| Close to a dozen transportation officials from
China recently toured IDOT’s ComCenter and Transportation Systems Center
based in District One, on December 2, 2003. The delegation was brought to us
through the 21st Century Institute based in Oak Brook, a not-for-profit
organization that promotes the exchange of ideas between the U.S. and China.
The delegation toured IDOT's ComCenter which is one of the most
technologically advanced communication and operations centers in the
country. Staffed 24-hours a day 7-days a week dispatchers work to
coordinate IDOT's resources by radio and telephone. The delegation paid
close attention to the state of the art technology, which includes a
computer based dispatch system, automated report writing and
distribution system, along with video observation used to monitor
traffic.
Over the years, dozens of groups from all over the world representing
highway departments, trucking firms and bus companies have toured IDOT
facilities. Through an interpreter, District One Area Programmer, Brian
Carlson explained the various divisions of the state transportation
department and talked about management techniques used by the department
to maintain an efficient and productive agency.
The delegation was presented with a film narrated in Chinese outlining
the states highway departments. |

Chinese Delegation, Ruth Ann Payne, Public Affairs,
Steve Peters, ComCenter Director

ComCenter Director Steve Peters gives the delegation a
tour

Eric Huang, Chinese Delegation and Brian Carlson,
IDOT Area Programmer
|