Transportation system worthy of medal at Olympicssalt lake city olympics transportationwww.utahcommuterlink.com1. What is CommuterLink? 2. How does CommuterLink work? 3. How did CommuterLink begin? 4. How is CommuterLink funded? 5. How effective is CommuterLink? 6. Does this mean I'll never have to stop at a red light again? 7. Why does Utah need ComuterLink? 8. Will CommuterLink save me money? 9. How does CommuterLink enhance safety? 10. Is CommuterLink a law enforcement tool? 11. Will the camera footage be recorded and saved? 12. How can I find out if there is a transportation problem along my route? 13. What is the 511 travel information line and how does it work? 14. What is connection protection and how does it work? 15. Why are the electronic roadway signs blank most of the time? 16. What is the Amber Alert? How is it related to Commuterlink? 17. How will CommuterLink change over time? 18. Can I tour the Traffic Operations Center or get more information? 19. Do the map pages automatically refresh? 20. What is the best browser to use when viewing the CommuterLink Web Site? 1. WHAT IS COMMUTERLINK? CommuterLink is an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that uses technology to save lives, time, and money. It is a computer-controlled system designed to monitor and manage traffic flow on freeways and surface streets.System components include closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, electronic roadway signs (ERS), the 511 Travel Information Line, coordinated traffic signals, ramp meters, traffic speed and volume sensors, pavement sensors, and weather sensors.2. HOW DOES COMMUTERLINK WORK? Using closed-circuit TV cameras, traffic and weather sensors, coordinated traffic signals, and ramp meters, operators in the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Traffic Operation Center (TOC) monitor and manage traffic flow on surface streets and freeways. The UDOT TOC is connected to smaller Traffic Control Centers (TCCs) in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, as well as UTA's three Radio Control Centers. All these agencies work together to improve travel along the Wasatch Front. The traffic, weather,and accident information collected at the TOC is communicated to Utahtravelers via the 511 Travel Information Line, electronic roadway signs, radio, television, and the Internet. This information helps travelers 適 now Before They Go適and allows them to make informed transportation decisions.3. HOW DID COMMUTERLINK BEGIN? As Utah continues to grow, so does the challenge of mobility. In 1995, the Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 1995-12, which addressed Utah's transportation challenges by establishing a Traffic Management Committee towork with UDOT in implementing Traffic Management Systems on state highways. The Traffic Management Committee (TMC) consists of representatives from Salt Lake City, UDOT, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Mountainlands Association of Governments, Salt Lake County, the Department of Public Safety, and the Utah Department of Air Quality. This committee recognized the benefits of using an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to manage traffic flow and improve the efficiency of existing roads. The Utah Transit Authority and the Federal Highway Administration also partnered with the TMC as additional ITS possibilities were explored. CommuterLink is made possible through the cooperation of these public agencies.4. HOW IS COMMUTERLINK FUNDED? The total cost to implement the initial phase of CommuterLink was $70 million適$1 million in local funds, $52 million in state funds, and $17 million in federal funds.5. HOW EFFECTIVE IS COMMUTERLINK? In its first years of operation, CommuterLink has proven its effectiveness. Thesystem has already helped increase peak-hour freeway speeds by 20% and reduce freeway delays, traffic signal stops, and intersection delays by 36%, 15%, and 27%, respectively. And this is just the beginning of what CommuterLink has to offer. 6. DOES THIS MEAN I NEVER HAVE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AGAIN? Although CommuterLink cannot guarantee you will only get green lights, the system does help make traveling along the Wasatch Front more efficient. CommuterLink has already helped reduce traffic signal stops by 15%. It has also helped reduce intersection delays by 27 %. Continued benefits are anticipated as the timing at more and more intersections is updated.7. WHY DOES UTAH NEED COMMUTERLINK? CommuterLink has already improved the safety and efficiency of transportation all along the Wasatch Front. Many Utah cities and towns are experiencing significant population growth, with the accompanying traffic congestion and economic impacts. CommuterLink is a cost-effective and efficient solution to help relieve congestion on roads and highways. Although CommuterLink doesn 適 mean we will never need to build additional roads, it represents a transportation solution that allows the maximum efficiency onexisting roads.8. WILL COMMUTERLINK SAVE ME MONEY? IF SO, HOW ARE COST SAVINGS MEASURED? Yes, in only its first few years of operation, CommuterLink has already saved Utahns time and money. By increasing peak-hour freeway speeds while reducing freeway delays, traffic signal stops, and intersection delays, CommuterLink is projected to save Utahns more than $100 million each year.9. HOW DOES COMMUTERLINK ENHANCE SAFETY? By reducing congestion, CommuterLink helps decrease the number of accidents that occur. When accidents do occur, CommuterLink helps emergency personnel quickly identify, respond to, and clear the accident. These highly trained personnel include UDOT 適 Incident Management Team members who help stranded motorists and assist the highway patrol in managing traffic around accidents.10. IS COMMUTERLINK A LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL? CommuterLink is designed to increase the safety and efficiency of local roadsand freeways and to inform drivers of adverse conditions such as accidents or congestion. It is not intended to identify speeders or enforce traffic laws.11. WILL THE CAMERA FOOTAGE BE RECORDED AND SAVED? As a general rule, camera footage will not be recorded and saved. Some occasional camera footage may be recorded strictly for training purposes. This footage will be used to analyze and improve responses to future roadway incidents.12. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THERE IS A TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM ALONG MY ROUTE? One of the most important features of CommuterLink is its ability to give Utahns valuable real-time transportation information.