A $10.1 million TIGER grant announced in mid-September will help launch eight intelligent transportation system (ITS) projects in Washington County, Ore., over the next two years, according to state and local officials. If these measures prove successful, the county could pursue as many as 60 additional ITS projects in the future.
The main goal of the first eight projects—part of the TIGER grant awarded to the Washington County Department of Land Use and Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)—is to improve traffic flow in the region, which serves the Portland airport and a number of major computer and electronics employers.
Measures that will be constructed include:
- Active traffic signal management;
- Transit and truck signal priority improvements;
- Bicycle detection systems; and
- New signal timing and ITS system performance monitoring.
Real-time traffic data will be displayed on a series of new variable message boards, along with suggested speed limits depending on the level of congestion.
Washington County officials are investing in ITS improvements due to major growth in the area both now and in the future. The total cost of improvements could reach $30 million if the county continues to pursue the technology.
