ITS National Associations Working Group
Regional Operations Collaboration and Coordination
Valerie Briggs Kalhammer of Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. described
how cooperative regional partnerships are helping to implement seamless
operations programs at a regional level. Her presentation was based on the
findings of two studies conducted in 1999 and 2000 of regional organizations
practices and of a national conference on the subject in January 2002. Ms.
Kalhammer discussed how the environment since September 11, 2001 has impacted
these partnerships. Finally, she identified steps that FHWA and national
associations can take to advance these partnerships.
In her presentation, Ms. Kalhammer described two regional
partnerships: New York-New Jersey-Connecticut TRANSCOM and Houston
TranStar. The following elements were identified as common to many
regional collaborative partnerships:
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Voluntary collaborative partnership
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Formed to address a specific regional need
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Resource sharing
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Ongoing information sharing and coordination (often using ITS
as a tool)
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Representative governance structure
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Strong leadership by one or more agencies (often the state
DOT)
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Critical role of political and management champions
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Project focused, but sustainable beyond individual
projects
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Growth and development over time
She indicated that proliferation of these partnerships is impeded
by significant institutional challenges. However, realizations made following
September 11, 2001 and subsequent shifting agency focuses favor increased
regional collaboration and cooperation.
At a recent national conference on the subject, the following
actions were identified as "next steps" for national associations to continue to
advance regional partnerships:
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Outreach and education
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Support for professional exchanges
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Research on best practices and needs
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Institutional support at the state and federal
levels.
Ms. Kalhammer co-chairs the TRB/ITS America Joint Subcommittee on
Regional Operating Organizations, which seeks to advance these partnerships. For
additional information, or to be added to the committee's distribution list, Ms.
Kalhammer can be reached at 703-917-2197 or briggs_valerie@bah.com.
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