Maryland takes CSC contract to streets

Computer Sciences Corp. will provide technical and business services to the Maryland State Highway Administration under a contract worth as much as $44 million.

The project focuses on the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) system. CHART, a transportation management system, aims to improve travel on the state’s highways. Its Web site provides information on roadway conditions via a geographic information system mapping application and other motorist aids.

Under the contract, CSC will provide systems integration, development testing and deployment of an enhanced CHART system. The contract has a five-year base period and five one-year options. It follows a separate network management contract with Maryland’s highway administration that CSC won in 1997.

CSC’s partners on the new contract include several Maryland-based companies: Enterprise Information Systems of Columbia, Skyline Network Engineering of Eldersburg, Televant Farradyne of Rockville, Turnkey Technologies of Mount Airy and Web Traffic of Crofton. CSC also teamed with Blue Collar Objects of Fairfax, Va.

CHART represents Maryland’s entry into the intelligent transportation systems arena, according to the program’s Web site. The statewide program originated in the mid-1980s as the “Reach the Beach” effort, which sought to ease travel to Maryland’s eastern shore.

The CHART Board directs the program. It consists of technical and operational employees from the Maryland State Highway Administration, Transportation Authority and State Police; the Federal Highway Administration; the University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Transportation Technology; and local government representatives.