Systems Technology

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

The Systems Technology Group supports Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) throughout Arizona and Freeway Management Systems (FMS) in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Staff stays on the leading edge of technology, working with ITS equipment such as ramp meters.

At on-ramps, ramp meters spread the amount of traffic entering the freeway over time to improve merging and to increase freeway speeds. The green and red lights are programmed to vary in duration depending on the volume and speed of traffic on the freeway and the on-ramp. A complex process of corridor evaluations are involved in determining the location and timing pattern of the ramp meters. Ramp meters improve both traffic safety and traffic flow.