SANDAG partners with local, state, regional, and federal agencies to plan, develop, and deploy innovative intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies and solutions that advance the implementation the adopted 2025 Regional Plan. SANDAG is bringing the transportation system management vision to life through several ongoing planning and pilot efforts.
Regional ITS Architecture
SANDAG completed a major update to the federally required Regional ITS Architecture in 2021. The Regional ITS Architecture is a tool that ensures consistency, coordination, and integration of various transportation systems across all the region's jurisdictions. It helps state, regional, and local ITS projects communicate and work together. As a companion to the ITS Architecture, SANDAG also completed a Transportation Systems Management and Operations Strategy that describes the operational and institutional policies and processes that will be necessary to operate the transportation system holistically.
Next Generation 511 Traveler Information System
SANDAG is also developing the concept for a new Next Generation (NextGen) traveler information system, an expansion of the current 511 San Diego system. The vision of NextGen 511 is a comprehensive system that allows travelers to seamlessly plan and pay for trips using multiple transportation services. The system will allow customers to view multiple itineraries, make reservations for shared-use transportation options (such as transit, bike-sharing, ridesharing, and car-sharing), and then pay for all of it with in a single payment.
Autonomous Vehicle Proving Grounds
In 2017, the San Diego region was designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as one of ten Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Proving Grounds in the nation. AV Proving Grounds were established to bring the public and private sector together to accelerate safe AV deployment on public streets and roads. Since 2017, SANDAG has been supporting Caltrans and the City of Chula Vista by collaborating with a variety of industry and academic partners in piloting and testing connected and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies in real world environments. These efforts have included 12 pilot projects throughout the region that will help prepare the region for an AV future.
Integrated Corridor Management
SANDAG was the first in the nation to demonstrate the managed lanes concept on the I-15 Express Lanes. With Integrated Corridor Management, we will have the opportunity to yet again be the first in the nation to demonstrate how the next generation of managed lanes can revolutionize roadways. The 2025 Regional Plan envisions a fully connected system of managed lanes that use technology to improve operation and performance of our existing roadways and transportation services. Managed lanes are envisioned as limited-access express lanes which will reduce travel times and increase reliability for public transit and shared mobility services.
Advancing Border Connectivity
Implementation of several pilot transportation technology solutions are currently underway through the Advancing Border Connectivity (ABC) project. In 2021, SANDAG was awarded a $9.3 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) program to establish cutting-edge technologies that facilitate crossborder travel in partnership with the private sector. SANDAG is currently working with the cities of San Diego, National City, and Chula Vista, as well as the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), Port of San Diego, and Caltrans on project planning and design.
ABC concepts in development include the Regional Border Management System for the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, connected vehicle technologies as part of the Smart Intersection System, and Integrated Corridor Management features. Together, these strategies will expand mobility options by enhancing incident response on freeways in the border region and implementing technologies like advanced traveler information services. These systems will work together to reduce congestion and create a seamless travel experience in the border region while improving safety and air quality. The ABC project will allow the region to quickly test these technologies and learn about technical, operational, and management considerations before deploying and scaling up the systems across the region. We expect to complete the project in June 2027.
