreach as well as to actively serve the chapter either through committees or elections.

Our chapter needs you - as much as you need our chapter.

I’m not much of a poetry guy, but I want to share something with each of you I read recently. I suspect each of us have experienced one of those end-of-therope days, so I hope that this reflection may provide you wisdom when these occurrences happen.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Now the moral of this story is this: when in your Christian life you find you’re weary of the toilsome grind, don’t get discouraged and go down, but struggle on, no murmur utter, a few more kicks may bring the butter. When you get to the end of your rope, just keep on kicking, hold on to the rope. God has the other end and will not let you go.

-Chris Hilyer

Sincerely, Chris Hilyer, 2013 GRITS President

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

Two young frogs from inland bogs had spent the night drinking.

When morning broke and they awoke, while still their eyes were blinking, A farmer’s pail came to the swale, and caught them quick as a winking.

Before they could gather scattered senses, or breathe a prayer for past offenses, that guiltless man had dumped them into the milk man’s can.

They quickly find their breath will stop unless they swim upon the top.

They swim for life; they kick and swim until their weary eyes grow dim.

Their muscles ache, their breath grows short, and gasping, speaks one weary sport.

“Say old dear, I’ve had enough of life, no more I’ll try it.

Sweet milk is not on my diet.”

“Tut, tut my lad,” the other cries, “a frog’s not dead until he dies.

Let’s keep on kicking, that’s my plan.

We may yet see outside this can.”

“No use, no use,” faint heart replies, turns up his toes and gently dies.

Now the brave frog, undaunted still, kept kicking with a right good will, Until with joy too great to utter he found he had churned a pound of butter.

And climbing upon this hunk of grease, he floated to town with the greatest of ease.

-Unknown

page 2

GRITS Annual Meeting A Success in the Big Easy!

The Gulf Region Intelligent Transportation Society (GRITS) chapter hosted the fourth annual meeting September 15 - 18 at the Marriot on Canal Street in the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Attendees were able to learn from leading transportation professionals, participate in a variety of technical sessions and panel discussions, network and exchange expertise with other attendees, join technical tours, and learn about new and innovative technology solutions in the expansive Exhibit Hall.

This year’s meeting featured a dynamic line up of speakers.

Cedric Grant, Deputy Mayor of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Community Development for the City of New Orleans and Sherri H. LeBas, Secretary of LADOTD provided a welcome address Monday morning to kick off the conference. Mary Brown, Director Government Affairs at Cisco Systems Inc., followed providing the keynote address. Mrs. Brown provided an in-depth look into Cisco in ITS and the 5.9GHz wireless band.

Scott Belcher, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, along with LT. General Russel Honore’ of the US ARMY (Ret.) provided educational and inspirational presentations Monday afternoon. Carlton Dufrechou, General Manager of the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission, addressed attendees Tuesday morning.

This year’s Breakout Technical Sessions examined all areas of the ITS industry, including multi-modal Applications / Transit, Multi-state Coordination / Corridor Management, ITS and Transportation Research, Public Safety, Tolling in Enforcement, Media Interaction and Travel Information, Connected Vehicles, ITS Policy, Legislation, MAP 21, Special Events and Emergency Management, and ITS Technology.

Additionally, attendees enjoyed an Exhibitor Cocktail Hour and Meet and Greet reception, Hurricane Party and Sponsored Night Out. Many participants enjoyed a four-man golf scramble and technical tours.

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

page 3

GRITS EVENTSRecap To view presentations and photos from the meetings, visit the GRITS website.

2012 NRITS CONFERENCE The 2012 National Rural ITS Conference and Gulf Region ITS Annual Meeting occurred September 16 - 19, 2012 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. The dual conference exceeded expectations boasting over 300 attendees from 40 states and two foreign countries (Canada and Australia) as well as over 50 exhibitors. This was the highest recorded attendance for an NRITS annual meeting since 2004.

Attendees joined together to learn, network, and relax while experiencing ITS “Southern Style.” A series of informative and challenging sessions were offered, including a mix of GRITS Track, Safety Track, Transit Track, and general ITS sessions. Industry experts shared best practices, lessons learned and new strategies to ensure further success of ITS. In addition, training workshops and professional tours occurred.

2012 FALL REGIONAL WORKSHOP The 2012 Fall Regional Workshop occurred November 15, 2012 at the Transportation Training and Education Center (TTEC) on Louisiana State University’s campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The workshop focused on Active Traffic Signal Operations.

In order to offer attendees a fresh perspective on the topic, workshop organizers reached beyond the Gulf region to invite ITS professionals from around the country. Brian Hoeft, Director of FAST (Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation) Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, shared his experience with managing the regional traffic system in Las Vegas.

Peter Eng from Tyler, Texas, presented an overview of the ACS Lite system. Charlie Wetzel traveled from Seminole County, Florida to share his knowledge of Trafficware’s SynchroGreen Real-time Adaptive Control System. Tony Tramel and Warren Abadie, both with Lafayette, Louisiana’s Consolidated Government, presented “Blue Tooth Magic, Data Collection, Data Mining and Other Real World Applications – Lafayette Traffic Signal System.”

Lunch was sponsored by Trafficware. To conclude the workshop, elected 2013 Officers and Board of Directors were announced.

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

2013 SPRING REGIONAL WORKSHOP The 2013 Spring Regional Workshop was held March 28, 2013 on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. The workshop, which was co-hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation, focused on Weigh-in-Motion technology and Interagency Coordination in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications.

The workshop consisted of four informative presentations from industry professionals to offer attendees a look into Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology as well as Interagency Coordination. Following an introduction from Tulio Sulbaran, Director of the CLTT (Center for Logistics, Trade AND Transportation), presenters discussed the role WIM technology and Interagency Coordination play in addressing transportation challenges.

Bob Susor, Mettler - Toledo, provided a presentation on Weigh-in-Motion Technology. Bobby Hayes, NeelSchaffer, Inc., reviewed a Weigh-in-Motion Case Study.

Jim Hennessey with the Hattiesburg/Forrest County Emergency Operations Center along with assistance from Tim Bean, Gresham, Smith and Partners, and Joe Baggett, MDOT, provided a presentation about Interagency Cooperation in ITS Applications. To conclude the workshop, Jeff Smith, Temple, Inc., offered attendees an in-depth look into over a decade of ITS planning and implementations in the “Hub City.”

Additionally, lunch was provided for participants courtesy of meeting sponsors: Neel Schaffer, Inc. and Temple, Inc.

Meet and Greet reception at 2012 NRITS Conference and GRITS Annual Meeting

Charlie Wetzel presents at Fall 2012 Regional Workshop

Mobile Command Center on display at Spring 2013 Regional Workshop

page 4

ALDOT adds DMS to Better Inform Drivers in and around Montgomery The Alabama Department of Transportation is installing dynamic message signs at various locations in Montgomery. The signs are to display full color graphics. These will be the first signs in the state to display graphics and colors.

The signs will display traffic incident alerts, travel times, construction information, and AMBER alerts. Additionally, “severe weather alerts will also go up on these message boards,� says ALDOT spokesperson Rebecca Leigh White.

There will be six signs on I-65 and one on Highway 82 East. ALDOT plans to use its newly deployed ATMS Software and Traffic Management Center staff to post messages to the signs, informing travelers of conditions ahead.

The project, which began earlier this year is scheduled for completion in March of 2014.

The signs locations include: -I-65 South north of Pine Level in Autauga County -I-65 South north of State Route 14 in Autauga County -I-65 South just south of the State Route 143 Interchange in Montgomery County -U.S. Highway 82 East (Cobbs Ford Road in front of Jim & Nicks BBQ) in Autauga/Elmore Counties -I-65 North near the Lowndes County Line in Montgomery County -I-65 North near Hyundai Boulevard in Montgomery County -I-65 North near Gateway Park (between South Boulevard and Fairview Avenue) in Montgomery County

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

page 5

LADOTD’s “Way to Geaux” App Provides Hands-Free, Eyes-Free Functionality The Louisiana Department of Transportation’s “Way to Geaux app provides a hands-free, eyes-free, location-based audio traffic alert system. Serving as a companion to the state’s 511 system and traveler information website, www.511la.org , the app streams alerts that are within range of where users are driving. Smartphone users can download the App from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for FREE. Users turn on the app before hitting the road, and active LADOTD advisories are played that are nearby. The application remains on while the user drives to their destination and broadcasts travel alerts within a set-mile range that is customizable by the user. The app is truly hands-free.

Conditions will be broadcast once, and then the broadcast stream will go quiet until: a) there is an update to an advisory in range; b) until you have just come within range of another advisory; or Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

c) a set time period has elapsed (that you get to set) and you want to re-hear all advisories that are still in range Alerts pause upon an incoming call and resume playing when the call has ended. Users can also customize the app to replay advisories at various intervals, whether or not the advisories ahead are only played or in all directions, and the range in miles to play travel alerts.

The app uses the phone’s built in GPS to stream nearby alerts. The phone’s GPS may be turned off and the app will estimate advisories to broadcast.

The GPS may also be turned off from within the app to stop playing advisories.

Search “Way to Geaux” in your smartphone’s app store today to learn more about the app’s features and to download. page 6

MISSISSIPPI ENTERS THE Smart Workzone The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has entered the Smart Work Zone, using Smart Work Zone System (SWZS) to better manage traffic on major roadway construction projects. The first SWZS was deployed last year on the Interstate 55 Split Diamond Interchange project from Old Agency Road to MS 463.

The route which connects the northern suburbs of Madison and Ridgeland and the State’s capitol city of Jackson, is a heavily traveled commuter route, and serves approximately 80,000 vehicles per day.

The project includes widening the interstate, frontage roads, and a new split diamond interchange to accommodate forecasted growth and future developments. Traffic control and construction activities for the project necessitated that lanes would be reduced and traffic shifted head to head for long periods of time. For these reasons, MDOT decided to add a comprehensive SWZS to the project to provide better traffic management, safety, and improved mobility throughout the Construction activities.

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

DESIGN AND BIDDING The SWZS was purposed to provide travel time and queue detection in advance of and throughout the limits of the project construction. MDOT selected a contractor designed solution based on a set of minimum requirements including the number and type of devices, monitoring requirement and operational performance requirements.

Some of these requirements included: • 10 Portable Message Signs • 20 Portable Data Collection Devices • Web-Based Device Control and Monitoring Software A portable system was specified to provide the flexibility to relocated devices during the construction phases. Also general guidelines for sign messages based on speed through the workzone were provided. Travel times were later added to sign message sets, providing motorists an indication of the delays through the workzone.

The construction project was awarded to Hill Brothers Construction, with ASTI as the SWZS sub-contractor.

-”Smart Workzone cont. on page 8”

page 7

-”Smart Workzone cont. “ CONSTRUCTION MONITORING The SWZS includes a web-based control system for device control, monitoring, and data collection, which is accessible by MDOT officials. Traffic volume, speed and occupancy is being recorded and archived.

Speeds are monitored in the construction area and when thresholds are reached upstream, changeable message signs are automatically updated. When traffic slows to 30 miles per hour, the message boards upstream display:

SLOW TRAFFIC AHEAD XX MINS TO HWY 463 When traffic slows to 10 miles per hour the message boards upstream display:

STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD XX MINS TO HWY 463

All states advance in ATMS Deployments

All three member states are currently under deployment with their new statewide traffic management systems solutions. The MDOT ATMS is currently in use by Operations Staff in the Statewide TMC in Jackson and Regional TMC in Hattiesburg. The ALDOT ATMS is scheduled to be in use Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham by early 2014, and LADOTD ATMS is scheduled to be in use by staff in the regional TMCs by early 2014 as well.

Early discussions have been initiated about the sharing of traffic data across state lines to help mitigate traffic congestion and aid in incident management. This cooperative effort will better serve commercial vehicle operations, motorist safety, inclement weather evacuations, etc. Additional discussion between the state DOTs is expected as each draws nearer to completion of their respective system deployments.

The ability of the system to automatically update signs based on MDOT’s defined parameters saves time and reduces operator error. This also allows the system to respond and provide information in real-time to the traveling public.

As with any control system that is not expressly controlled by a person, there are some concerns on the accuracy of the data.

MDOT employees monitor the site daily and will make routine passes through the work zone to make sure the travel times calculated and posted to the signs are correct.

FUTURE OF SWZS IN MISSISSIPPI The archived data collected from the portable sensors can be recalled from the database. This has allowed MDOT to monitor morning rush hour speeds or volume data over a period of a few weeks and get a sense of system performance.

MDOT is now collecting information on a weekly basis and developing performance measures that can be used in future projects to compare the success of traffic control in large urban areas.

As a result, future projects that include Smart Work Zone Systems will be more detailed in design as new technology is introduced in efforts to improve the safety of the public and workers.

- Acey Roberts

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

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Academic Committee Makes Progress The Academic Committee has made great progress this year putting plans into action to introduce students to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and encourage participation in the GRITS chapter.

The Academic Committee is looking to make the GRITS chapter even bigger and better in 2014, and it all starts at the core: colleges and universities. Committee members have been reaching out to colleges and universities around the region with hopes of creating new student chapters comprised of not only traditional civil engineering students but students from other related fields, such as electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and more.

The Academic Committee has also been working to develop the chapter’s scholarship program. The chapter’s Board of Directors approved a budget of $4,500.00 to be allocated to the scholarship program.

The Academic Committee in conjunction with the Training Committee has been collaborating with area professors to develop scholarship opportunities for students.

Three academic scholarships were awarded this year based on academic performance, awards and honors, extracurricular involvement, work experience and a written essay. Scholarship recipients were invited to attend this year’s Annual Meeting for recognition of achievement.

The Academic Committee recognizes that students are the future and lifeline of the chapter. The committee welcomes your support and ideas. If you have questions or suggestions, contact Jake Wimberly, Academic Committee Chair.

2013 Academic Scholarship Recipients

First Place, Subasish Das

Second Place, William Beck

Third Place, Charles LeBeouf

GRITS U Now Up and running GRITS U contains links to a forum for University Students and links to the GRITS Facebook page, Twitter feed and LinkedIn sites. Information on GRITS scholarship programs and past Scholarship recipients is also included. Join or post to a forum, connect to employers and other students all in one place! Visit GRITS U Today!

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

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Featured GRITS Recipe Acey Roberts

“Squeal Good”

SMOKED PORK RIBS AND GRITS The key to this recipe is the topping on the grits that takes it to a whole new level.

GRITS Vice President, Acey Roberts, shares his process for cooking “squeal good” smoked pork ribs.

For the Grits you will need: 2 cups water, or more kosher salt 2 cups milk, or more 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 cup stone-ground grits Heat the water and milk in a saucepan until just simmering. While the milk is heating, put grits into a large mixing bowl and cover with cool water. Stir the grits assertively so that the chaff floats to the top. Skim the surface carefully and remove the chaff. Drain the grits in a fine strainer. Stir grits into the simmering water and milk. Cook, stirring often, until the grits are tender to the bite and have thickened to the consistency of thick oatmeal. As the grits thicken, stir them more often to keep them from sticking and scorching. Regular grits are done in about 20 minutes, but stone-ground require an hour or a little more to cook, and you will have to add additional milk and water as needed. Season the grits generously with salt and stir in the cream and butter. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, until serving. Serve hot.

For this smoked pork ribs, you will need Baby Back Ribs, Mustard base, Dry Rub, and BBQ Sauce. To prepare your meat, trim all of the large pieces of fat off the rib, and pull the white/opaque membrane off the back of the rib.

The sauce or mustard base is where the flavor begins in BBQ. The first step is to use a mustard sauce or “binder” sauce of some type. This sauce provides some marinating action for the meat but mainly holds the dry rub on the meat and creates a “crust” that is so important. You can use any commercially sold rub or search the web for some BBQ dry rub recipes. You can also experiment with your own BBQ sauces made from scratch, or you can use a commercial brand that you like. The key is trying to find a sauce and a dry rub that work together and do not offset each other in taste.

I slap the BBQ sauce on within the last hour of cooking to avoid having the sauce burn and char. If you want more sauce, you can add more after the meat is finished cooking.

For cooking, a wood burning smoker is preferred. I use a wood fire and a thermostat to cook the meat at 250-275 degrees. I smoke the prepared ribs for two hours, uncovered . I then wrap the ribs in tin foil and smoke for another two hours, adding more sauce or dry rub or other liquid here to increase the tenderness as the ribs cook in the tin foil. Then uncover them, baste them in your favorite BBQ sauce and cook them for another 30 to 60 minutes uncovered.

Every hour during cooking, using a sprayer or a baster, I apply a layer of apple juice or white grape juice to keep the ribs moist.

Shred some of the BBQ and serve a generous portion atop a bowl of the steaming hot grits for a delicious side dish or hearty meal.

2013 GRITS Officers & Board of Directors

Officers President

Vice President Secretary

Treasurer

Past President

Chris Hilyer, ALDOT Acey Roberts, MDOT Wayne Curry, Inline Laura Hartley, Gresham Smith and Partners Jonathan Fox, Stantec

Board of Directors

MISSISSISSIPPI ALABAMA Mike Stokes, MDOT Stacey Glass, ALDOT Amrik Singh, MDOT Locke D. “Bubba” Bowden, City of Montgomery Dr. Waheed Uddin, Ole Miss Rod Turochy, Auburn University Ranzy Whiticker, GS&P Jeff Smith, Temple, Inc. Chris Schultz, Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Jon Gifford, Inline

Gulf Region ITS Chapter Newsletter

LOUISIANA Erik Smith, LADOTD Carryn S. Ferrier, LADOTD Dr. Sherif Ishak, LSU Mark Melancon, ITS LLC Lauren Picou, Econolite

EX OFICIO Scott Belcher, ITS America Jeff Dogan, AL FHWA Michael Cribb, MS FHWA Marshall Elizer, GS&P John Broemmelsiek, LA FHWA

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Your Newsletter Submissions are Welcome Do you have a great idea for an upcoming edition of the chapter newsletter? Would you like to see your firm or project featured?

The GRITS newsletter is a great way for you to let your voice be heard! Take advantage of your opportunity as an ITS professional to share your projects, plans or other ITS related information with the GRITS community . If you are aware of information that may be of interest to fellow members, contact us and it may be considered as an article in a future newsletter.

Newsletter Prepared by GRITS Communications Committee Laura E. Hartley - Chair Susan Byrd Acey Roberts Chris Schultz Contact Us at info@gulfregionits.org

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