ITS Communications, Field Networks, and System Maintenance

This advanced course equips field technicians with the practical knowledge required to install, configure, and maintain Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) communication networks. Students examine diverse field communication media, including fiber optic cabling, twisted-pair copper, and broadband wireless links, alongside essential industrial Ethernet protocols, IP addressing schemes, and serial-to-Ethernet conversion methods. Coursework emphasizes systematic field diagnostics, network security fundamentals, and preventative maintenance strategies vital for corridor reliability and central management connectivity. Through structured scenarios and equipment interaction, learners diagnose transmission failures, configure managed field switches, and optimize telemetry streams connecting local signal controllers to central management software. By synthesizing network fundamentals with standardized maintenance workflows, this curriculum prepares technicians to maintain resilient roadside infrastructure and respond effectively to complex communications outages across municipal and regional transportation networks.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Prerequisites

ITS 105 ITS 110

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Introduction to ITS Architecture, Telemetry, and Field Topologieslecture

02Lesson 2: Physical Layer Standards: Copper Cabling and Serial Communication Interfaceslecture

03Lesson 3: Fiber Optic Theory, Plant Design, and Splicing Standardslecture

04Hands-on Lab: Fiber Optic Termination, Splicing, and Optical Loss Testinglab

05Lesson 5: Industrial Ethernet and IP Subnetting for Roadside Networkslecture

06Lesson 6: Managed Field Switches, Trunking, VLANs, and Redundancy Protocolslecture

07Lesson 7: Wireless Field Communications: Point-to-Point, Cellular, and Radio Linkslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Hardened Switch Configuration, VLAN Setup, and Radio Alignmentlab

09Lesson 9: Device Integration: NTCIP Protocols, Field Sensors, and Video Telemetrylecture

10Lesson 10: Cybersecurity Best Practices and Physical Cabinet Hardeninglecture

11Hands-on Lab: Field Network Troubleshooting and Packet Capture Analysislab

12Lesson 12: Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Inspection Protocols, and Asset Managementlecture

13Lesson 13: Emergency Restoration, Incident Triage, and Temporary Field Repairslecture

14Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Corridor Network Restorationassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to ITS Architecture, Telemetry, and Field Topologies", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Physical Layer Standards: Copper Cabling and Serial Communication Interfaces", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Fiber Optic Theory, Plant Design, and Splicing Standards", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Fiber Optic Termination, Splicing, and Optical Loss Testing", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Industrial Ethernet and IP Subnetting for Roadside Networks", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Managed Field Switches, Trunking, VLANs, and Redundancy Protocols", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Wireless Field Communications: Point-to-Point, Cellular, and Radio Links", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Hardened Switch Configuration, VLAN Setup, and Radio Alignment", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Device Integration: NTCIP Protocols, Field Sensors, and Video Telemetry", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Cybersecurity Best Practices and Physical Cabinet Hardening", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Field Network Troubleshooting and Packet Capture Analysis", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Inspection Protocols, and Asset Management", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Emergency Restoration, Incident Triage, and Temporary Field Repairs", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Corridor Network Restoration"]