Interstate variable message signs approaching full operations

The Louisiana Dept. of Transportation and Development recently installed 12 variable message signs throughout the state (five around New Orleans, three in Shreveport and two each in the Baton rouge and Lafayette areas) as part of its Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) initiative.

The signs will be used to display "real-time" messages to give motorists advance notification of traffic congestion, accidents, weather-related conditions and other situations that impact travel conditions.

"The goal of ITS is to use innovative technologies to improve the operations of our transportation infrastructure," said DOTD Secretary Kam Movassaghi. "In addition to improving how we communicate with the motoring public, ITS technologist will make our system more effective, efficient and safe."

The signs, installed for $5.8 million, are expected to be fully operational in September and will be managed from the Baton Rouge Advanced Traffic Management and Emergency Operations Center, according to Movassaghi.

Currently, DOTD only has the capability to post "static" messages, which will be used in the event of an emergency or catastrophe.

Amber alerts and ozone alerts may also be posted upon notification from appropriate authorities.

Following notification by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, DOTD will display the message "Ozone Alert Tomorrow" or "Ozone Alert Today" on the Baton Rouge area signs.

DOTD earns C+ on public report card

The Department of Transportation and Development recently issues the results of a statewide customer satisfaction poll. According to DOTD Secretary Kam Movassaghi, the poll was undertaken to learn how the public viewed the services DOTD provides. Overall, the 1,600 respondents gave a grade of C+ to the job being done by DOTD on the state's highway system.

"We did this because we wanted to know what our customers saw as our strengths and weaknesses and which areas we needed to improve. While our overall grade of C+ is not where we want to be, it is certainly a good starting point," he added.

In addition to receiving an overall "fair" grade, DOTD was graded on various components of the state's transportation system, such as traffic flow (C+), pavement conditions (C), bridge conditions (B-), road maintenance (C+), work zones (C) and safety of roads (C+). Respondents were also asked whether the state highway system was better, worse or the same as it was five years ago. Forty-five percent of the respondents said better, 41 percent said the same, 12 percent said worse and 2 percent didn't know.

DOTD had established as a part of its 2002-2006 Strategic Plan to achieve a 60 percent customer satisfaction rate.