Background
The Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) program at the Port of Oakland includes 15 freight technology demonstration projects designed to address traffic management, security systems and roadway improvements at the Oakland Seaport. The project was fully funded through a mix of local, state and federal funds. FITS provides real-time traffic, terminal, vessel and other data to help inform Port stakeholders when making operational decisions, thereby reducing congestion and improving traffic flow in and out of Oakland. It also updates security systems and provides a common communication platform for first responders. FITS was launched Jan. 4, 2024.
A few examples of FITS demonstration projects are: development of an emergency operations and traffic management center; deployment of a mobile application to access maritime traffic updates; and changeable message signs to show traffic delays.
Completed Project
FITS is part of the GoPort Program, which is a collaboration between the Port of Oakland (“Port”), the City of Oakland (“City”) and Alameda County Transportation Commission (“Alameda CTC”) to implement strategic roadway infrastructure in the Port’s Maritime Area (“Seaport”). Under FITS, a suite of technology improvements were installed along or near main Seaport roadways (West Grand Avenue, Maritime Street, 7th Street, Middle Harbor Road, Adeline Street and Embarcadero West). FITS construction began in February 2020 and was completed in December 2023. Operations and Maintenance is began in January 2024 and the Port has committed to supporting these improvements for a minimum of five years. See below for more details on the FITS improvements.
FITS Element
Objective
WiFi Communications
Provides last mile connectivity as an alternative to connecting directly to the fiber optic cable infrastructure, remote access and connectivity, Internet access for truck drivers, and addresses the several known gaps in cellular coverage within the Port property.
Fiber Communications
Closes gaps in the necessary backbone communications network and provides the foundation for other project enhancements.
QD
Camera views along the Port arterials to report roadway conditions through Artificial Intelligence-based video analytics.
ATMS Signal Upgrades
Allows a large variety of FITS elements to be accessed and controlled and can be used to generate data for further analysis in improving traffic operations and planning at the Port.
CMSs
Provides a platform for disseminating general and critical information to the trucks and autos entering or exiting the Port.
CCTV upgrade to HD
Camera upgrades to increase incident detection capabilities through enchanched resolution, angles, and control technology.
SVD
Provides non-intrusive midblock detection to fill in gaps from video detection and provides speed, travel time, and vehicle classification information.
Joint TMC/EOC
Builout of an operations center to house data from the various field devices and provide a centralized location to plan, operate, coordinate and manage traffic and field incidents.
RFID Readers
Allows information to be gathered and processed to improve logistics productivity by providing truck turn/wait time data.
WIM Technology
Located on Port property as a courtesy to trucks leaving the Port with new containers to verify load weight and improve safety.
C2C Communication
Connects the Port TMC/EOC to the City’s TMC, Caltrans’ TMC, and MTC’s Bay Area NextGen 511 to enable the exchange of emergency management communications, real-time traffic information, and regional travel information from the Port’s field devices.
ATDS
Non-intrusive train detection to provide warnings of long-trains and delays at at-grade rail crossings via CMS, Go Port App and voice messaging so truckers can adjust travel if possible.
BSPS
Provide a system that monitors parking availability that can be shared via Go Port app and CMS. Parking payment options would be enhanced to improve the customer experience.
Oakland Portal
A mobile application to increase efficiency of operations for Port users by providing FITS static and real-time information regarding wait times, vessel operations, traffic, weather, video feeds from cameras, rail crossings, incidents and performance reporting.