US DOT Planning for Operations Initiative – An Update

1. US DOT Planning for Operations Initiative – An Update AASHTO SCOH Annual Meeting June 14-17, 2009 Manchester, NH Rick Backlund – FHWA Office of Operations

2. Planning for Operations:Overview & Where We Are Headed • Why Are We Advancing Planning for Operations? • Our Roadmap • More Detail on Current Activities • FY 2009 and Beyond – Our Focus & Next Steps

3. Why This Program? • Enhance & strengthen both planning & operations functions to support regional operations in 21st Century • Enhance regional decision-making process so that operations investments are fully considered as transportation investment decisions are advanced

4. Our Goal • Improve performance of regional transportation systems through: • Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach • Enhance Collaboration & Coordination between Planners & Operators • Integrate Congestion Management Process (CMP) and Management & Operation (M&O) strategies in Metropolitan Transportation Plans THE RESULT:Better Decisions Made on Operations Projects & Programs Advanced

5. Advancing the Effort - Our Team • FHWA Office of Operations • FHWA Office of Planning, Environment & Realty • FHWA Office of Safety • FTA – Office of Planning & Environment

6. The Road Map – FY 05-06 Foundation of Program • Engaging Operators & Planners on Collaborative Work Happening • Documents Showcasing the Collaboration • Regional Concept for Transportation Operations • Getting More By Working Together • Regional Transp. Operations Collaboration & Coordination

7. The Road Map – FY 07-08 Laying Out the Approach • Creating Objectives-Driven, Performance Based Guidebooks for CMP and M&O • Outreach Program Launched to Discuss Approach & Create National Discussion • Developing Technical Tools to Support “The How” • Model Transportation Plans Incorporation Operations & Safety Objectives • Statewide Planning for Operations Primer • Innovative Analysis Methods Report

8. Current Status of Major Activities • Interim Guidebook Documents & Outreach Efforts • Model Transportation Plans • Statewide Planning for Operations • Innovative Analysis Methods Report & Outreach • National Workshop - Advancing Regional Operations

9. CMP and M&O Interim Guidebooks • Interim Documents: Completed • May to December 2008: Comment Period To Seek Input on Documents: Completed • Based on Public Input - Guidebooks Will be Finalized as One Reference Guide: “Advancing Planning for Operations for Metropolitan Areas” Completed Reference Guide Becomes Bedrock of Our Approach As We Move Into Program’s Next Steps

10. Interim Guidebooks Outreach Efforts • Communications Strategy – The Focus Areas: • Informational Workshops • Web Seminars • Updating of FHWA, NHI & NTI Training Courses • Brochure for Decision makers • CD of Ready-Made Presentations

11. The Approach

12. Operations Objectives in the Planning Process

13. How does M&O and CMP connect? Regional operations objectives in the MTP • The CMP actualizes the operations objectives through a systematic approach for: • Developing performance measures • Identifying and analyzing problems • Collecting data • Developing strategies • Monitoring performance Congestion mitigation strategies including M&O strategies

14. Model Transportation Plans New Initiative with Offices of Planning & Safety • Outgrowth of Work with Offices of Planning & Safety as part of TSP Committee • Product Envisioned: Primer with Menus of Model Regional Operations with Associated Safety Benefits In Transportation Plans • Goal: Provide Best Practice Objectives in Regional Operations & Safety for small, medium and large sized MPOs

15. Model Transportation Plans New Initiative with Offices of Planning & Safety • October 2008 Project Kick-Off Conducted • Completed: 1st Peer Exchange May 5-6th in Baltimore – Information will help to formulate Draft Document • Representatives of MPOs, State DOTs & Transit Providers will participate in 15 member group

16. Statewide Planning for Operations & Safety Advance Objectives Driven, Performance Based Approach & Collaboration Between Planning, Operations & Safety in State DOTs • Use Momentum From Overall Guidebooks Outreach to Advance Performance Based Approach with AASHTO & States • Initial Primer Document on Statewide Planning for Operations (SP&O) Completed June 2008 & Distributed to State DOTs and FHWA Field Offices

17. Statewide Planning for Operations & Safety • Completed: Focused Initial Peer Exchange May 19-20, 2009 - AASHTO’s Offices • Met with AASHTO SSOM Presenting SP&O Primer Document – DoneAugust 2008 • Initial Peer Exchange - December 9, 2008 • Commence “How To” Reference Guidebook for State DOTs – Kick-off meeting held November 6th

18. Innovative Analysis Methods Report & Outreach Technical Tools to Model Operations in Planning • Summer 2009: Completion of Report Showcasing Technical Tools Available to Planners & Operators to model Operations program in Planning process • Sept-Oct 2009: Conduct Two Interactive Outreach Workshops to Highlight Tools Recommended in Report • Additional Workshops to Follow – FY2010

19. National Workshop on Advancing Regional Operations • Held December 10-12, 2008 – Washington DC • Jointly Held with TRB RTSMO Committee • Over 100 attendees – Representatives of MPOs, State DOTs, Public Safety and Freight Orgs • Draft Report Being Completed • Focus Was Metro Areas: Improving Inter-Agency Collaboration in Operation of Transportation Systems • Identifying Opportunities for Collaboration • Formulating New Approaches that can be advanced in Metro areas Laying the Research Framework to Advance This Approach As We Move Forward

20. The Road Map – FY 2009 & Beyond.. Moving Forward Advancing the Program • GAUGE PROGRESS • Are We Achieving Results from this Effort? • Benchmark Existing Practices • FOCUSED PROGRAM • Conduct Targeted Workshops and Technical Assistance • DEMAND MANAGEMENT & THE CMP • Provide Guidance to analyze traffic impacts of demand management actions as part of Congestion Management Process

21. The Road Map – FY 2009 & Beyond.. • Benchmarking Existing Program • Evaluate Success by Areas in Adopting Planning for Operations practices • Implement Method Monitoring Progress integrating Operations in Metro & Statewide Plans utilizing Annual Certification Reviews • Focused Technical Outreach Program • Conduct targeted Technical Assistance to select MPOs • Hands-on Workshops & Support. • Help selected MPO’s develop Objectives-based Regional Plans for Operations • Demand Management & The CMP • Develop guidance to analyze traffic impacts of Demand Management Actions as part of Congestion Management Process

22. For More Information: Visit Our Website on Planning for Operations at:http://www.plan4operations.dot.gov Contact: • Rick Backlund, FHWA-Operations, Richard.Backlund@dot.gov, 202-366-8333 • Egan Smith, FHWA-Planning, Egan.Smith@dot.gov, 202-366-6072 • John Sprowls, FTA-Planning, John.Sprowls@dot.gov, 202-366-5362