Western States Forum 2024: Image Gallery

The 2024 Western States Forum hosted 35 attendees from California, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. In the image below, Forum attendees are listening to a technical presentation.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

The Forum is organized and hosted by a Steering Committee. Here, committee members welcome participants to the Forum and set the stage for a successful event. In the front of the room, left to right, Jeremiah Pearce (Caltrans District 2), Andres Chavez (Caltrans DRISI), and Doug Galarus (Montana Tech). Not pictured are Leann Koon (Western Transportation Institute) and Marlene Woodard (Redding based Event Planner).

Photo By: Caltrans District 2

Steering Committee members also recognize speakers for the time and effort required to develop a presentation and present it at the Forum. Each attendee receives a Certificate of Participation too. This photo shows Jeremiah Pearce (left) and Doug Galarus (center) receiving their certificates from Andres Chavez (right). Doug has attended every Forum and Jeremiah has attended all but one.

Photo By: Caltrans District 2

Jeremiah Pearce, Caltrans District 2, Dave Torick, AHMCT at UC Davis, and Justin Ellis from Caltrans EQASI, reviewed the research pilot project initiated to evaluate the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology at Public Safety Power Shutoff impacted field sites. Jeremiah discussed the need and purpose of the project and then summarized by reviewing what’s next for the project.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Jeremiah Pearce, Caltrans District 2, Dave Torick, AHMCT at UC Davis, and Justin Ellis from Caltrans EQASI, reviewed the research pilot project initiated to evaluate the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology at Public Safety Power Shutoff impacted field sites. Dave Torick discussed the research project, including system overview, procurement, design, and field testing.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Jeremiah Pearce, Caltrans District 2, Dave Torick, AHMCT at UC Davis, and Justin Ellis from Caltrans EQASI, reviewed the research pilot project initiated to evaluate the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology at Public Safety Power Shutoff impacted field sites. Justin Ellis explained how the Hydrogen Fuel Cell systems were tested at Caltrans’ TransLab.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Frederick Tydeman, Eric MacGill, and Kevin Maxwell from the Nevada Department of Transportation teamed up to present the new luminaire control system they have deployed in the Carlin Tunnel in northern Nevada. Here, the group is being introduced before their presentation by Steering Committee Member Andres Chavez. Left to right: Andres Chavez, Kevin Maxwell, Eric MacGill, and Frederick Tydeman.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

AHMCT at UC Davis evaluated the use of SpaceX Starlink satellite broadband communication services for several Caltrans District 2 ITS sites. Dr. Saeid Delshad reviewed the documented technical information for the systems, latest technology advancements, and current limitations to integrating Starlink systems into existing Caltrans ITS field networks. He reviewed procurement, installation, integration, and maintenance of the systems as well as results of field testing supported by Caltrans District 2 ITS engineers. Here he is describing the systems installed and tested at the CCTV sites.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Washington’s Virtual Coordination Center (VCC) is a “web-based incident management tool that allows for the sharing of accurate real time data and coordination between partner agencies.” WSDOT’s IT Project Manager Brent Quebedeaux and Incident Management Coordinator David Baker discussed background, design and architecture, various tools used, and funding mechanisms used to bring the project to fruition. Here, David describes the VCC and what it does.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Washington’s Virtual Coordination Center (VCC) is a “web-based incident management tool that allows for the sharing of accurate real time data and coordination between partner agencies.” WSDOT’s IT Project Manager Brent Quebedeaux and Incident Management Coordinator David Baker discussed background, design and architecture, various tools used, and funding mechanisms used to bring the project to fruition. In the photo, Brent explains how the VCC is hosted and integrated into WSDOT operations.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

The One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for Rural Traveler Information is the result of a multi-phased research and development effort by Caltrans and the Western States Rural Transportation Consortium (WSRTC). This year, Doug Galarus discussed data analytics and usage statistics for the system, along with next steps for system maintenance. Here he is describing OSS users by device type over the 2023 – 2024 winter season.

Photo By: Caltrans District 2

Ansley Skillern from the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) discussed their efforts with state DOTs related to developing and implementing Variable Speed Limit (VSL) and Lane Control Sign (LCS) applications. He’s pictured here explaining the diversity among DOT’s business rules.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

In a follow-up to a 2021 presentation on an original system, Kent Thurston (left) and Adam Lough (right) from Utah DOT provided an update on their wrong-way driving detection systems including demonstrations of how the systems operate.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Kent Thurston from Utah DOT conducts a demonstration of the wrong-way driving detection system. Adam Lough looks on ready to answer questions.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

The Forum is unique in that questions and dialogue are encouraged throughout presentations not just at the end. In the photo below, an audience member raises his hand to ask a question of speaker Dave Torick.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

All the presentations generated good questions and discussion throughout, demonstrating one of the key tenets of the Forum. In this photo, Tony Leingang (WSDOT) adds discussion from the audience to the VCC presentation.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Quality networking opportunities and equipment displays are key features of the Forum agenda. The Tuesday evening event includes a reception followed by a seated buffet dinner. Here, several groups of attendees are visiting during the reception. In the background, you can see some of the equipment set up by the speakers and Caltrans District 2.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

The Forum participants network during the Tuesday evening meal after checking out the equipment displays.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

To maintain the rural perspective and continue to foster transparency and trust with an informal atmosphere, the Wednesday evening dinner and networking session were held at Upper Greenhorn Park in Yreka. Here’s some of the group eating in the park on a beautiful June evening.

Photo By: Doug Galarus

Our event planner, Marlene Woodard, has been a part of the Forum since its beginning in 2006 and this was her last event with us. She’s shown here at registration with Jeff Cullins from Caltrans District 2. Thank you, Marlene, for all your help over the years!

Photo By: Doug Galarus