Roles and Responsibilities
This page documents each stakeholder's current and future roles and responsibilities in the operation of the regional transportation system across a range of transportation services and related support services.
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Archived Data Systems (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Various traffic, transit, parking and traveler information systems are in use throughout the region by multiple sponsors. |
| Electronic Toll Collection (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Electronic tolling using the EZPass system on Pennsylvania Turnpike facilities; electronic parking payment at equipped locations – Pittsburgh Parking Authority garages,on–street parking kiosks (PPA) in the City of Pittsburgh and parking facilities at the Pittsburgh International Airport; multiple transit agency sponsors of the ConnectCard transit fare payment system sponsored by the Port Authority of Allegheny County. |
| Emergency Management (SWPA ITS Architecture) | A full range of emergency management services is provided in southwestern Pennsylvania by a broad assortment of cooperating agencies: PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police, PEMA/Homeland Security and Turnpike Commission support for interstate travelers and emergency response planning and implementation; County EMS/911 and Local Government (Municipal) offices and responders for the entire transportation network. There is a large regional presence of volunteer fire and rescue companies meeting local first–responder needs. The Port Authority provides emergency response services for its own extensive network of transit facilities including passenger facilities and garages, busways/tunnels, light rail/subway facilities and an HOV facility. The Pittsburgh International Airport is serviced by emergency response systems and personnel provided by the Allegheny County Airport Authority. |
| Freeway Management (SWPA ITS Architecture) | The TMC is part of an Advanced Traveler Information System, providing information that is gathered from the highways in the metropolitan area to customers, media, and transportation partners. PennDOT uses the Internet, 90 closed circuit television cameras, over–height truck detection sensors, automated reversible HOV lanes, eight Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) transmitters, and 24 variable message signs to keep traffic flowing in the ten–county area of southwestern Pennsylvania. Feeds from the cameras are also provided to local TV stations for use during newscasts. PennDOT staffs at the Traffic Management Center monitor conditions on I–79, I–279, I–376, I–579, PA 51, and the West End Bridge with the help of closed circuit television cameras. With a bird's eye view of traffic, staff can quickly spot problems and immediately alert the Parkway Service Patrol and Pennsylvania State Police of an incident. Local traffic services, such as KDKA AM and Metro Traffic, are also alerted so they may pass along news to drivers. Emergency agencies are also alerted in cases of fire or serious accidents. The need for the Traffic Management Center was made none so clearly than during the G–20 Summit in September 2009. The TMC facilitated the movement of dignitaries' motorcades from Pittsburgh International Airport to downtown Pittsburgh by coordinating complete closures of, and various downtown ramps to and from, the Penn–Lincoln Parkway. The PennDOT Parkway Service Patrol is the hands–on portion of traffic control in Pittsburgh. The fleet consists of GMC Twin Line Lift tow trucks equipped with emergency lights and arrow boards. The trucks continually patrol I–279, I–376, and I–579 between the hours of 6 AM to 9 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM. |
| Incident Management (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Regional stakeholders will respond to incidents, provide resources, and provide dispatching and communications. |
| Maintenance and Construction (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Perform roadway construction and maintenance activites and winter maintenance within the region. |
| Parking Management (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Provide and maintain spaces for vehicle parking |
| Surface Street Management (SWPA ITS Architecture) | The associated stakeholders operate, and maintain signal control and other forms of traffic control devices. |
| Transit Services (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Provide demand responsive and fixed route transit services with the region. |
| Traveler Information (SWPA ITS Architecture) | Multiple agencies in the region and beyond have significant roles (or prospective roles) in providing information to regional travelers. The collective efforts of these agencies are included in the ITS Architecture as the Regional Traveler Information System: PennDOT – 511PA, 511PA Pittsburgh, District Offices, County Maintenance Offices and the Region TMC (includes Mobility Technologies) Turnpike Traveler Information Google – Trip planning–Navigation–Traffic Information Pittsburgh Traveler Information Cranberry Traveler Information Pittsburgh Parking Authority and ParkPittsburgh partners Pittsburgh International Airport Community Traveler Information – ACTA, PDP, Oakland TMA, SPC CommuteInfo Ridesharing, PPC / Freight Travel Information–River Terminals Regional Transit Traveler Information – Port Authority of Allegheny County and multiple other transit service providers Regional Media Outlets Other local government partners share traffic, incident, construction and maintenance information on a regular basis but not necessarily in an ITS–related format. |