Institutional Arrangements Examples
The examples on this page illustrate how some states and regions are building institutional arrangements. If you have an example that you'd like to share, please send an email describing what your state or region is doing to p4o@dot.gov.
Strong Ties between Planning and Operations in Maryland
Although there is not a formal structure for collaboration among planners and operators in Montgomery County, Maryland, the Operations Division of Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) and the Montgomery County Department of Parks and Planning in the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) find numerous opportunities to work together for improved transportation system performance. Their working relationship was solidified in part by a former transportation coordinator at DPWT who moved to M-NCPPC. This opened new channels for communication as the former operations practitioner could bring operations issues to the planning agency, communicate with operators, and give credibility to M-NCPPC among transportation operators. The relationship between DPWT and M-NCPPC continues to be strengthened by such relationships between personnel, but it is no longer dependent upon individuals within the agencies. The familiarity with each other's practices and long history of cooperating on projects has helped these agencies to seize opportunities for collaboration.
For more information about this example, contact Emil Wolanin: Emil.Wolanin@montgomerycountymd.gov.
National Capital Region's Management, Operations, and ITS Task Force
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) initiated an ITS Task Force in 1997. After the region received federal earmark funding for ITS, the task force attracted interest from a number of agencies in the region. These agencies collaborated to develop CapWIN, a wireless integrated mobile communications network that supports coordination between public safety and transportation agencies. Later that year, the TBP divided the Task Force into a technical task force and a policy task force. This facilitated the direct involvement of policy-level officials in ITS activities, while maintaining the capacity to address technical details associated with ITS integration and coordination. In 2001, the TBP changed the name of the two task forces to the Management, Operations, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (MOITS) Policy Task Force and the MOITS Technical Task Force to reflect a broader focus on management and operations from a regional perspective.
For more information about this example, contact Andrew Meese: ameese@mwcog.org.
Central Florida's Regional Operations Consortium Helps Attract Federal Funds
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Operations Consortium began as an ITS Working Group seeking to improve interagency coordination on ITS projects. Agencies involved include the state DOT district office, turnpike and expressway authorities, several cities and counties, the regional transit agency, and the local state highway patrol troop. The group formalized this relationship in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The object of this MOU is to, "Establish the organizational structure to promote coordinated decisionmaking and information sharing in planning, developing, and funding a Regional Transportation Operations Consortium of operating agencies within the Central Florida region for the deployment, operation, and maintenance of ITS initiatives."
In May 2003, FHWA awarded a $20 million grant for the Florida model deployment program. The existence of a body that was actively collaborating on operations played an important role in the contract award. FHWA recognized the value of this strategic partnering in making the most effective use of ITS deployment dollars.
For more information about this example, contact David Grovdahl: dgrovdahl@metroplanorlando.com.
Innovative Institutional Arrangements – Operations in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Institutional Structure
The institutional structure of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the MPO for the San Francisco Bay Area, promotes parity between transportation planning and operations. MTC is heavily involved in operations activities, such as the Freeway Service Program, the ITS Early Deployment Plan, a traffic engineering technical assistance program, and an advanced traveler information system.
To reflect its growing role in operations, MTC reorganized its structure into two units: operations and policy. The operations branch is concerned with bridge and highway operations, transit coordination and access, and advanced systems applications. The policy branch focuses on planning, finance, programming and allocations, and legislation and public affairs.
For more information about this example, contact Ann Flemer: aflemer@mtc.ca.gov.
Operations Division Does Planning at Washington State DOT
Washington State DOT is developing a statewide multi-modal transportation plan. For the first time, the operations division of the agency is leading the development of the highway component of this plan. This represents the DOT's realization that operations issues form the foundation for the state's highway strategy and priorities. The state thus determined that highway system operations expertise was needed at the leadership of this component of the plan. Because the operations division has developed sufficient familiarity with the planning process over several years of collaboration, the DOT felt comfortable with this division leading a component of the statewide plan.
For more information about this example, contact Toby Rickman: Rickman@wsdot.wa.gov.