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.
CONNECT SOCAL 2024 SUBCOMMITTEES
In September 2022, SCAG launched three subcommittees to look at emerging issues for the Connect SoCal 2024 plan.
The Resilience and Conservation subcommittee, and the Racial Equity and Regional Planning subcommittee concluded last month, and members of both committees unanimously approved a set of recommendations.
The Next Generation Infrastructure subcommittee will meet on Feb. 15 to review their key findings and finalize their own recommendations.
10 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING SUPPORTIVE GRANT APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
In addition to Permanent Local Housing Allocation application assistance, SCAG is offering technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for housing-supportive funding.
State Agency Meetings
On Nov. 8 and 9, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson traveled to Sacramento for a series of meetings with executive leadership at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Office of Planning Research (OPR), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Continuing development of the REAP 2.0 program, staff have been conducting outreach to identify priorities for transformative planning and implementation. This has included engaging representatives from disadvantaged and rural communities on their participation in the program. Most recently, staff hosted virtual workshops to provide information and collect feedback from tribal entities and the public.
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Since the approval of the REAP 2.0 Program Framework by the Regional Council (RC) in July, staff has continued outreach efforts to develop specific programs using the framework as a guiding document.
33rd Annual Demographic Workshop Dates Announced
The 33rd Annual Demographic Workshop, co-hosted by SCAG and the University of Southern California, will be held virtually on the afternoons of Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. This year’s workshop will explore the demographic trends that have and have not bounced back following the COVID-19 pandemic, how different populations have experienced the rebound in different ways, and the impact of remote work and other emerging trends in our cities. More information will be available soon.
President Harnik Shares Region’s Housing and Transportation Priorities
SCAG President Jan Harnik had the pleasure of hosting a recent meeting with Senate Transportation Committee Chair Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to discuss our region’s housing and transportation budget priorities, such as the Regional Council’s support for an augmentation to the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and using budget surplus dollars to fully fund the Active Transportation Program.
State Housing Funds Awarded to 29 SCAG Jurisdictions
The California Department of Housing and Community Development approved another 35 jurisdictions for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, bringing the total to 135 jurisdictions state-wide. Specifically, 29 of the 35 jurisdictions are located in the SCAG region and totaled another $49.4 million in homelessness and affordable housing funds for PLHA’s second round. Total SCAG awards for PLHA’s second round are $121.9 million for 54 jurisdictions.
REGISTER FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SCAG’s 57th Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 5–6. Register today for access to high-quality presentations and panels, featuring engaging speakers and thought leaders, and unbeatable networking opportunities filled with collaborative, solution-oriented discussions on fostering change and addressing challenges in our communities.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW OPEN!
Join Southern California’s most influential elected officials and policymakers on May 5–6, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This two-day event will focus on solution-oriented discussions to address the most pressing problems facing communities, businesses, and families throughout the SCAG region. General admission tickets for the event are $350, but registrations done in advance by Thursday, March 31 using the code EARLYBIRD will receive $100 off the general admission price.
The February 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.
The January 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.