ADVANCED INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR DENVER'S DOWNTOWN EXPRESS

An advanced traffic management system and advanced traveler information system (ATMS/ATIS) have been designed and deployed in Denver, Colorado as part of its newly constructed bus and high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV). These lanes are known as the "Downtown Express", and are located in the median of Interstate 25 from downtown to 70th Avenue. The system is designed to safely operate the two Downtown Express reversible lanes that are separated from general traffic by concrete barriers. The system also includes an incident detection and management scheme and a video surveillance system. This paper describes the design and deployment of the advanced traffic management and traveler information system architecture, topology, and engineering considerations used to safely and effectively operate the Downtown Express lanes.