Wisconsin DOT ITS and Traffic Signal Fiber Network Questions (WisDOT Responses)

  1. Does your State own an ITS and Traffic Signal fiber optic network that is used for communication to ITS devices such as DMS, cameras, ramp meters, traffic signals, etc.? Yes, Wisconsin has an extensive fiber optic network used to connect ITS devices and traffic signals. The network consists of fiber that was installed by the Wisconsin DOT (WisDOT), along with fiber IRUs and trades with others to use fiber.
  2. If so, which State Agency owns the ITS and Traffic Signal fiber network? (DOT, IT State Agency, other? Please provide contact info if another agency owns the fiber network.)

WisDOT owns the fiber network.

  1. Does the same State agency monitor, operate, and maintain the fiber?
  2. If no, who does? (such as contracted resource)

WisDOT’s Bureau of Traffic Operations operates the fiber network. Monitoring and maintenance are contracted out.

  1. What is the estimated number of devices connected to the fiber network?

Approximately 700 ITS devices and traffic signals are connected directly to the fiber network, an additional 100 devices connect to fiber through wireless or copper links.

  1. What are the annual costs to monitor, operate, and maintain your ITS fiber network? We spent around $657,000 last year, most of which was paid for out of a fiber appropriation. The fiber appropriation is dedicated to receive revenue from fiber leases and ROW occupancy, and is used to pay for fiber monitoring, maintenance, and operations costs.
  2. Does your State lease, trade, and/or let others use your ITS fiber network?

·  We lease our fiber to other State Agencies.

·  We continue to work with others (Cities, Counties, Community Area Networks, and private telecommunication providers) to trade resources.

·  We allow others within our State Agency, such as State Patrol, use our fiber network.

·  When conduit is installed, we try to build extra capacity so we can use the extra capacity to lease or trade with others in the future.

  1. Does your State allow barter arrangements in which it obtains the use of dark fiber or bandwidth in exchange for the longitudinal occupation of controlled-access highway ROW or other ROW, or charge a fee for longitudinal use if a barter arrangement cannot be made?

WisDOT has entered into many shared-resource agreements whereby we have received dark fiber in exchange for the longitudinal use of controlled-access highway ROW. If dark fiber is not obtained, then an occupation fee is charged. We do not charge or obtain an agreement for our other highways.

  1. If no, does your State lease or have IRUs to use dark fiber or lit services from private telecommunication companies or others?
  2. What are the annual costs for any fiber leases and/or IRUs you have?
  3. What are your annual operating costs?
  4. Would you prefer to own your fiber instead?
  5. What is your ITS fiber network used for in addition to connections to ITS and Traffic Signal devices? It is used by State Patrol as redundant communication for their wireless network. It is also used for Wiscom communication to Police Departments throughout the State.
  6. Do you find value in your ITS fiber network over, or in addition to, other forms of communication, such as wireless? We have found our fiber network to be more reliable and robust than wireless communication.
  7. Do you have any upcoming plans for expansion or reduction in your ITS fiber network (including change in management structure)? We have plans to include fiber in upcoming construction projects, such as the I-39/90 freeway project from Illinois to Madison. As for change in management structure, we are being asked to evaluate whether another State Agency should manage the fiber network.
  8. What role do you see your fiber network in providing communication to connected vehicles? We feel that our extensive fiber network would be instrumental in providing communication to connected vehicles.