WZDWG Open Governance Conversation #2 - usdot-jpo-ode/wzdx GitHub Wiki

September 28, 2021

This document complies the questions discussed by the Work Zone Data Working Group (WZDWG) community in this meeting. Many responses to the questions are suggestions supplied by WZDWG members and do not represent the official opinion of USDOT.

Prompt: Please share your thoughts regarding future WZDx governance options

  • There is a high value to having the geospatial community involved in WZDx and related specification development.
  • It is important for State DOTs to maintain a seat at the table regarding WZDx specification development, since they will be the ones producing each feed and will be required to keep up with any updates/changes. Private industry engagement may move at a faster update pace than DOTs wish to keep up with (regarding desired capabilities of the WZDx specification).
  • It is important to keep in mind state DOTs are not the only producers – regional and local agencies will be using the spec as well.
  • Alternate viewpoints for which type of governing organization for WZDx include:
    • An organization with the ability to expand the spec to adjacent transportation and mapping needs.
    • An organization that focuses on work zones, since mapping and work zones are fundamentally different and should be kept separate.
  • Alternate viewpoints regarding the balance between continued development of WZDx on a regular cycle versus a slower pace of development include:
    • An active governing body will keep the spec growing and will maintain engagement from producers and consumers.
    • A higher benefit can be achieved by wide adoption of a stable spec.
  • The ITS JPO’s standards program may fund specification maintenance or standardization through its contracts with SAE, ITE, and others.
    • The soon-to-be-released Connected Intersections standard may be a model for this.
    • Standards advanced by SAE with U.S. DOT funding will be free to the public.
  • The House Appropriations Transportation Bill, Section 110007, includes funding for qualified institutions of higher education to research certain Automated Vehicle objectives. WZDx seems to fit in this opportunity. Private sector members can advocate for the bill.
  • A Pooled Fund Study may be one possible mechanism for supporting continued development and deployment of WZDx.