Rural ITS deployments have become increasingly complex in order to adequately address the challenges that rural transportation presents. A greater number and variety of field devices are being utilized to improve the safety and operations of rural travel. To realize the full benefits of rural ITS, engineers as well as technicians must not only be aware of what technologies are available, but especially how to best select, implement, and maintain those technologies. Due to challenges presented by rural ITS communications, there is a clear need for an educational curriculum that addresses rural ITS communications engineering across the board with a hands-on approach. At the least, this curriculum should be designed to address underlying rural ITS engineering and design principles, available technologies, and practical applications for those technologies. To best present the curriculum the literature suggests it should be taught by subject matter experts who can bring their own experiences and best practices into the classroom. This project is the fourth phase of an ongoing collaboration with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to determine the detailed content of prospective courses for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) engineers at Caltrans.

This project will have an educational and professional capacity building focus and its primary goal is to have leading subject matter experts provide a hands-on learning experience in communications for rural ITS engineers and technicians. The specific objectives are to:

1. Re-examine and update the curriculum scope and sequence developed in Phases 1-4 of this project.

2. Select Rural ITS communications courses that address Caltrans’ needs and build the professional capabilities of rural ITS engineers for designing, deploying, and maintaining reliable and robust communication networks for rural ITS field equipment.

3. Organize, administer, and deliver five to six full days of new training on communication systems for Rural ITS.

4. Assist Caltrans in procuring five courses directly.

5. Evaluate the training / courses in light of the comprehensive training curriculum.