CAD and ITS working in concert: field tests are integrating advanced traffic management systems with computer-aided dispatch systems to provide real-time information that can improve public safety

Public Roads, Nov-Dec, 2003 by K. Craig Allred

WSDOT plans to integrate CARS with the State patrol's CAD system by creating new systems-integration software with three components. The first component, Primary Alert, is a computer-based interface from the Washington State Patrol to WSDOT. The direct line ensures that a filtered report will appear in the WSDOT CARS within a minute of a transfer from the CAD system. The report will include onscreen map displays of the incident. The filters will ensure that the law enforcement agency releases only necessary and appropriate information to the transportation agency to address privacy and security concerns.

Response Support is the second component of the software. The information provided will help Washington State Patrol dispatchers ensure the most efficient response to the incident location. On a separate Web page that is linked to the State patrol's CAD system, troopers can find information about traffic, construction, or adverse weather conditions that could affect their response.

The final component, Secondary Alert, is a direct computer-based interface to secondary responders. Secondary Alert will reach, among others, emergency medical services, towing and recovery service providers, and utility companies. Secondary Alert will transfer incident information to responders about events in the State patrol CAD system and the WSDOT CARS. The Skagit County emergency medical service is partnering with WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol in the USDOT project. Towing and recovery services already are integrated into incident-response operations through a three-party agreement with WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol.

USDOT Supports Other Integration Efforts

In addition to the CAD/ITS field operational tests, the USDOT ITS Public Safety Program is supporting several other activities to promote the integration of ITS with public safety CAD systems.

* IEEE Standard 1512, Standard for Common Incident Management Message Sets for Use by Emergency Management Centers, provides a common set of automated messaging standards for exchanging vital data concisely, unambiguously, and rapidly. The standard addresses messages related to an emergency incident that are shared among the communications centers of various agencies. The standard is carefully tailored to allow a wide range of local variation in implementation, consistent with the National Intelligent Transportation System Architecture. For more information, visit www.itsstandards.net/Documents/ FSP1512_r2.pdf.

* National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP[TM]). NTCIP is a standardization project funded by FHWA and involving several standardssetting organizations. The project enables electronic traffic-control equipment developed by different manufacturers to operate with one another as a system to reduce the need for reliance on specific equipment vendors and customized one-of-a-kind software. For more information, visit www.ntcip.org.

* National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1221 Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems (NFPA 1221). As a result of USDOT involvement in the ongoing development of this standard, a requirement has been added to the 2002 edition of NFPA 1221 to support automated information exchange between public safety and transportation information systems. The 2002 edition also provides updated information on call-taking and processing, and outlines requirements for portable and mobile radio capabilities. For more information, visit www.nfpa .org/catalog/product.asp?pid=122 102&scr=nfpa&cookie_test=1.