Transportation

State Roads/Electronic Communications

Statewide Outcome(s):

Electronic Communications supports the following statewide outcome(s).

Sustainable options to safely move people, goods, services and information.

Context:

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Office of Electronic Communications (OEC) provides management, engineering and technical expertise in electronic communication systems and technologies that address the specialized needs of transportation, public safety, and other state and local agencies. The activities address mobile radio communications statewide.

·        Many Minnesota government agencies have large mobile work forces that rely on radio communications. OEC provides technical services to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other state agencies. OEC also provides technical services to regional and local agencies upon request.

·        OEC supports the statewide public safety radio communications system known as Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER). ARMER is currently under construction with site acquisition, construction and maintenance of radio towers statewide. ARMER serves the day to day and emergency communication needs of many state agencies, and of the majority of local and regional law enforcement agencies. This includes law enforcement, fire, emergency medical and public works services. The system currently has over 60,000 mobile and portable radio users. As the system ages, it will require additional maintenance and a replacement cycle and schedule. Ongoing upgrades need to be planned.

·        Citizens of Minnesota have high expectations of their public safety and emergency service providers. Emergency operations extend around the clock, and the communications systems must provide reliable service at all times.

·        Funding for the Electronic Communications activity comes from a direct appropriation from the Trunk Highway Fund, a transfer from DPS from the 911 Fees (for ARMER operations and maintenance) and lease receipts authorized in MS 174.70.

Strategies:

·        Electronic Communications Investment and Planning:

-        Provide overall electrical engineering directions for the strategic and tactical planning of wireless voice and data systems for ARMER and other public safety or transportation applications

-        Provide electronic communication system engineering, design and construction expertise to MnDOT offices and districts, other state and local agencies.

-        Act as public safety radio spectrum frequency advisor for the state of Minnesota

·        Electronic Communications Management:

-        Administer, own, and operate the ARMER public safety radio backbone used by state and local governments.

-        Install, repair, replace, upgrade and maintain the radio communications infrastructure.

-        Maintain the facilities (towers, shelters, generators) needed to support the states wireless infrastructure

-        Provide maintenance for electronic equipment, such as road weather information systems, traffic weight scales, vehicle location systems, etc.

-        Provide emergency service response for public safety electronic communications systems

·         

·        External Transportation Systems Support:

-        Provides for sharing of expertise and technical services with other state and local agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Natural Resources, The National Weather Service (NWS) and other state and local agencies.

·        Key Partners:

-        Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, and other state agencies, cities, counties, the Metropolitan Council, the National Weather Service, and emergency service providers.

Results:

Eighty-one percent (264) of ARMER towers are operational and on-the-air out of a planned 324. An additional 35 towers are under construction and scheduled for completion in 2013. The right of way acquisition process is ongoing for 25 additional tower sites. Construction is on schedule and on budget.

Performance Measures Notes:

Annually, OEC also maintains and services over 13,000 mobile radios, over 1,600 base stations, over 650 tower sites and performs over 1,600 preventative inspections. The trend is constant and steady. OEC also provides technical support, maintenance and oversight.