Publication Detail
Further Implementation of a Rural ATIS: Observations on the Continued Deployment of YATI
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UCD-ITS-RP-97-28 Presentation Series Download PDF |
Suggested Citation:
Kurani, Kenneth S., Paul P. Jovanis, L. Dantas (1997) Further Implementation of a Rural ATIS: Observations on the Continued Deployment of YATI. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Presentation Series UCD-ITS-RP-97-28
Seventh Annual Meeting of the Intelligent Transportation Society
The Yosemite Area Traveler Information (YATI) system is an advanced traveler information system (ATIS) currently in a field operation test period. In contrast to the majority of ATIS systems which are being implemented in urban and suburban settings, YATI is a rural system. It is designed to improve and enhance travel in a rural environment—but a rural environment subject to episodic and incident related travel restrictions and delays caused by the presence of a hugely popular travel destination (Yosemite National Park), as well as seasonal and incident related delays on, or closures of, the relatively few throughways in the region.
The YATI system was designed with the goals of reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, enhancing mobility, and preserving and promoting tourism in the region that contains Yosemite National Park and the surrounding National Forests, State Parks, and towns. These goals are to be met by providing real-time information regarding current weather and travel conditions, as well as the status of lodging, public transit, and recreational and camping facilities.
Ultimately, the information will be provided by five information channels, changeable message signs (CMS), highway advisory radio (HAR), a traveler advisory telephone system (TATS), a network of electronic kiosks, and a YATI site on the World Wide Web.
We report here on progress in implementing the YATI system since a previous review in 1994. We provide initial conclusions regarding user response to the expanding YATI system, based on preliminary results from data collected during the month of August, 1996 and an additional weekend in October, 1996. Initial comparisons to results from 1994 are presented. Further, while YATI represents an important application of new technological systems, it also represents an important institutional evolution. We make some incipient comments regarding the importance of YATI's institutional development. All our comments here are exploratory in nature as our primary data collection period will only be completed after this paper is sent to press.
The Yosemite Area Traveler Information (YATI) system is an advanced traveler information system (ATIS) currently in a field operation test period. In contrast to the majority of ATIS systems which are being implemented in urban and suburban settings, YATI is a rural system. It is designed to improve and enhance travel in a rural environment—but a rural environment subject to episodic and incident related travel restrictions and delays caused by the presence of a hugely popular travel destination (Yosemite National Park), as well as seasonal and incident related delays on, or closures of, the relatively few throughways in the region.
The YATI system was designed with the goals of reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, enhancing mobility, and preserving and promoting tourism in the region that contains Yosemite National Park and the surrounding National Forests, State Parks, and towns. These goals are to be met by providing real-time information regarding current weather and travel conditions, as well as the status of lodging, public transit, and recreational and camping facilities.
Ultimately, the information will be provided by five information channels, changeable message signs (CMS), highway advisory radio (HAR), a traveler advisory telephone system (TATS), a network of electronic kiosks, and a YATI site on the World Wide Web.
We report here on progress in implementing the YATI system since a previous review in 1994. We provide initial conclusions regarding user response to the expanding YATI system, based on preliminary results from data collected during the month of August, 1996 and an additional weekend in October, 1996. Initial comparisons to results from 1994 are presented. Further, while YATI represents an important application of new technological systems, it also represents an important institutional evolution. We make some incipient comments regarding the importance of YATI's institutional development. All our comments here are exploratory in nature as our primary data collection period will only be completed after this paper is sent to press.