Department of Transportation

Mobility and Systems Engineering

Interim Guidelines
As required by Corrective Action Notice (CAN) 073, all projects must comply with the current Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Interim Guidelines. These guidelines are also applicable to all Permit Applicants and Maintenance work when an existing ITS facility is impacted by the proposed construction. These guidelines provide a quick guidance to designers seeking latest updates to the documents involved in various steps and processes that are under revision but not made available yet.

In addition to the New Jersey Statewide ITS Architecture (pdf 3.5m) the following standards are to be used for the deployment of ITS:
  • The Stewardship Agreement (pdf 600k) - Identifies the overall ITS requirements to ensure compliance with the Architecture depending on the level of ITS proposed and type of project. Deployment of standard type ITS facilities such as cameras, signs, Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), traffic detection devices will require less documentation of compliance versus new non-standard type deployments. The required documentation reports may be separate or part of regular project submissions.
  • Capital Delivery Process - Provides criteria for scoping and design submissions for Capital Program Management (CPM) lead projects.
  • Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Delivery Process - Provides criteria for the required submissions for TSM lead projects.
  • TSM Limited Scope Project Delivery Process –This process is to be followed by the designers and is available from the TSM Procedure Manual. It provides criteria for the required design submissions for TSM lead limited scope projects.
  • Electrical/ITS Standard Details – ITS portion of the Standard Electrical Details. All ITS Standard Details currently posted via Baseline Document Change (BDC) dated September 30, 2011 are under revision. Please contact MSE for the latest details to be included in the construction plan set.
  • ITS Sample Plans – Provides guidance on ITS plan presentation. ITS CADD cell libraries are available.
  • Controlled Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Sample Plans and Details – Provides guidance on CTSS plan presentation.
  • Standard Specifications and Standard Input (SI) – Subsection 704 of the 2007 standards is specific to ITS, but common electrical work is under 701 and other related subsections must be checked. The SI also includes Designer Instructions for completing the Special Provisions on a project. Prior to using the SI, please contact MSE for the latest changes required to be incorporated that may not be reflected in the posted SI.
  • ITS Material Specifications - ITS portion of the Electrical Material Specifications. Standard ITS Material specifications of various items are available.
  • Standard Pay Items (pdf 266k)
  • ITS Qualified Product List (QPL) - List of materials that are pre-qualified to meet the general Specifications requirements. ITS instructions are also available.
  • ITS Testing Forms - For inspection and operational testing to complete construction of ITS systems. ITS instructions are also available. Sample ITS Working Drawings are available to Contractors for reference under Contractor Submittals and Forms.
Notice to Developers

Developers and their consultants are required to ensure that their proposed development will not impact existing NJDOT facilities and systems at the time of construction. Mobility Engineering should be contacted throughout the design process to obtain the latest information on any ITS facilities that could be impacted by or impact the construction of the development. For the most recent list of Mobility Engineering contacts, please go to the Departments Subject Matter Expert page under Vendor/Contractor assistance at https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/capital/pd/sme_tsm.shtm.

The following list of ITS includes (but is not limited to) facilities that developers and their consultants should be made aware:
  • Fiber Optic Cable and Conduit
  • Fiber Optic Junction Boxes
  • Adaptive and/or Controlled Traffic Signal Systems. This includes (but is not limited to):
    • System Detectors (radars) at mid-block locations.
    • Traffic signal cabinets and equipment within.
    • Roadside Unit and Connected Vehicle technology.
    • Image Detectors and other advanced devices at the signalized intersections.
  • Optimized traffic signal corridor
  • Other ITS facilities (CSS, ATMS, DMS, etc.)

Mobility Engineering will have the latest information on both existing and planned ITS facilities. Some example scenarios of how ITS facilities can be impacted are described below.

Scenario 1 – Existing traffic signal modification (Optimized Corridor – Existing or Planned)

If an existing traffic signal is being modified in any way that could impact the signal timing / operation, Mobility Engineering should be notified.

1. If it is an existing optimized corridor, then Mobility Engineering is responsible for issuing any new timings. Any changes to timing parameters will have to be approved by Mobility Engineering. If the signal is part of an existing optimized zone, (e.g., 1-10+ signals) then the zone (e.g., all 10+ signals) might have to be re-optimized by the developer’s consultant. Typically, any change to Cycle Length, pedestrian operation, addition of phases, or min green for mainline phase will require a re-optimization. Consult with Mobility Engineering to determine if re-optimization is necessary.

2. If it is a planned optimized corridor, then Mobility Engineering is either (1) planning to or (2) is in the process of optimizing the zone. In this scenario if the permit work will be done before Mobility Engineering’s project, it is important that Mobility Engineering and their consultant obtain the latest and most accurate plans (Traffic Signal, Electrical, and Timing) for the signal. This way the Mobility Engineering project’s optimized models for the corridor can include the proposed changes by the developer and their consultant. If the developers project will be built after Mobility’s Engineering’s proposed optimization efforts are deployed, then the developer is responsible for using the latest Mobility Engineering models for any changes in signal timing/operation as described above.

Scenario 2 – New traffic signal (Optimized Corridor – Existing or Planned)

All the impacts described in Scenario 1 will apply in this scenario and the requirements for re-optimization of an existing optimized zone will be more stringent in this scenario. Additionally, Mobility Engineering will request that the traffic signal facilities proposed at the new signal meet the latest standards and non-standard samples that Mobility Engineering can provide. Some traffic signal facilities that Mobility Engineering will request are (but not limited to):

  • Traffic Signal Cabinet and Generator Auxiliary Cabinet (GAC).
  • Stop bar detection devices.
  • Connected Vehicle conduits and inner ducts.
  • P-MC-GAC foundation.
  • ITS conduit and Junction Boxes (Limited).
Scenario 3 – Existing traffic signal modification (Adaptive or Controlled Corridor – Existing or Planned)
All the impacts described in Scenario 1 will apply in this scenario.

1. If it is an existing controlled or adaptive signal, then all the existing facilities will have to be maintained. This includes the relocation/protection of fiber optic and conduit, and the relocation/protection of all above-ground devices. Any changes to the signal timing may require re-analyzation for the optimized zone for the new timing directives as well as reconfiguration work in the existing adaptive or controlled system, which will require work performed by the vendor for the system. Additionally, testing will be performed on the controlled or adaptive signal following the testing described on the Department’s webpage under Mobility Engineering found at https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/eng/elec/ITS/pdf/Appendices/CTSS%20Adaptive%20Testing%20Forms.pdf.

2. If it is a planned adaptive signal corridor, then the requests made in Scenario 2 will also be made in this scenario. At a minimum, the developer and their consultant should coordinate with Mobility Engineering to ensure the most accurate plans (Traffic Signal, Electrical, and Timing) are used. Multiple versions of the plans may be required in a plan set if it is unclear on whether Mobility Engineering or the developer will be working on the intersection first.

Scenario 4 – New traffic signal (Adaptive or Controlled corridor – Existing or Planned)
All the impacts described in Scenarios 2 and 3 will apply in this scenario.

1. If it is an existing controlled or adaptive signal corridor, then the new signal will have to be fully integrated into the existing system. This will require integration work with the vendor of the existing system and full testing of the new controlled or adaptive signal, as well as analysis on the new signal impact on the existing optimized zone with an optimization analysis.

2. If it is a planned adaptive signal corridor, then the developer and their consultant should coordinate with Mobility Engineering to ensure the latest standards and non-standard samples are being used as well as the proposed optimization models that Mobility Engineering is working on.

The above scenarios are not all-inclusive, and it is understood that many scenarios can be encountered. These scenarios are intended to be informational so the developer and their consultant understand what may be required based on the impacts to the corridor.

References


Last updated date: June 22, 2021 10:54 AM