Institutional Capacity Building

Development of ITS capacity in an organisation will be more effective if it evolves as a part of an institutional vision – to develop the expertise of professional staff that matches their new roles and responsibilities. The complexity of operating and maintaining transport systems has expanded greatly – and staff must learn to look for solutions outside their primary areas of knowledge. Operating a road transport network goes beyond road maintenance. Strategies to respond to growing transport demand and congested networks are multi-dimensional and call for an enlightened, systems approach.

It may be useful – as part of planning for an ITS deployment – to develop a “concept of operations” that sets out the roles and responsibilities of the different operational units involved and identifies all interdependencies. This should be followed by analysing the gaps between the existing skills base of each unit – compared with the knowledge and expertise necessary. The gaps can then be filled with a customised training and development programme for key individuals. (See "Concept of Operations Document” in Using ITS Architecture)

In everyday road network operations, the desire for organisational autonomy in operational matters, is one of the most common impediments to regional integration. Conflicts of various kinds exist between different organisations. These need to be recognised and the differences resolved. Each of the organisations involved in ITS will have its own history, business culture and standard operating procedures that may make partnership building difficult.

The need for cross-boundary and inter-disciplinary coordination between the different organisations and agencies that are involved with ITS has led to partnerships being developed to achieve specific ITS service objectives. Even seemingly minority stakeholders can introduce issues that must be recognised and dealt with. Generally it is better to uncover all potential issues early on in the planning stages – so they can be taken into account. An effective communication strategy with stakeholders will provide the opportunity to develop contingency options. The aim is to build consensus on service priorities and requirements. (See Integrated Operations)

In the ITS, public agencies and private organisations must collaborate together. This requires building a knowledge base about the tasks performed by each. A capacity building programme to support inter-agency working and partnership will empower employees at each collaborating agency.

Leadership is important to the success of ITS deployments – developing and implementing projects and enabling ITS capacity building programmes. Organisations need to promote and train team leaders who have the knowledge and ability to oversee deployment activities. In emerging economies where ITS is not mainstream, a champion for ITS is a necessity – someone senior in an organisation who can lead the development of collaborative relationships between ITS stakeholders.

Leaders and champions are an important factor in speeding deployment of ITS-based services – by ensuring that organisations coordinate with one another. Finding at least one leader or champion from each stakeholder group, in different ITS application areas, will help to move ITS into the mainstream of solving existing and future mobility problems.

Within any organisation, the human resources department or related personnel may be asked to take responsibility for making professional staff and others aware of ITS training and development programmes. Professional institutions and societies can advertise and promote ITS capability development programmes in various ways, including:

• posting details on their websites, in professional journals, and through mass emailing of members
• promotion through professional transport technology transfer programmes
• contact with stakeholder organisations in the public and private sector

In time, it is possible that a requirement for certification of professional standards and levels of expertise will emerge in response to the ITS industry’s needs. For example, in future it could be a requirement that ITS professionals will not be allowed to practice without some type of certification. At the outset, the need for certification should be identified in consultation with the technicians, professionals, managers, and educators most closely involved.

Introducing this requirement could motivate ITS capability-building at a professional level and satisfy minimum ITS competency requirements. Professional organisations in the transport sector are well-placed to develop guidelines related to the certification process, which might include a code of conduct for certified professionals and enforcement strategies. An example is the UK’s Chartered Engineers programme – similar to the United States’ Professional Engineering programme. In both cases, professional engineering registration is a requirement for completing certain engineering tasks – such as design. Adapting these programmes to include ITS will support accelerated ITS professional capacity development.