Data Exchange & Archive
Regional Traffic Management is an important cross-county service that involves the exchange of real-time traffic information. A significant number of vehicle trips in the SCAG region cross one or more county boundaries, highlighting the importance of coordinating network surveillance and information broadcast activities among the different traffic management centers in the region. Projects such as the LA County IEN, RIITS and PeMS highlight efforts to integrate regional traffic management control and information sharing. A brief overview of each project is provided below.
- LA County IEN
The Los Angeles County Information Exchange Network (IEN) is a system developed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) that shares information and control of traffic control systems (TCS) throughout the county. The system is interoperable with different TCS packages by using open architecture components such as a standard software interface to connect the TCS to the IEN. Agencies participating in the IEN can share and access real-time intersection data to support enhanced arterial traffic management, improve traffic operations along multi-jurisdictional corridors and coordinate emergency response. Through 2009, the TCS of eight cities are connected to the IEN backbone, with the IEN and the City of Los Angeles (LADOT) TCS exchanging data through a separate interface. An interface between the IEN and signals in the LA County DPW network is currently being planned.
- RIITS
The Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation System (RIITS) network is the core project within the LA County Regional ITS Architecture that integrates different sources of transportation data from multiple agencies. The RIITS network features interfaces with transit agencies, Caltrans districts, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and LADOT provide a source of transit, freeway, and arterial-based travel information. The RIITS network distributes the data to users through a XML data feed. The RIITS network currently supplies data to the MATIS traveler information service, and other information services providers who distribute the data to the public through a variety of applications. Future plans include new data interfaces with Caltrans Districts in neighboring counties and the Los Angeles County IEN.
LA Metro is currently developing an Archived Data Management Service (ADMS) that that will capture real-time data transmitted through the RIITS network. Ths ADMS will store three years of historical data for all modes of transportation from the various participating agencies. The ADMS database could be will be used to monitor system performance, support regional and corridor-level planning efforts and provide input for project funding applications. The ADMS is expected to support the MATIS program and support performance evaluation for future Express Lanes operations.
- PEMS
The Freeway Performance Measurement System PeMS is a program that was developed jointly by the University of California at Berkeley and the California Department of Transportation to collect historical and real-time freeway data from the various freeway management systems in Caltrans for performance measurement calculations. PeMS is the primary tool for collecting data from loop detectors embedded into the freeway pavement on facilities across the state. The loop detector data is transmitted from Caltrans district traffic management centers over the Caltrans WAN to the PeMS host server which aggregates the data and provides performance measurement tools to review the data on its website. Additional interfaces include information from the CHP computer aided dispatch system (CAD) on incidents and lane closures, Caltrans District CMS messages, and FasTrak readers that report travel time on Bay Area toll facilities.
Real-time and historical traffic data can be accessed from the PeMS web portal for roadways in the SCAG region. Freeway data is collected and distributed by the District 7, 8 and 12 traffic management centers. A limited amount of arterial traffic data is available for the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles.
To learn about data exchange and archiving services in the region, view the information in the Existing and Planned Cross-County Services document and associated Turbo Architecture file.
2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced
Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.
The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.
2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.
Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding
The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.
General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers
The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.
Connect SoCal 2024 Approved
The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 202
Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.
Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program
The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0).
Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update
As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future.
SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines
The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible.
Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment
The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9.
Economic Summit Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy.
Demographic Workshop Program Preview
Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.
SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0
The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds.
Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.
SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly
SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.
SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024
Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.
Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years.