Puerto Rico's Multimodal Transportation Plan

Intelligent Transportation Systems for the San Juan Metro Area of Puerto Rico

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 established a federal program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and promote their implementation. The program was designed to facilitate deployment of technology to enhance the efficiency, safety, and convenience of surface transportation, resulting in improved access, saved lives and time, and increased productivity.

Development of the San Juan ITS architecture is part of a larger effort to plan and deploy ITS throughout the San Juan region. The national ITS architecture can be a beneficial tool for public and private agencies. The Transit Studies Division and the GIS office, both from the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, studied the specific activities that make up the steps in developing the regional ITS architecture for the San Juan Metro Area (SJMA). In the process, they developed an inventory of stakeholder ITS elements (existing and planned ITS infrastructure, services, and information sharing arrangements) and mapped these to national ITS architecture entities.

GPS technology was used to identify the exact positions of street intersections and traffic lights. Planimetric features from orthorectified images were uploaded to verify position accuracy and establish spatial influence zones that will be managed with ITS. Finally, GIS analysis of network travel demands forecast was incorporated to develop maps that represent the extension of the project and the impact on the surrounding infrastructure.

Long-Range Transportation Plan for the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico

On June 9, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed into law PL 105-178, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorizing highway, highway safety, and transit transportation programs for the next six years. The SJMA developed a Regional Transportation Plan contemplating objectives and methodologies under the TEA-21 legislation.

The Strategic Planning office from the Department of Transportation and Public Works, in collaboration with the GIS office from the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, developed a project to combine different modes of transportation into this plan. GIS technology was integrated with the process of evaluating all possible aspects concerning transportation needs, patterns, and models to strategically create a sustainable multimodal transportation plan.

GIS technology was also used to capture, digitize, rectify, analyze, and finally produce accurate network maps. The maps incorporate the integration of the three major transportation systems in Puerto Rico: (1) Urban Train, (2) Metropolitan Bus Authority, and (3) Public Cars Transportation. Also included in the plan are the official Network Transportation Plans from all the subregions that compose the metro area.

GPS technology, satellite imagery, aerial photography, and digital elevation models were used to analyze geographic and demographic patterns through corridors and establish accurate networks to facilitate the transportation of people from high-density areas and satisfy travel demands.