1. 1 Using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technologies and Strategies to Better Manage Congestion Jeffrey F. Paniati Associate Administrator of Operations Acting Director, ITS Joint Program Office Federal Highway Administration Traffic Congestion: Issues and Options Symposium June 26, 2003

2. 2 Overview Traffic Congestion – How Do We Attack? Role of Transportation System Management and Operations Examples – What’s Possible using 21 st Century Operations and 21 st Century Technologies

3. 3 Traffic Congestion Causes RECURRING:  Insufficient capacity  Unrestrained demand  Ineffective management of capacity (e.g. poor signal timing) NON-RECURRING:  Incidents  Work zones  Weather events  Special events  Emergencies (e.g. hurricanes)

4. 4 How is the congestion pie sliced? Total delay: about 5 billion hours per year Other recurring Work Zones Other non-recurring e.g. special events Poor signal timing Weather (snow, ice, fog) Incidents (crashes, disabled vehicles)

5. 5 Making a Difference: Long-term Initiatives for Recurring Delay Build Additional Mainline Capacity Remove Bottlenecks Travel Demand Management Use Technology to Better Manage Traffic

6. 6 Making a Difference: Short-term Initiatives for Non-Recurring Delay Implement Traffic Incident Management Programs Implement Work Zone Mobility Strategies Manage Weather-related Events Manage Special Events Provide Timely Traveler Information

7. 7 Transportation System Management & Operations Improve reliability, safety, and security through “21st Century Operations using 21st Century Technology” 21st Century Operations –Proactive –Customer view –Regional system base –24/7 –Performance based –Real-time information 21 st Century Technology –Advanced Signal Control –Ramp metering –Work Zone Management –Traffic Incident Management –Real-Time Transportation (traveler) Information –Emergency/Evacuation Management –Freight Management –In Short,… ITS

8. 8 Transportation System Management and Operations  Application Areas –Work Zone Management –Traffic Incident Management –Road Weather Management  Enablers –Dedicated Short Range Communication –Transportation Management Centers –Advanced Traveler Information

9. 9 Work Zone Management Strategies Reduce Number and Duration of Work Zones Improve Traffic Management in Work Zones Provide Travelers with Information and Options

10. 10 Work Zone Management Techniques Work Zone Self-Assessments Federal Rule Making on Work Zone Management Full Road Closures Variable Speed Limits in Work Zones

11. 11 Traffic Incident Management Strategies Establish Response and Clearance Procedures and Policies Support Integrated Interagency Communications Institutionalize Traffic Incident Management

12. 12 Traffic Incident Management Techniques Traffic Incident Management Self-Assessments Integrated Incident Management Systems CAD-TMC Operational Test Incident Management Coalition

13. 13 Road Weather Management Strategies Develop accurate, real-time road weather information Develop operator control strategies to minimize weather impacts Develop traffic management for adverse weather conditions

14. 14 Road Weather Management Techniques NOAA/DOT Surface Weather Partnership Maintenance Decision Support System Traffic Management Strategies

15. 15 Dedicated Short Range Communications Electronic Toll Collection – 75 Percent Toll Lanes with ETC Managed Lanes “WiFi Highway”

16. 16 Transportation Management Centers Facility Management Corridor Management Regional Management

17. 17 Advanced Traveler Information Variable Message Signs 511 – 14 percent National coverage, 17 Jurisdictions Dynamic Route Guidance

18. 18 Summary Addressing congestion requires a comprehensive approach –Capacity, Demand Management, Operations 21 st Century Operations using 21 st Century Technology can make a difference For More Information: –Operations Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov –ITS Web Site : http://www.its.dot.gov –B/C Database : http://benefitcost.its.dot.gov