Multimodal Coordination Regional Operations Leadership Forum

Session Purpose Introduce Multimodal Coordination as a TSMO strategy Provide understanding of: What is Multimodal Coordination? Why is it important? What are the benefits? Examples of Multimodal Coordination leadership actions

What is Multimodal Coordination? Multimodal Coordination includes strategies associated with the day-to-day operations and logistics of two or more modes of transportation in a defined geographic area to move people and goods in an efficient, safe, secure, and environmentally sound manner So what do we mean by multimodal transportation management………..a working definition I’d offer is this…….. That multimodal transportation management includes one or more strategies associated with the day-to-day operations and logistics of two or more modes of transportation to move people and/or goods in an efficient, safe, secure, and environmentally sound manner……. ……..to elaborate further ………

Transportation Modes Examples of the modes of transportation include: Highway Transit Rideshare and Carpool Rail Water Air Pedestrian and Bicycle The transportation modes being managed could cover a single corridor or a complex to network. Depending on the geographic location and the size of the service area modes can be of all types including highways, rail, water and air transportation, and non-motorized services……….. highways include, for example, private autos, buses, trucks, first responders, rail includes commuter rail, heavy and light rail, freight trains……….. water transportation including commuter boats, cargo ships at ports, barges on the intra-coastal waterway……… air transportation includes passenger and freight airline services, helicopter services, airport ground access facilities……….. and finally non-motorized includes pedestrians and cyclists…..

Geographic Coverage Urban or rural Metropolitan Inter-urban, statewide, or multi-state Strategies often involve collaboration and modal interfaces offering passenger and freight services ……….multimodal management occurs in local urban and rural areas as well as at the metropolitan , statewide, or multistate level……. and often it involves collaboration between local and state highway, transit, public works, and parking agencies in conjunction with emergency responders, towing services, human service agencies, and other groups……….. These collaborative activities may also be viewed in terms of modal interfaces………. For example, a common passenger transportation interface may include …………a commuter driving or cycling from home to a park and ride lot, storing their car or bike at the lot, and boarding a commuter rail train ……… or a cyclist riding to a bus stop, storing the bicycle on a rack mounted on the front of the bus, and then boarding the bus……... On the freight side, a common interface occurs between CVOs traveling along major interstate corridors and freight rail terminals or major seaport facilities.

Multimodal Coordination Objectives Reduce travel time variability Improve accessibility Reduce costs Improve safety Reduce environmental impacts Ok, now that we have a sense of what we mean by multimodal transportation management let’s consider the objectives we try to achieve with such management strategies……. …..First and often foremost is the objective to reduce travel time variability or stated another way to increase travel time reliability, an objective often associated with non-recurring congestion………. ……Another objective is to improve accessibility which means making it easier to get to where you want to go….. ……A third objective is to reduce cost which may include all kinds of costs both fixed and variable incurred by travelers, shippers, and various modal operators……… ……Another objective is to improve safety by reducing crash levels and severity……. …..And finally another objective may center around improving air quality and other environmental conditions….......

Other Important Dimensions to Multimodal Coordination Equity concerns System and user/shipper cost impacts Land use development/accessibility Community livability It should also be noted …..as will be observed in the 3 illustrative examples presented next …..that there are other impacts associated with the way multimodal management strategies are implemented……… ……..Some impacts are intended and some unintended…… These impacts may for example relate to equity concerns, unanticipated system and user or shipper cost impacts, land use development/accessibility, and community livability issues……….

Major Potential Sources of Unreliable Travel Times Traffic incidents Work zones Demand fluctuations Special events Traffic control devices Weather Inadequate base capacity Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

Example Strategies Inter-Agency Coordination and Information Sharing Signal Coordination and Preemption Multimodal Video Monitoring Traveler Information System HOT Managed lanes Multimodal Electronic Payment Systems (e.g. tolls, parking and transit) Infrastructure Modernization Implementation of ITS Technologies Expansion and Integration of Public Transit Shift of Freight Movement on Off-Peak Hours To illustrate how some multi-modal management strategies have been implemented across the U.S. let’s take a brief look at what has been done in Virginia, Washington State, and the New York New Jersey metropolitan area……. A commonality among all three examples is that the management strategies appear to be an outgrowth of an area-wide comprehensive transportation planning process and a plan championed by a lead agency…….. ………In Virginia the lead was the Virginia DOT, in Washington it was the Washington State DOT, and in the NYNJ Metro area it was the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey………..

Why is it Important? New technologies make multimodal trips more feasible Ridesharing and ridesharing apps Autonomous “last mile” shuttles Bikeshare Infrastructure may have to adapt Provide facilities for multi-modal exchange Support bicycle and other non-motorized modes in urban areas Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

Why is it Important? Multimodal trip planning tools Increased awareness of modes Information about parking availability Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

What are the Benefits? Reduced Emissions, VMT and Traffic Encourage alternative modes in congested areas Less searching for parking and reduced parking demand Washington State targeted a 10% improvement in travel times through multi-modal coordination Increased Vehicle Occupancy Dynamic Ridesharing apps Increased transit usage Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

What are the Benefits? Reduce transfer times Better information about modes encourages more efficient transfers Better information increases reliance on transit Spread Demand over network capacity Encourage mode shift to better utilize capacity Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

Leadership Actions Coordinate transportation planning with land planning to make efficient routes Consider bike and pedestrian corridors Consider areas for dynamic ridesharing and carpooling Integrate multi-modal information for travelers Provide alternative modes and routes for completing trips Inform travelers of parking conditions and alternatives Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

Leadership Actions Consider public- private partnerships Adapt to the “sharing” economy Work with dynamic rideshare services Integrate private services, such as CitiBike, Uber, Lyft, etc. Because I realize that the concept of travel time reliability has already been covered in detail in other Forums, I will comment only briefly on it at this point……. Travel time variability or unreliable travel times can be a result of a number of sources including ………..for example…….. traffic incidents such as crashes, toxic spills, and disabled vehicles….. Another source is work zones on highway bridges or roadway pavement projects…… A third source could be related to changes in demand from off-peak to peak periods…….. Another common source might be special events including concerts, college commencements, air shows, and sports events……… Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts can also be a source of unreliable travel times …… A sixth source includes weather related such as flash floods, hail storms, and blizzards can also create disruptions……… and finally it should be noted that inadequate base capacity to handle day to day traffic flows can be a major source of unreliable travel times……….

Leadership Examples from Deployments EXAMPLE 1: VTrans 2025/Virginia Department of Transportation EXAMPLE 2: Moving Washington/Washington State Department of Transportation/Seattle area EXAMPLE 3: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey/New York City (PANYNJ) area To illustrate how some multi-modal management strategies have been implemented across the U.S. let’s take a brief look at what has been done in Virginia, Washington State, and the New York New Jersey metropolitan area……. A commonality among all three examples is that the management strategies appear to be an outgrowth of an area-wide comprehensive transportation planning process and a plan championed by a lead agency…….. ………In Virginia the lead was the Virginia DOT, in Washington it was the Washington State DOT, and in the NYNJ Metro area it was the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey………..

VTrans2025: Performance Measures Performance Objective Performance Measure Maintain the effective and predictable operation of the transportation system to meet customers’ expectations by using technology and demand management techniques Reduction time to clear non-recurring events; on-time performance of system and services; reduction in travel time variability; reduction in unexpected delay Reduce transfer time between modes Reduction in transfer time Reduce congestion for all modes Reduction in VMT; level of service improvement; reduction in travel delay Ensure seamless connections between modes by providing networks of facilities that facilitate the journey from origin to destination and all connections between Number of barriers removed; number of links added; increase in the number of modal connections; number of bus turnouts, park-and-ride spaces, and bicycle/pedestrian accommodations The VTrans Plan also promotes the use of quantitative metrics to assess the extent to which travel time related objectives and other objectives are being achieved as a result of implementing management strategies and projects. Central to this activity is the clear articulation of performance objectives. ………….. For example, a major performance objective is to maintain predictable operations and travel times because travelers and shippers expect such travel times on a regular basis …….metrics used to assess this objective are for example……….. reduction times to clear non-recurring incidents……..reductions in travel time variability and unexpected delay…….and measures of on time performance. To assess other objectives related to transfer time and overall congestion, metrics include reductions in transfer time and VMT and improvements in LOS. To assess connectivity objectives, metrics include the number of barriers removed……. the number of links added…….the increase in the number of modal connections………tand he number of bus turnouts, park-and-ride spaces, and bicycle/pedestrian accommodations

VTrans2025: Lessons Learned Invest more in transportation Support transit Remove bias for highway travel Fund rail Protect Transportation Trust Fund revenues Address transportation/land use conflict Improve connections between modes Think, plan and implement multimodally! Some of the lessons learned through the VTrans initiative and the implementation of management strategies and other projects include the need to invest more in transportation to meet the increasing demand for freight and passenger service and to improve intermodal connectivity……… Another lesson is that a highway bias exists…….. And that public transit needs additional support to meet expected passenger transportation demand……… in addition, it has been learned that increased collaboration is needed between public and private sectors for rail freight and highway development in light of the presence of two major Interstate Highway truck routes, I-95 and I-91, and seaports in the Tidewater area.……. Other lessons include the need to protect the State’s Transportation Trust Fund revenues and to try to avoid land use conflicts…….. and most of all …….VDOT staff has learned that they need to promote the continued planning and implementation of multimodal strategies based on the use of sound principles, concepts, and technologies………

Moving Washington: Key Strategies Elements of Vision Strategies Operate efficiently Implement express lanes Apply advanced technologies Manage demand Provide flexible travel choices Shift demand Keep users informed Add capacity strategically Complete critical bridges Reduce bottleneck & complete corridor gaps The Moving Washington initiative in the Seattle Puget Sound area consists of several broad management strategies including operating the transportation system efficiently…….managing demand…….and where appropriate adding capacity…….. operating efficiently here means for example, using traffic management strategies to improve the flow of traffic and maximize available capacity……..such strategies include, for example, employing signal technologies such as ramp meters and other control strategies …..…..using incident response techniques to quickly clear crashes………..and modifying parking regulations and traffic signal control strategies and timing plans to reduce delay for all multiple modes and purposes including commuters, commercial delivery trucks, and transit vehicles……. managing demand includes shifting travel times………..using public transportation…….. reducing the need to travel altogether through telecommuting……… using variable-rate tolling in ways that reduce traffic during the most congested times and that balance capacity between express and regular lanes improving alternate modes……. and providing traveler information to allow users to move efficiently through the system………… adding capacity strategically involves targeting the worst traffic hotspots……….filling critical system gaps to best serve an entire corridor, community or region …….addressing bottlenecks that constrain the flow such as upgrading a failing on-ramp merge or hard-shoulder running during peak periods…….. improving rail crossings and commuter ferry service ………… working with transit agencies to connect communities……… building direct-access ramps for carpools and transit including paths for pedestrians and bicyclists……..

Moving Washington: Metrics Improve trip reliability by 10% Improve travel times by 10% in urban corridors Reduce collisions by 25% Offer more choices for commuters in metro areas Moving Washington has a clear set of metrics to help assess performance goals…….. Related to travel time, the goals are to improve trip reliability by 10% and to improve travel time in urban corridors by 10%....... in addition, they intend to reduce accidents by 25% and offer more mode choices for commuters in Seattle Puget Sound Area and in other regions……

PANYNJ Strategic Plan: Key Strategies Inter-jurisdictional coordination Transportation infrastructure modernization Implementation of ITS technologies Expansion and integration of public transit Shift of freight movement on off-peak hours The key strategies promoted in the plan included …… Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination……. Region-wide Transportation Infrastructure Modernization……. Wide-area Implementation of ITS and Other Advanced Technologies…….. Further Expansion and Integration of Public Transit Network including rail and bus serviuces ………… An effort to Shift Freight Movement to Off-Peak Hours

PANYNJ Strategic Plan: Next Steps Establish protocols and priorities for more structured approaches to information sharing. Provide a single point of contact for coordination of multiple facilities and agencies. Establish an integrated ITS program. Develop and implement an enhanced procurement and deployment process for technology projects. Based on the lessons learned, Federal, State, and local transportation agencies in the NY/NJ metro area are carrying out several steps centering around technology innovation and investments including……. establishing protocols and priorities for more structured approaches to information sharing using archived databases resulting from ITS applications……. providing a single point of contact for coordination of incidents and planned events that impact multiple facilities and agencies including FEMA, State DOTs and NYC public works, highway, parking and transit departments…… designing an integrated ITS program……. implementing an enhanced procurement and deployment process for ITS projects that takes into account rapid advances in technology.

Conclusions The planning and implementation of multimodal transportation management strategies have been an integral part of a transportation planning process. Implementation of such strategies can reduce travel time, costs, crashes, and pollution, while optimizing use of the available facilities and improving land use. Written agreements are required to describe the necessary collaborative activities and the roles and responsibilities of various agencies and stakeholders. Multimodal management activities require that objectives be clearly articulated and that quantitative and qualitative metrics be used to assess the objectives While multimodal management strategies are important to evaluate in terms of monetary benefits and costs, non-monetary benefits, costs and other impacts should also be considered. Realizing we have covered a lot of ground in the last 30 minutes let me try to summarize…….First. It appears that multimodal management strategies are an outgrowth and product of multimodal transportation planning activities and statewide and local decision-making processes……. …………..in addition ,these strategies are intended to reduce travel time variability as well as overall travel time, costs, accidents and pollution associated with moving people and goods, while optimizing use of the available facilities and achieving broader economic, environmental, and land use goals………. It was also observed that in some cases written agreements are required to describe the necessary collaborative activities and the roles and responsibilities of various agencies and stakeholders……….. And it was learned that multimodal management activities require that objectives be clearly articulated and that quantitative and qualitative metrics be used to assess the objectives……… Finally, it was recognized that monetary and monetizable benefits and costs are important to assess when evaluating multimodal management strategies, there are also non-monetizable impacts that should be considered and taken into account.

Discussion Does your agency integrate or include multiple modes in traveler information? What about parking information? What public and private entities would you involve in a multi-modal planning activity? Can multi-modal networks be developed for small urban and rural communities? What solutions can be used to address the “last mile” challenge? Based on the lessons learned, Federal, State, and local transportation agencies in the NY/NJ metro area are carrying out several steps centering around technology innovation and investments including……. establishing protocols and priorities for more structured approaches to information sharing using archived databases resulting from ITS applications……. providing a single point of contact for coordination of incidents and planned events that impact multiple facilities and agencies including FEMA, State DOTs and NYC public works, highway, parking and transit departments…… designing an integrated ITS program……. implementing an enhanced procurement and deployment process for ITS projects that takes into account rapid advances in technology.

Resources Achieving Multimodal Networks Small Town and Rural Design Guide for Bicycle and Walking http://ruraldesignguide.com/ Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment Vtrans 2025 http://www.vtrans.org/vtrans_2025.asp PANYNJ “Transportation for Regional Prosperity Strategic Plan” http://www.panynj.gov/about/pdf/strategic-plan.pdf Washington State Department of Transportation: Moving Washington http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/movingwashington/ For those looking for more details regarding the Virginia, Washington State, and NY/NJ experiences, I propose you go to the following links.