Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations Examples
The examples on this page illustrate how some states and regions are implementing regional TSM&O. 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.
Operations Coordination Peaks for Nebraska's Emergency Management Exercises
The Nebraska Department of Roads has been involved in extensive disaster preparedness training exercises. They have observed high levels of collaboration and cooperation among agency divisions and regions during the exercise development and execution process. These training exercises have led to a better understanding of the physical assets and expertise available to each agency and region, helping to promote greater collaboration in day-to-day management and operations activities.
For more information about this example, contact Jim Schmailzl: jschmail@dor.state.ne.us.
HOV Projects Drive Coordination at Washington State DOT
There have been major debates within the Seattle region regarding who has driving privileges in the HOV lanes. Operations managers at the state DOT recognized that these policy concerns were the domain of planning practitioners. Planners who became involved with HOV policy development had to learn everything about the operation of such facilities so that they could make well-informed policy decisions. As a result of taking the time to understand the systems operations issues associated with HOV operations, these planners have gained a broader connection with operations staff and have been exposed to "operations thinking."
For more information about this example, contact Toby Rickman: rickman@wsdot.wa.gov.
Kansas City Operation Green Light
Operation Green Light is a joint effort between State and local governments to synchronize traffic signals on 1500 intersections throughout the Kansas City area in order to improve traffic flow and air quality. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the area's MPO, is the umbrella under which the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation and 17 area cities work together to develop coordinated timing plans and signal communication systems. The coincidence of several key events helped bring Operation Green Light into existence. In 1998, MARC allocated funds to study the impact of traffic signal coordination on emissions reduction. That same year the Missouri DOT and the Public Works Department of Kansas City conducted a study addressing common hardware standards for traffic signal equipment. In the summer of 1998, the two studies were combined and resulted in a recommendation for regional signal timing coordination. With its recent eligibility for CMAQ funds, the Kansas City region was able to initiate Operation Green Light. At the present time, the region is assembling resources and working with local agencies to deploy signal timing plans. Operation Green Light is expected to reduce traffic delays, improve traffic flow, reduce emissions, and assist in managing changes in traffic patterns resulting from a new freeway management system.
For more information about this example, contact Ron Achelpohl: rona@marc.org.
Austin's TMC Is Building New Interagency Connections
In its initial several weeks of operation, the Combined Transportation, Emergency and Communications Center (CTECC) in the Austin, Texas region demonstrated its capacity to increase coordination between traffic operations, emergency services, and police departments. For example, by facilitating direct communication between the traffic operations and emergency services staff, the center has increased awareness about traffic impacts caused by accidents so that emergency vehicles are less likely to unnecessarily block traffic. As the region considers new projects in the future that involve emergency services, the CTECC will provide a forum to involve the broad range of management and operations constituents in regional planning.
For more information about this example, contact Brian Burk: bburk@dot.state.tx.us.
Dallas/Fort Worth Region Olympic Bid Lessons
In preparing a bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Dallas/Fort Worth region worked collaboratively to design a system of managed lanes throughout the region. Through this planning exercise, operations managers and planning staff learned that managed lanes were the only feasible way to provide rapid priority travel to particular sites. Although Dallas did not win the Olympic bid, the planning exercise resulted in some important lessons about the flexibility of a regional managed lane network.
For more information about this example, contact Dan Lamers: dlamers@nctcog.org.
Bay Area Freeway Service Patrol
Established in 1992, the Bay Area Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) is a joint project between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways, the California Highway Service Patrol, and the California DOT. The 74 FSP trucks patrol 450 miles of the Bay Area freeways to clear crashes, remove debris, and help stranded motorists without a fee. FSP's fast response time helps to reduce congestion and secondary crashes. Patrol trucks are equipped with advanced communications equipment, including an automatic vehicle location system to assist in dispatch. As an indication of its widespread success, on March 24, 2003, FSP recorded its 1 millionth driver assist.
For more information about this example, contact Rod McMillan: rmcmillan@mtc.ca.gov.