6.  Triangle Project

Sponsored by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Triangle Project proposed a public-private partnership utilizing Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology to encourage long haul, interstate truck traffic to use I-25 and I-80 instead of US 287 and SH 14. The idea was to develop incentive-based strategies to encourage the usage of I-25/I-80. CDOT believed that the benefits of these ITS-related strategies were that they could be implemented on a short-term basis, had lower costs than route-based solutions, utilized proven existing technologies, and increased productivity for the trucking industry.

In developing the Triangle Project strategies, CDOT identified several key issues to be addressed for government agencies as well as the trucking industry.

Key issues to be addressed for government agencies included:

• Traffic impacts as a result of implementing the Triangle Project strategies
• Business access
• Enforcement of size and weight regulations
• Noise and air quality issues
• Information on truck movements

Key issues to be addressed for the trucking industry included:

• Travel time
• Cost
• Mileage
• Weather
• Time of day travel
• Weight restrictions on I-25/I-80 versus SH 14/US 287 (80,000 lbs. versus 85,000lbs.)

Key elements of the Triangle Project included:

• Port automation using technology such as PrePass, (Automated Vehicle Identification, Weigh-in Motion) in order to more efficiently and quickly process trucks through ports of entry.

• Truck and traveler advisories to provide advance warning of weather, construction, or accident situations using Variable Message Signs (VMS).

• Development of fleet management strategies with local truckers and shippers, designed to develop schedules that minimize conflicts and streamline trucking shipments.

• A truck traffic monitoring system implemented on US 287 that would monitor vehicle weights and speed. Data from the screening station would be integrated with the Ports of Entry.

Potential private-sector partners were identified, with a strong emphasis on industry recruitment and participation. The project would develop a Truck Management Plan to evaluate the various strategies and improvements implemented. ITS strategies that were ultimately implemented in the Triangle area include five VMS and a SSI Weather System on I-25 to help CDOT detect ice and moisture buildup. The Port of Entry on I-25 south of Prospect Road near Fort Collins has also recently installed weigh-in-motion (PrePass) technology. Figure 5 shows the recommended ITS strategy locations.