The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan is a critical component in addressing the transportation needs of the region. Kern COG is developing a well needed update to the 1997 Early Deployment Plan for the Kern Region in consideration of the ITS projects being implemented by our partners, the rapid advances in technology in recent years, and to respond to specific recommendations and requirements needed to bring the MPO into compliance (23 CFR 940) with current ITS program standards set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for development of architecture and strategic plans as well as the Federal Transit Administration’s National ITS Architecture Policy on Transit Projects. The ITS Plan will provide a vision for ITS, outline a program of low, medium and high priority projects, identify a funding strategy, and establish a plan for managing, integrating, operating, and maintaining the ITS elements in the region that are to be implemented over a 20-year horizon.
Please contact Raquel Pacheco with any questions or comments.
“Pedestrians and bicycles” is meant to cover non-motorized means of transit. This is the most non-polluting form of transportation. Kern COG has the role of encouraging and finding funds for improvements to facilitate non-motorized transit. Kern COG has adopted a Bicycle Facilities Plan and currently is a funding conduit for improvements in non-motorized transportation.
2022 – 2025 Safe Routes for Cyclists in Kern Disadvantaged Communities
Kern Council of Governments was awarded an Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 grant from the California Transportation Commission to conduct the non-Infrastructure project titled “Safe Routes for Cyclists in Kern County’s Disadvantaged Communities (SR4C).” Kern COG in partnership with Bike Bakersfield, California Walks, the Kern County Library and local Bakersfield-based bicycle shops conducted the SR4C program.
Through Education, Encouragement and Evaluation activities, SR4C sought to encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation providing the tools, riding skills and safety knowledge to make it safe and easy to opt to ride a bicycle in the Cities of Arvin, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Shafter, Taft, Wasco, and the unincorporated communities of Oildale (in the Bakersfield Metro Area), Buttonwillow, Lake Isabella/Wofford Heights, Lamont, and Lost Hills.
Caltrans’ Mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. Enhancing bicycle access along with pedestrian and transit is instrumental and vital to accomplishing this mission.
Through an extensive review of existing conditions and comprehensive community and stakeholder outreach, the Active Transportation Plan establishes a regional vision complemented by stand-alone recommendations for each jurisdiction and unincorporated area. User-friendly maps and prioritized projects provide a clearly defined implementation strategy, enabling communities to put their respective plans into action.
2013 City of Bakersfield Bicycle Transportation Plan
This Bicycle Transportation Plan provides an overarching vision supported by strategies and actions for improving the bicycling environment in Bakersfield. The purpose of this Plan is to identify strategic expansion of the existing network, complete network gaps, provide greater connectivity, educate, and encourage the public, and to maximize funding sources.
The 2012 Kern County Bicycle Master Plan and Complete Streets Recommendations provides a broad vision for encouraging increased bicycle travel, as well as strategies and actions, to improve conditions for bicycling throughout the unincorporated communities throughout the county. This Plan provides direction for expanding the existing bikeway network and connecting gaps within the unincorporated communities and throughout the county as a means of bettering the bicycling environment.
The Kern County Bicycle Plan has been produced so that much of the information related to bicycling in the Kern region will be available in a single document. The purpose this serves is to simplify and clarify bicycle travel facilities planning and serve as a basis of understanding for existing facilities and identify where the system needs to be expanded.
California high-speed rail will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs and preserve agricultural and protected lands. By 2029, the system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds capable of over 200 miles per hour.
High-Speed Rail Routes
The high-speed rail system planned for California will eventually encompass over 800 miles of rail, with up to 24 stations. Because the project is so large, and will run through areas of the state with extremely different geographical, environmental and economic issues, the project has been broken into ten separate sections, two of which go through Kern County.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority understands that private property owners will be affected by the proposed construction of the high-speed rail system. In light of this fact, the Authority has committed to do everything it can to educate, inform, and work collaboratively with affected property owners.
The documents on this page provide an at-a-glance reference for frequently asked questions and an overview of the procedures for acquiring property, the right-of-way process and the Permit-to-Enter process.
Heavy Maintenance Facility
In 2009, the California High Speed Rail Authority released a Request for Expression of Interest to site a Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF) in the Central Valley. Kern COG submitted two proposals. One to be located in Shafter just north of the International Trade and Transportation Center and 7th Standard Rd and Santa Fe Way. The other located on the east side of Wasco below Highway 46. There were 15 proposals submitted statewide.
An Annual Listing of projects, including investments in pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, for which federal funds have been obligated in the preceding year.
Transportation Conformity requirements for highway and transit projects are defined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, US EPA and US DOT (FHWA) guidance, and local consultation procedures set up by Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Air Pollution Control Districts to achieve and maintain Federal air quality standards.
Regional analysis addresses the effect of all regionally significant projects in a nonattainment area. The regional analysis considers the Design Concept (what type of project it is) and scope (how long, capacity, etc.) of all projects to be implemented by various analysis years. Regional conformity must be determined not less often than every 4 years by a MPO with a nonattainment or maintenance area, and usually is analyzed more often as Regional Transportation Plan and Federal Transportation Improvement Program amendments happen.
On July 18, 2024, the Kern COG Board of Directors adopted the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program and 2024 Air Quality Conformity Analysis. State and Federal approval is required.
Project-Level Conformity Interagency Consultation Meeting for SR 155/Lexington Street Intersection Improvement Project, Kern County – Virtual Meeting was held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 10:00 – 10:30 am
The Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) is a plan for the incremental implementation of the long-range Regional Transportation Plan. The FTIP presents to federal funding agencies manageable components for the funding of long-term plans.
Current and previous FTIP documents are available here.
The Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) embarked on a study to determine how advanced technologies can reshape the future of transportation in the Kern Region. The combination of both urban and rural land uses in Kern County results in a unique crosssection of transportation challenges. Intelligent Transportation Systems offer the potential to address these problems, often at a substantial cost savings over traditional solutions such as building new roads or adding new lanes. By applying advanced technologies to the surface transportation network, mobility can be improved in a safe and efficient manner that will help preserve the quality of life and healthy local economy that Kern County enjoys.
Kern COG, along with a regionwide Steering Committee, spearheaded efforts that will result in a practical plan to meet the transportation needs of Kern County well into the 21st century. Input from area residents, business owners, and public officials was critical to identify the goals and transportation needs of those that live and work in Kern County. There were many opportunities throughout this 15 month project for the public to provide input to the project, including rural area public workshops, urban area special event exhibits, group meetings, and ITS UPDATE newsletter which provided a progress report on study findings and informative articles on current ITS technologies and programs.
The entire idea of a regional ITS is founded on these basic building blocks working together to improve the efficiency and safety of the community’s overall transportation network.
Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS)
Advanced Rural Transportation Systems (ARTS)
Commercial Vehicle Operation (CVO)
Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
Advanced Vehicle Control and Safety Systems (AVCSS)
Problems & Opportunities
The following is a “Top 10” list of the most frequently identified needs and deficiencies:
roadway safety during recurring, severe weather
roadway safety related to extremely high truck volumes
air quality improvement
congestion due to continued population growth
roadway and traffic information for emergency
management during earthquakes
emergency response for rural travelers
information sharing and coordination
among public agencies
realtime traveler information dissemination
road closure information
improved transit operations
10-Year Vision: Kern ITS Programs
Six programs have been developed which will make Kern’s transportation system a more intelligent one in terms of improving the safety and efficiency of day to day travel within and through the region. These initial programs will be implemented over the next ten years to build a sound, strong foundation for future technologies and strategies. These Kern ITS programs represent the first integration of rural and urban ITS solutions in California, and will facilitate the integration and coordination of transportation and ITS applications region and statewide in conjunction with other EDPs being developed throughout California.
Kern Traveler Safety Program
Kern Informed Traveler Program (TravelKIT)
Enhanced Emergency Response Program
Kern Smart Transit Program
Traffic and Incident Management Program
Communication Network Development Program
ITS on the Web
Check out the directory for Rural ITS. You can also access the main US Department of Transportation’s web site which can connect you with transportation related web sites from around the world.
Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS)
ATMS and ATIS are key components that help traffic run smoothly, particularly in congested urban areas. Some examples include:
Traffic signal coordination
Freeway ramp meter signals
Changeable message signs (CMS) to warn drivers of upcoming road closures, accidents, and other hazards
Public kiosks, dial in phone numbers, and Internet web sites to provide travelers with realtime traffic and weather information
Advanced Rural Transportation Systems (ARTS)
ARTS use some of the same technologies found in an urban ATMS and ATIS, but focus on addressing the unique travel conditions along rural roadways, including:
Hazardous weather warnings
Animal crossings
Motorist emergency services, such as call boxes and in vehicle MAYDAY devices
Commercial Vehicle Operation (CVO)
CVO technologies generally allow drivers with proper documentation to have their vehicles cleared without stopping at weigh stations or ports of entry. Some examples include:
Electronic credential checking
Weigh-in-motion
In vehicle computers allowing vehicle-to-roadside communications
Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
APTS are designed to improve transit service and passenger safety. Some programs that are currently operational include:
Electronic payment (VISA/MC/debit cards) provides a convenient payment option for transit fare, and minimizes the amount of cash a passenger needs to carry
Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology allows a dispatch center to “track” its buses, which improves response time in case of an accident as well as up to the minute information on bus schedule and arrival times
Traveler information kiosks with current transit information give passengers current status of bus schedules and available routes
Advanced Vehicle Control and Safety Systems (AVCSS)
Several AVCSS are in testing phases, but there are a few that are commercially available:
Sensors that detect impending crashes (head on/rear end/lateral collision) and warn drivers of hazards and obstructions
Blind spot detectors, which have also been implemented on school buses (pilot program)
Visibility enhancement for driving at night or in severe weather, such as fog or dust
Kern Traveler Safety Program
Traveler safety concerns in Kern vary from adverse weather conditions, to red light violations, to railroad crossing safety. This program combines proven technologies with newer, innovative applications to provide Kern with an aggressive, “cutting edge” approach to rural and urban safety.
Kern Informed Traveler Program (TravelKIT)
Making Kern travelers more informed travelers will reduce congestion and the number of avoidable accidents when advance warnings are available. The best way to keep the transportation system working safely and efficiently is to get information to travelers quickly. This allows travelers to make informed decisions about when to leave for a trip, which route to take, and even what mode of transportation would be best.
Enhanced Emergency Response Program
The Enhanced Emergency Response Program improves the safety of the transportation system by providing police, sheriff, fire, ambulance and other emergency service providers with the tools that they need to quickly and accurately determine the fastest and safest routes.
Kern Smart Transit Program
The Kern Smart Transit Program applies to the Kern Regional Transit and the Golden Empire Transit (GET) systems. The program improves the efficiency and productivity of the transit systems, enabling them to provide better, more reliable service; extend coverage temporally and geographically; and become more self sustaining in terms of costs and revenue.
Traffic and Incident Management Program
Traffic and incident management improves day to day traffic operations through the use of advanced technologies and proven management strategies. This means that accidents get cleared more quickly, daily traffic problems are relieved, roadway safety is improved, and agencies can get more done.
Communication Network Development Program
An extensive communications network will be provided to connect different agencies within the region to allow cooperation and coordination in operating and managing the transportation system.
The key to successful implementation of the EDP lies in the thorough identification of the specific needs of the Kern Region.
We encourage you to express your comments by contacting Raquel Pacheco.
2024 Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Blueprint Update
The 2024 Kern Electric Vehicle Charging Station Blueprint will address the following topics in the 2019 Kern EVCS Blueprint: report on the implementation of the 2019 Kern EVCS Blueprint and the current inventory of EV charging infrastructure in Kern County, examine and update the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (EVI) gaps and siting analysis (EVCS deployment schedule, and locations), revisit the goals and strategies to develop a 5-year plan for the deployment of EV Charging Stations for Light-Duty Vehicles in Kern County communities, examine opportunities and recommend how Kern COG, its member agencies, and the Kern County community can best take advantage of the numerous local, state, and federal funding opportunities. The scheduled completion of the Blueprint Update is June 2024.
Kern Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Blueprint
The purpose of the Kern Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Blueprint is to accelerate the deployment of zero emission transportation to help reach Kern COG 2018 Regional Transportation Plan air quality goals. Kern COG was awarded a grant of $200,000 from the California Energy Commission to create a Kern EVCS Blueprint. Kern COG staff, the consultant Center for Sustainable Energy and the Kern EVCS Work Group (WG) are working to complete a draft Kern EVCS Blueprint in March 2019 and a completed Blueprint in May 2019.
Kern COG’s Annual Report provides an overview of the results achieved by various projects conducted throughout the fiscal year.
Kern COG’s traditional newsletter, the Kern COG Quarterly, is published up to four times a year and is designed to keep the public informed of fiscal operations.
