Telus: this state-of-the-practice software is helping MPOs and DOTs improve their transportation planning

Public Roads, Nov-Dec, 2002 by John W. Epling

New for 2003: A Web TELUS

A Web-enabled version of TELUS is under development, and it will be deployed and tested by the Alabama DOT during the fall and winter of 2002-2003. It should be available nationally by the spring of 2003. The Web version is designed to integrate with an agency's existing TIP/STIP database stored in a relational database management system, such as Oracle[R] or MS SQLServer[R]. The Web server may be running Windows[R], Unix[R], or Linux[R] operating systems, with a Pentium[R] class processor, 128 MB RAM, 30 MB of hard disk space, and permanent Internet access. The "client machines" (i.e., those of the MPOs) simply need Web browsers, such as MS Internet Explorer[R] or Netscape Navigator[R], to access the system.

The Web-enabled version of TELUS, like the desktop version, will be provided at no cost to DOTs and MPOs, but the agency must provide third-party software licenses, such as the operating system, the reporting software, and the GIS software. The DOT can serve as host for the server with the State's MPOs as clients, but the Web-enabled version also could be used by an MPO serving as host with its member local governments serving as clients.

"I like a Web-enabled version of TELUS because it will open the TIP and long-range planning process to even more public involvement," says Steve Ostraseski, Birmingham Regional Planning Commission, AL. "Plus, it will allow MPOs to share data with the State that are difficult to share now, including GIS maps of projects, traffic projections, and project rankings. In general, the sharing of project-level data would be more efficient. It would be helpful, however, if TELUS could be expanded to include long-range plan information. We can do it now with TELUS, but it takes some ingenuity."

Change of Leadership for TELUS

On September 30, 2002, Lou Pignataro left the TELUS project as project director to pursue other ventures. The new director is Dr. Lazar Spasovic, who has been with the NJIT's Institute for Transportation for a number of years. Regarding the change in leadership, FHWA's Fred Ducca says, "Administratively, conceptually, and managerially, TELUS has been exceedingly well run during Lou's tenure. Now that I have had a chance to get to know and work with Lazar during the transition, I am confident that TELUS will continue in this vein."

RELATED ARTICLE: Original Objectives of TELUS

* TELUS must be a comprehensive, relational database for transportation projects that is easy to use and includes all the information necessary to produce the agency's annual transportation improvement program (TIP). It also needed to respond quickly to informational requests.

* There should be decision-support features, including, at least, an economic model and a land-use model, that could help the MPO board decide which projects to include in the TIP and the priority to give them.

* A geographic information system (GIS) should be included that would display the location of projects, both on the computer monitor and on printed maps.