Managing Traffic Congestion with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

1. Traffic Congestion: Issues and Options Symposium June 26, 2003 Using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technologies and Strategies to Better Manage Congestion Jeffrey F. Paniati Associate Administrator of Operations Acting Director, ITS Joint Program Office Federal Highway Administration

2. Overview • Traffic Congestion – How Do We Attack? • Role of Transportation System Management and Operations • Examples – What’s Possible using 21st Century Operations and 21st Century Technologies

3. 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) Traffic Congestion Causes

4. 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

5. Making a Difference: Long-term Initiatives forRecurring Delay • Build Additional Mainline Capacity • Remove Bottlenecks • Travel Demand Management • Use Technology to Better Manage Traffic

6. Making a Difference: Short-term Initiatives forNon-Recurring Delay • Implement Traffic Incident Management Programs • Implement Work Zone Mobility Strategies • Manage Weather-related Events • Manage Special Events • Provide Timely Traveler Information

7. 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 Transportation System Management & OperationsImprove reliability, safety, and security through “21st Century Operations using 21st Century Technology”

8. 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

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

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

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

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

13. 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

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

15. Dedicated Short Range Communications • Electronic Toll Collection – 75 Percent Toll Lanes with ETC • Managed Lanes • “WiFi Highway”

16. Transportation Management Centers • Facility Management • Corridor Management • Regional Management

17. Advanced Traveler Information • Variable Message Signs • 511 – 14 percent National coverage, 17 Jurisdictions • Dynamic Route Guidance

18. 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