Incorporating Management and Operations and the Congestion Management Process into Metropolitan Transportation Planning FHWA/FTA Webinar June 24, 2008

2 Session Purpose Create understanding the recommended approach for advancing the CMP and M&O in the transportation planning process Illustrate how this approach can be applied Provide an in-depth look at how a CMP can be fully integrated into the planning process

3 Overview Background on the initiative Overview of M&O and CMP An objectives-driven, performance- based approach The resulting MTP and TIP The role of transit

4 Purpose of Initiative To improve the performance of the transportation system through more effective integration of the congestion management process (CMP) and management and operations (M&O) into the planning process To equip planners and operators to use an objectives- driven, performance-based approach to integrating M&O strategies into metropolitan planning process To promote ongoing collaboration and coordination among transportation operators including public safety agencies and between planners and operators

5 SAFETEA-LU Requirements Sections 3005, 3006, and 6001: Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) shall include: “Operational and management strategies to improve the performance of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and maximize the safety and mobility of people and goods” Long Range Statewide Transportation Plan should include: “capital, operations and management strategies, investments, procedures, and other measures to ensure the preservation and most efficient use of the existing transportation system. ” One of 8 planning factors to be considered in metropolitan and Statewide planning: “Promote efficient system management and operations” For TMAs, a Congestion Management Process (CMP) is required. Any highway capacity projects in ozone or carbon monoxide non- attainment areas must result from the CMP

6 M&O and CMP in Context of Metropolitan Transportation Planning Requirements

7 What is Management and Operations (M&O)? M&O is an integrated program of strategies designed to get the most efficient and safest use out of existing and planned infrastructure M&O strategies are those actions that are taken to optimize the performance of the transportation system Many M&O strategies enable transportation agencies to provide better customer service in the near-term without incurring the high costs and time to implement major infrastructure projects

8 Examples of M&O Strategies Traffic incident management Traveler information services Road weather management Freeway management Traffic signal coordination Work zone management Electronic payment/toll collection Transit signal priority Emergency response and homeland security Freight management Travel demand management Transit fleet management and dispatching Regional ITS Architecture provides a blueprint for how ITS (used for many M&O strategies) can be coordinated on a regional level.

9 “Samples of Daily Transportation Operations Activities” by Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)

10 Benefits of Improved M&O Benefits of M&O to the public include –Improved system reliability –Improved service efficiency –Enhanced public safety and security –Reduced traveler delays –Improved access to traveler information –More efficient transportation investments

11 What is the CMP? A systematic approach applied in a metropolitan region to identify congestion and its causes, propose mitigation strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies As an integral part of the planning process that influences decisionmaking, the CMP feeds projects and strategies directly into the Plan, TIP, and STIP and, replaces the CMS that was often a standalone process

12 M&O and CMP in Context of Metropolitan Transportation Planning Requirements

13 What is the difference between the CMP and the former CMS? The CMP: –Is an integral part of the planning process that influences decisionmaking –Focuses on on-going efforts to collect, analyze, and preserve data resources to monitor performance over time –Has an increased emphasis on incorporating management and operations for congestion mitigation For each region, the changes needed to transform its CMS to a CMP depend on how the CMS was previously implemented. Moving to a CMP may be a major shift for some regions and a very small change to those that already had a strong CMS.

14 Relationship between M&O and the Congestion Management Process The CMP actualizes the operations objectives through a systematic approach for: Developing performance measures Identifying and analyzing problems Collecting data Developing strategies Monitoring performance Regional operations objectives in the MTP Congestion mitigation strategies including M&O strategies

15 Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach Goals and objectives focusing on the efficient management and operation of the transportation system are included in the plan Performance measures are used to track progress toward the objectives Initiatives including M&O strategies to meet the objectives are included in plans and implemented through the State and MPO transportation improvement program (TIP) in coordination with local agencies

16 Framework for an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach

17 Using the Approach to Incorporate M&O into the Plan M&O goals Regional operations objectives Performance measures for management and operations Resulting MTP and TIP

18 Framework for an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach

19 M&O Goals in the MTP Goals describe desired end state Examples of M&O goals: –“Maximize Transportation System Management and Operations” Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) – 2035 Regional Transportation Plan –“Improve transportation system performance” Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) – 2030 Regional Transportation Plan –“A reliable commute” - Metropolitan Transportation Commission Plan Other goals in the plan may focus on safety, economy, land use, etc.

20 Framework for an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach

21 Regional Operations Objectives to Actualize Goals Objectives are specific, measurable statements relating to attainment of goals Developed collaboratively and used to prioritize investment decisions Examples: –By 2010, reduce the clearance time of traffic incidents on freeways and major arterials in the region from a current average of X minutes to an average of Y minutes. –By 2020, reduce the variability in travel time on freeways and major arterials in the region such that 95% of trips (19 out of 20) have travel times no more than 1.5 times the average travel time for a specific time of day.

22 Framework for an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach

23 Sample Transportation System Performance Measures Travel timeAverage travel times; Average travel speeds Congestion extentLane miles of congested conditions Average hours of congestion per day DelayVehicle-hours of recurring delay Non-recurring delay Incident occurrence/delay Median minutes from time of incident to clearance Travel time reliabilityBuffer time; Buffer time index Transit performanceOn-time performance Transit travel times in comparison to personal vehicle travel times Customer satisfactionPercent reporting being satisfied Person throughputPeak hour persons moved per lane

24 Regional ITS Architecture and Performance Measures Provides direction to planners and operators on how data sources can be tied together to support regional operations performance measures

25 Framework for an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach

26 Basics of the New Approach for CMP Fully integrated into the planning process Specific congestion management objectives drive the process Increased emphasis on incorporating management and operations strategies for congestion mitigation Focuses on ongoing efforts to collect, analyze, and preserve data resources to monitor performance over time

27 Congestion Management Process (8 Steps) Identify areas of application Utilize congestion management objectives in the plan (including operations objectives) Define system/network of interest Develop performance measures Institute system performance monitoring plan Identify/evaluate strategies Implement selected strategies/manage system Monitor strategy effectiveness

28 Resulting Metropolitan Transportation Plan and TIP include… Vision, goals, and regional operations objectives that address M&O Measures that allow the region to track progress toward achieving its objectives Strategies for M&O and other strategies recommended by the CMP Funding allocations for M&O and congestion management strategies

29 Key Role of Transit Agencies in Advancing CMP/M&O in the Plan Contribute to decisions at the MPO and State level regarding investment priorities, land use, and economic development Participate in developing regional operations objectives Provide operations data to planning partners Recommend transit-based strategies for improving regional transportation system performance Implement performance-based objectives in their planning processes Collaborate with other transportation operators in regional operations efforts

30 Benefits of Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach Strategic approach guided by objectives and performance measures ensures most effective strategies for improving system performance are included in transportation plans CMP fully integrated into planning process helps inform decisionmakers about trade-offs between competing alternatives Helps agencies prioritize investments to achieve agreed upon objectives Agencies can gain support from public and elected leaders by demonstrating accountability through performance measures

31 View the Guidebooks FHWA Planning for Operations Website An Interim Guidebook on the Congestion Management Process in Metropolitan Transportation Planning Management & Operations in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan: A Guidebook for Creating an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach - Interim Draft

32 Upcoming Dates Summer 2008 Informational Workshops –Locations: Seattle, Washington, July 31 Chicago, Illinois, August 7 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 12 Denver, Colorado, August 14 Providence, Rhode Island, September 9 Atlanta, Georgia, September 23 Interested in attending? Contact

33 For More Information Contact: –Rick Backlund, FHWA-Operations, –Egan Smith, FHWA-Planning, –John Sprowls, FTA-Planning,

34 Questions ?