The ITS Architecture for Canada is a presentation of functional and physical ITS elements and how they are integrated. Transportation agencies in a particular region or area should use the ITS Architecture for Canada as a framework, a common vocabulary and a guide to develop an architecture that is tailored toward the unique features of the particular region. This "Regional Architecture" is a road map of the information flow between the various systems that are essential to the stakeholders of the region. It maps out how the various ITS components are ultimately tied together and integrated, both physically as well as institutionally. This paper will discuss the development of regional ITS architectures that represent stakeholders' interests and meet the objectives of a transportation master plan. It presents a discussion of regional ITS architectures being developed as part of the strategic transportation planning process and conclude with the statement that the regional architecture, combined with prioritization, costing, and programming of future ITS initiatives into the short, medium and long term, is the ITS Strategic Plan.
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