About ITSmn - General Information

The mission of ITS Minnesota is to foster grassroots participation and public-private partnerships in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which generate interest, excitement, cooperation and progress focused on implementation results. The Intelligent Transportation Society of Minnesota (ITS Minnesota) has been a state chapter of ITS America since 1995. Established in 1991 to coordinate the development and deployment of ITS in the United States. ITS America also has alliances with ITS organizations in other countries, most notably in Europe and Asia. Originally formed as a utilized Federal Advisory Committee, ITS America works closely with the Department of Transportation on projects and programs in support of the National ITS Program.

ITS Minnesota is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization. ITS Minnesota membership is open to any public agency, private company, academic organization, professional association or other group with an interest in ITS. ITS Minnesota works closely with the Minnesota Guidestar program (administered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation) and its Board of Directors.

The ITS Minnesota Board of Directors consists of annually elected officers, elected directors (staggered, two-year terms), and ex-officio directors. The Board meets monthly and the meetings are open to all members.

ITS Minnesota also has five standing committees, each focusing on specific activities of the chapter. The President appoints committee chairs. The committees depend on volunteers from member organizations. New committee volunteers are welcome at all times; please contact the committee chairperson. Each chairperson participates in the monthly board meetings.

The Board and committees support and implement the objectives of the chapter's Strategic Plan:

1. Outreach - ITS Minnesota will advance the awareness and acceptance of technology solutions in transportation.
2. Inclusive Membership - ITS Minnesota will be the organization of choice for everyone with an interest in advanced transportation technology.
   
3. Provide Counsel to ITS constituents - continue and enhance the role and responsibility as an advisor to ITS constituents.
   
4. Market Development - ITS Minnesota will help identify and help grow markets for private and public sector members.
   
5. Education & Training - ITS Minnesota will support and encourage professional capacity building programs by others.
   
6. Research - ITS Minnesota will encourage and promote the funding of research in advanced transportation programs.

Click here to view or download a copy of the strategic plan or our bylaws.

Listing of Current Society Officers:

President John Dillingham, Alliant Engineering
Past President Daryl Taavola, URS
Vice President Ray Starr, Mn/DOT
Secretary Mark Nelson, Mn/DOT
Treasurer
Click here to view the 2006-2007 Organizational Listing (pdf)

Past Presidents are:

• 2006 Daryl Taavola, URS
• 2005 Janelle Monette, SRF
• 2004 Paul Kurtz, City of St. Paul
• 2003 Durga Panda, Image Sensing Systems, Inc.
  
• 2002 James Kranig, Mn/DOT
  
• 2001 Doug Differt, URS
  
• 2000 Marthand Nookala, Mn/DOT
  
• 1999 Bob Sands, Edwards & Kelcey
  
• 1998 Gene Ofstead, Mn/DOT
  
• 1997 Jeff Benson, URS
  
• 1996 Dennis Foderberg, University of Minnesota
  
• 1995 Mike Blumer, US West
  
• Dick Braun (honorary past president for 1995)

About the ITS Minnesota Website

The ITSmn.org webpages are updated on a continuous basis. New announcements for the calendar page, job postings, front page articles/news, member profiles or other society informational updates must be approved for web submittal before posting. Typically, "approved updates/submittals" are posted within 3 working days of receipt by the webmaster.

Submit all posting requests to the Communications Committee Chairs for approval. Contact either:
Linda Preisen at LPreisen@cts.umn.edu or
Matt Gjersvik at Matt.Gjersvik@dot.state.mn.us

Introductory text may be submitted in a standard email or Word® document, all attachments should be in Adobe Reader® (pdf) format and graphics should be either .jpg or .gif format. All questions regarding allowable web formats may be addressed to the webmaster: marv.sohlo@dot.state.mn.us 651-234-7380

About Contacting ITS Minnesota

The ITS Minnesota Committee Chairs handle many specific duties within the society should be contacted directly in regards to their duties. Refer the committee descriptions listed on the left side of this page for contact information.

For GENERAL Information regarding ITSmn, please contact: Linda Preisen at LPreisen@cts.umn.edu

About Joining ITS Minnesota

ITS Minnesota membership is open to any public agency, private company, academic organization, professional association or other group with an interest in ITS.  Current members include, among others, local, regional and national companies that have contributed to the growth of Minnesota's Intelligent Transportation Systems industry; the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies that has advanced ITS research and education; and the Minnesota Department of Transportation that established Minnesota Guidestar, a program for ITS research, operational testing and deployment.

We invite you to become a member of ITS Minnesota. Annual dues are $125 for governmental or non-profit organizations or any private for-profit organizations with 20 or fewer employees (all office locations), $250 for private organizations with more than 20 employees, or $125 for national ITS America members. Membership provides access for all your employees.

Benefits of ITS Minnesota membership include:

• Special conference and event rates,
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders,
• Educational opportunities,
• Publicity through the ITS Minnesota Web site, quarterly newsletter, and periodic Forums.
• Your logo and company description on our membership page linked to your web site.

For more information contact Membership Committee Co-Chairperson, Gary Shannon
507-285-8086
or complete the MEMBERSHIP FORM
and email it to Gary at gshannon@ci.rochester.mn.us

About ITS Minnesota "UPDATE"

The ITS Minnesota Communications Committee produces the newsletter, UPDATE. Contribute articles for the newsletter to anyone of the communications committee members listed in the Communications Committee description (pdf). Refer to Newsletter Submittal Process (pdf) document for details on submitting articles.

Notification of the new publication posting is emailed quarterly to members and friends of the chapter.  To be added to the email notification list, contact Tina Roelofs: Roelofs@acconsultants.org.

The News Archive contains previous issues of UPDATE.

About "ITSA Newsletter" Guidelines

State Chapter page ITSA newsletter guidelinesHere is how to get your ITS project or deployment into the national spotlight. Please follow these procedures to submit articles to the ITS America newsletter:

1. In order to make the next month issue, chapter stories should be submitted no later than the 15th of the month prior. For example, in order for a story to appear in our January issue, it must be submitted no later than December 15th.

2. The chapter page holds about 700 words. However, we like to feature 2 or 3 chapters on the page. So figure on submitting 300-400 words. If it's juicy enough, Craig Bannister will surely hound you for the rest. If you're not quite sure about it, send the entire document and Craig will edit it so it fits.

3. We consider the chapter page as a mini "regional showcase". We want to get the word out about what's going on in your chapter/state. Keep in mind, we have 22 chapters. In the issue of fairness, we must rotate so that each chapter is featured. Remember, articles can also be posted on the state chapter page of our website. So send us your articles!

If you have additional questions regarding the ITS America newsletter, feel free to contact
Craig Bannister: craig_bannister@itsa.org
202-484-4138