The 19th Western States Rural Transportation Technology Implementers Forum (the Western States Forum or WSF), held in June in Yreka, California, focused on advancing Rural ITS and highlighted implementation of cutting-edge technology and projects. Tailored to engineers and technicians, the Forum was an opportunity to share in-depth, technical solutions to rural transportation challenges. Trust is a key tenet of every Forum, and the event’s small, informal atmosphere, invite-only guest list, and absence of vendors kept presentations and discussions detailed and open. This year’s event hosted 35 attendees, including 14 first-timers, from seven states and a range of DOTs, universities, and research organizations.

This year’s technical agenda featured presentations and demonstrations from the following organizations:

• Caltrans District 2, Caltrans Electrical Quality Assurance and Source Inspection (EQASI) Branch, and Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction (AHMCT) at UC Davis shared their experience using fuel cell technology to power Transportation Management System (TMS) elements during Public Safety Power Shutoff events.
• The University of California’s AHMCT evaluated the use of Starlink satellite broadband communications for the first Caltrans Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) field elements test sites in Caltrans District 2.
• The Nevada DOT discussed their deployment of a novel luminaire control system that uses power line carrier control technology to optimize performance and efficiency, usage, and longevity in the Carlin Tunnel on Interstate 80.
• Washington State DOT discussed the Virtual Coordination Center (VCC), a web-based incident management tool that facilitates real-time data sharing and coordination between agencies. They included a system demonstrated that give participants a practical look at the project.
• Utah DOT provided an update on their 2021 wrong-way driving detection system presentation, including a system demonstration.
• Caltrans and the Western States Rural Transportation Consortium (WSRTC) created the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for Rural Traveler Information, a multi-phased research and development effort that has had different aspects presented at the Forum in the past. This year, Montana Tech (a WSRTC member) explained how collecting and analyzing usage data impacts the running and maintenance of the OSS. They also discussed how well the OSS achieves its intended goals.
• The Southwest Research Institute presented on their efforts to develop and implement Variable Speed Limit (VSL) and Lane Control Sign (LCS) applications in partnership with state DOTs.

WTI has coordinated the Forum since its inception in 2006. The event is supported by the WSRTC, a transportation pooled fund consisting of five Western States—California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Washington (lead state). Since 2006, the Forum has hosted nearly 700 participants from 14 states and Washington D.C., representing 10 DOTs, 13 universities, all 12 Caltrans districts and multiple Caltrans divisions/offices, and other organizations involved in rural ITS implementation.

Check out the Forum website for technical content and images from past events: https://www.westernstatesforum.org/Default.html.