This project is part of the overall ATIS deployment plan for Utah. It consists of integration of the first "hosted" voice portal service to handle "511" telephone calls in the nation with other traveler information services data. The project links ATMS incident data, Event Tracking System (ETS) (construction/maintenance/permitted activities/special events database), and road condition/weather conditions reported by highway maintenance workers during normal maintenance activities. The goal of this project is to provide real time traveler information that is current, accurate and cost effective for all Commuterlink Partners, including the public. Planning for the "511" and "ETS" Projects began in the fall of 2000. Two contracts with the System Integrator team were executed in February 2001 for "ETS" and May 2001 for "511." The selection process for a voice portal vendor was conducted in May 2001. Negotiations with the voice portal vendor began in August 2001 and a modification to the System Integrator contract was required to accommodate the ongoing monthly costs of the "hosted" phone system. The negotiation between UDOT - System Integrator and between the System Integrator - Vendor was progressed in parallel to allow for compressed deployment time. The expected cost of the project is estimated at $1.7M for the voice portal vendor, $150,000 for the Event Tracking System and $100,000 for software integration. The hosted system includes complete hosting of the hardware and software, grammar development for the voice recognition/menu items, complete handling of toll-free line services, and allows for call bursting during the Olympics and other peak times. Other costs not part of this estimate include: (a) switching and translation fees for the telephone companies, (b) conducting focus groups, (c) conducting a human factors analysis, and (d) system integration costs and project management fees.
Samenvatting