Managed Freeways Policy and Guidelines

1. Managed Freeways Policy and Guidelines Kathy Boddington ARRB Group 21st March 2013

2. Outline • The ‘what, why, how, who and where’ • Introduction to key documents

3. WHAT are they? Managed Freeways Documentation Framework Aim: Support planning and design of managed freeways to deliver the best operational outcomes in terms of an efficient and safe freeway network

4. WHAT are they? • High-level policy / guidelines • Network-wide • Problems and solutions • Services and tools • Key principles and processes • Detailed design guidance • Network-wide • Operational requirements • Specifications and standards • Procedures • Detailed • Project level • Specific objectives and targets • RO&DS outputs

5. WHY do we need them? Purpose: • apply latest theory and research to WA network • guideMRWA staff and industry • governproject design and delivery • communicate critical elements for success • ensurenetwork consistency and operational efficiency • deliver benefits and value for money • engagestakeholders to achieve joint ownership • support MRWA in implementing change Managed Freeways is a new way of doing business

6. HOW have they been developed? ARRB commissioned to assist Main Roads WA Operations planning Safety management Leadership / change management Transport planning Traffic engineering Stakeholder engagement Electronics / telecomms engineering Systems engineering Approach: • multi-disciplinary • learn from others • undertake/apply new research • consult with key stakeholders Traffic modelling Risk management Procurement Real-time network operations

7. WHO are they for & WHERE can I find them? WHO • MRWA directorates responsible for MF delivery/operations • MRWA supply chain • other stakeholders WHERE • all documents will be made available publically on Main Roads’ website: www.mainroads.wa.gov.aux

8. Key Policy and Guidelines Documents Also - Operational safety risk management process

9. MF Policy Overview: • statement of intent • key objectives • key principles • governance/ownership Aim: define the objectives and principles for network-wide Managed Freeways implementation, so that all projects are aligned to achieve a common vision

10. MF Policy – Intent and Objectives Main Roads is committed to progressively incorporating Managed Freeways technology into the existing and future freeways and to thereby provide the most productive and resilient freeway capable of delivering the maximum travel reliability, efficiency, safety and sustainability benefits to the community. driver experience efficiency sustainability safety network resilience productivity ‘smart roads’ reliability of travel times

11. MF Policy – Key Principles and Governance national consistency integrated transport system whole-of-network network analysis for ITS selection systems engineering approach proven technologies - WLC road user/driver perspective ongoing performance M&E manage innovation and develop skills Requirements: minimum level of ITS MF designs subject to audits

12. MF Provision Guidelines (1) Overview: • introduction to MF concept • contemporary traffic theory and research • defining the problem – traffic flow and capacity analysis • description of Managed Freeways ‘toolbox’ • warrants for Managed Freeways tools • high-level design guidance Aim: guide freeway design in terms of determining the performance ‘problem’ and targeted traffic management ‘solution’, whilst delivering a consistent driving experience

13. MF Provision Guidelines (2) MF toolkit: Control Network Intelligence Traveller Information Foundation level ITS A Managed Freeway is a freeway comprising well-designed infrastructure and where out of the higher order ITS tools (i.e. above foundation-level ITS) at least coordinated ramp signals have been applied as appropriate in order to achieve Main Roads’ objectives for optimal freeway performance.

14. MF Provision Guidelines (3) • contemporary traffic flow theory • freeway traffic analysis

15. MF Provision Guidelines (4) Source: Main Roads Western Australia 1 minute data (15 min rolling average)

16. MF Provision Guidelines (5)

17. MF Provision Guidelines (6) Source: Main Roads Western Australia 1 minute data (15 minute rolling average)

18. MF Provision Guidelines (7) • congested freeways require management of system • treat causes not symptoms • freeway capacity at merge areas is affected by supply of traffic at entry ramps • manage critical occupancy (density) on mainline with CRS • develop resilient transport system that can absorb ‘shock’ and recover in the event of flow breakdown due to an incident etc. • manage access to mainline with CRS (and other tools) • prevent occurrence of flow breakdown by intervening at flow level when flow breakdown is likely to start occurring • rather then maximum flows/speeds • maximum theoretical capacities used for freeway design are rarely achieved or sustained in practice • use operational capacity values based on flow breakdown prob. of 10%

19. MF Provision Guidelines (8) - Warrants Managed Freeways: • Apply to: • moderate-heavy traffic flows i.e. >15,000 veh/lane – current volumes • sections where recurrent flow breakdown occurs • Aim to prevent flow breakdown by ameliorating or minimising critical bottlenecks: • FIRST - geometric modifications to mainline/ramps • THEN – identify ITS tools/strategies that can deliver required services Peak period traffic flow rate – estimated future volumes (5 yr + 10yr check) CRS ≥ 1,800 pc/h/lane (≈1,700 veh/h/lane) VSL ≥ 2,000 pc/h/lane (≈1,900 veh/h/lane) LUMS for emergency lane running ≥ 2,200 pc/h/lane (≈2,100 veh/h/lane)

20. Operational Efficiency Audit Guidelines (1) Overview: • audit purpose and objectives • audit process • technical guidance for auditors on project/design review • audit outcomes Aim: undertake independent audits of MF projects to identify opportunities for improving design to ensure efficient management and operation of freeway traffic

21. Operational Efficiency Audit Guidelines (2) What: • independent audit by qualified and approved experts • consider operational objectives for the freeway • identify critical risks/issues and make recommendations for improvement • scope includes civil (mainline/ramps/interchanges) and ITS Why: • delivers significant benefits at minimal cost, particularly when undertaken early on in design process When: • applies to all freeway projects • can be used at various stages of RO&DS process

22. Operational Efficiency Audit Guidelines (3) Technical areas / checklists: • traffic flow analysis • performance and service definition • mainline operation • entry ramp operation • freeway-to-freeway operation • exit ramp operation • arterial interchange operation • on-road traveller information • LUMS • VSL • traffic data collection • CCTV • emergency telephones

23. MF Operational Safety Risk Mgt (1) Systematic process: • clear and cost-effective • improve consistency • identify areas for additional safety risk reduction • set realistic targets • provide auditable trail of decision-making Aim: to ensure that when a freeway project become operational it is safe for road users, road workers and third parties that live/work nearby

24. MF Operational Safety Risk Mgt (2) Contact: Ryszard Gorell MRWA

25. Guide to Traveller Information Displays (1) Aim: provide a plan for why, where and how VMS should be used to provide real-time information to freeway users, including guidance on what information should be displayed Arterial: Freeway:

26. Example – CRS Policy: identify that ramp signals are an ITS service that can deliver against Main Roads’ objective to maximise freeway productivity and efficiency Provision guidelines: determine to implement coordinated ramp signals to manage mainline traffic flows within capacity of a critical bottleneck, where current traffic flows exceed warrant Audit guidelines: confirm project proposals provide sufficient control over entering traffic to manage efficient mainline operation and ramps have appropriate capacity/storage Operational safety risk management: re-assess ratings for existing hazards and identify any new hazards that may arise within a MF environment using coordinated ramp signals VMS traveller information plan: ensure that installation of VMS on freeway and arterial approaches will support CRS in managing access to the freeway and improving safety, particularly during congestion and incidents

27. Conclusion • be aware of and use available guidance • engage with Main Roads to support you in using the guidelines