Using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technologies and Strategies to Better Manage Congestion

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Using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Technologies and Strategies to Better Manage
Congestion
Traffic Congestion Issues and Options
Symposium June 26, 2003

• Jeffrey F. Paniati
• Associate Administrator of Operations
• Acting Director, ITS Joint Program Office
• Federal Highway Administration

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Overview

• Traffic Congestion How Do We Attack?
• Role of Transportation System Management and
  Operations
• Examples Whats Possible using 21st Century
  Operations and 21st Century Technologies

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Traffic Congestion Causes

• RECURRING
• Insufficient capacity
• Unrestrained demand
• Ineffective management of capacity (e.g. poor
  signal timing)

• NON-RECURRING
• Incidents
• Work zones
• Weather events
• Special events
• Emergencies (e.g. hurricanes)

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How is the congestion pie sliced?
Incidents (crashes, disabled vehicles)
Other recurring
Weather (snow, ice, fog)
Work Zones
Other non-recurring e.g. special events
Poor signal timing
Total delay about 5 billion hours per year
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Making a Difference Long-term Initiatives for
Recurring Delay

• Build Additional Mainline Capacity
• Remove Bottlenecks
• Travel Demand Management
• Use Technology to Better
• Manage Traffic

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Making a Difference Short-term Initiatives for
Non-Recurring Delay

• Implement Traffic Incident Management
• Programs
• Implement Work Zone Mobility Strategies
  
• Manage Weather-related Events
• Manage Special Events
• Provide Timely Traveler
• Information

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Transportation System Management
OperationsImprove reliability, safety, and
security through 21st Century Operations using
21st Century Technology

• 21st Century Operations
• Proactive
• Customer view
• Regional system base
• 24/7
• Performance based
• Real-time information

• 21st Century Technology
• Advanced Signal Control
• Ramp metering
• Work Zone Management
• Traffic Incident Management
• Real-Time Transportation (traveler) Information
• Emergency/Evacuation Management
• Freight Management
• In Short, ITS

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Transportation System Management and Operations

• Application Areas
• Work Zone Management
• Traffic Incident Management
• Road Weather Management
• Enablers
• Dedicated Short Range Communication
• Transportation Management Centers
• Advanced Traveler Information

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Work Zone Management

• Strategies
• Reduce Number and Duration of Work Zones
• Improve Traffic Management in Work Zones
• Provide Travelers with Information and Options

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Work Zone Management

• Techniques
• Work Zone Self-Assessments
• Federal Rule Making on Work Zone Management
• Full Road Closures
• Variable Speed Limits in Work Zones

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Traffic Incident Management

• Strategies
• Establish Response and Clearance Procedures and
  Policies
• Support Integrated Interagency Communications
• Institutionalize Traffic Incident Management

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• Traffic Incident Management
• Techniques
• Traffic Incident Management
• Self-Assessments
• Integrated Incident
• Management Systems
• CAD-TMC Operational Test
• Incident Management Coalition

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Road Weather Management

• Strategies
• Develop accurate, real-time road weather
  information
• Develop operator control strategies to minimize
  weather impacts
• Develop traffic management for adverse weather
  conditions

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Road Weather Management

• Techniques
• NOAA/DOT Surface Weather Partnership
• Maintenance Decision Support System
• Traffic Management Strategies

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• Dedicated Short Range Communications
• Electronic Toll Collection 75 Percent Toll
  Lanes with ETC
• Managed Lanes
• WiFi Highway

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Transportation Management Centers

• Facility Management
• Corridor Management
• Regional Management

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Advanced Traveler Information

• Variable Message Signs
• 511 14 percent National coverage, 17
  Jurisdictions
• Dynamic Route Guidance

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Summary

• Addressing congestion requires a comprehensive
  approach
• Capacity, Demand Management, Operations
• 21st Century Operations using 21st Century
  Technology can make a difference
• For More Information
• Operations Web Site http//www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov
• ITS Web Site http//www.its.dot.gov
• B/C Database http//benefitcost.its.dot.gov