News
Planning For TSMO Practitioner Reference
This Reference document enables transportation planners, operators, and others to plan for TSMO by identifying operations objectives, performance measures, strategies, implementation, and management considerations. It also features excerpts from an example transportation plan includes brief discussions of important topics in planning for TSMO such as project prioritization and sustaining TSMO over the long term.
New Training: Planning for Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO)
The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) National Highway Institute (NHI) has created a training series on Planning for TSMO. The Planning for TSMO - Introduction (NHI-133131) and Planning for TSMO - Concepts and Applications (NHI-133132) courses are Web-based Training (WBTs) that introduce TSMO and provide in-depth explanations about how to incorporate TSMO strategies into the transportation planning process. [more info]
TSMO: Getting More from Our Existing System Infographic
The infographic provides examples of the benefits of a variety of operational improvements in an easy to read and understand format. The infographic is available as two different sized .pdfs and as PowerPoint slides at the following links: PDF 190kb, [8.5"x11"], PDF 194KB [11"x17"], PPTX 3.7MB, PPTX [References at End] 3.7MB.
Linking TSMO and Transportation Equity
Many state and local agencies recognize importance of transportation equity in achieving a vision for a multi-modal transportation system that is safe, efficient, and affordable for all users and communities. TSMO is one solution that can help achieve a such a vision. This Fact Sheet lays out a framework for utilizing TSMO in establishing a people-first approach to operations. This also identifies potential equity-related considerations when deploying certain TSMO strategies.
Advancing TSMO through Organizational Structures
This report applies concepts of organizational theory, specifically related to organizational structure, to explore ways in which organizational models and structural mechanisms can be used to advance transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) within departments of transportation (DOTs). It includes several case studies of organizational structures in DOTs across the Nation and looks at how DOTs have used their structures to mainstream TSMO.
Recent FHWA Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Resources
The FHWA Office of Operations Institutional Foundation for Effective Operations program creates TSMO resources such as primers, case studies, reports, webinars, and brochures. Here is summary of the latest TSMO products and resources and how they can be accessed.
Current FHWA Organizing and Planning for Operations Activities
The FHWA Office of Operations Institutional Foundation for Effective Operations program periodically updates its summary of on-going projects and research. Here is summary of the current activities, FHWA staff points of contact, and estimated completion dates.
Advancing Transportation Demand Management in Resort Towns and Communities
This webinar provides a framework and provides examples of travel management approaches, including demand management strategies, used to improve mobility in and around resort communities and tourist destinations. Presentations are provided by representatives from the Association of Commuter Transportation and resort regions from Pensacola, Florida, Park City, Utah, and Lake Tahoe, NV.
TSMO – Harnessing the Value of Transportation System Performance
This presentation provides State-level examples of the measurable benefits of transportation operations strategies. The slides can be used by States or regions to highlight effective operations in their own presentations and outreach.
Coordination of Information Technology and TSMO
The publication Practices for Improving the Coordination of Information Technology and Transportation Systems Management and Operations Resources: A Reference Document provides the transportation operations community (public agencies, consultants, and researchers involved in planning for, designing, operating, and maintaining transportation operations and management systems) with information on practices in coordinating with information technology staff. The publication focuses on the value of coordination and collaboration between operations staff and information technology staff
TSMO Benefits Infographic
Infographic showing five State DOT examples of benefits they have identified from implementing transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies.
Primers on Applying Transportation Asset Management for Traffic Signals and ITS
FHWA has released two publications on Applying Transportation Asset Management for Traffic Signals and ITS. These primers will assist state and local agencies in applying asset management principles to these assets that are consistent with the requirements for Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMPs). These documents along with the related webinars are located on the FHWA Asset Management for Operations website.
Local Agency Operations Resources
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Operations and our partner Offices throughout FHWA and the USDOT develop products and resources relevant to agencies at all Government levels. This page compiles FHWA Operations resources relevant to local and regional transportation agencies.
Recent TSMO Resources and Program Activities
Two new at-a-glance summaries of 1) recently published FHWA TSMO resources and 2) current activities of the FHWA Organizing and Planning for Operations program are now available.
Mainstreaming TSMO: Examples of Integrating TSMO Across a Transportation Agency
This infographic shows ways that a transportation agency can integrate TSMO throughout its organization to advance and mainstream TSMO. Examples are provided on how TSMO can be supported and mainstreamed by executive leadership and human resources, and throughout the project and program lifecycle: planning and programming, project development and design, construction, maintenance, and ongoing transportation management.
Organizing for TSMO - 2020 Peer Exchange Report
FHWA hosted a group of Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) leaders to share their agencies' experiences in advancing TSMO programs on February 26 and 27, 2020. Representatives from 15 organizations participated in the peer exchange, including from: 12 State departments of transportation (DOTs), two metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and one regional transportation commission. The event included four focused sessions: organizational improvements, collaboration and partnerships, making the business case and branding for TSMO, and priority issues for further exploration.
Does Travel Time Reliability Matter)? (Video)
This short video explores the importance of travel time reliability, the consequences of an unreliable transportation system, and what can be done to make travel more reliable for everyone. For more information, please read the FHWA Primer “Does Travel Time Reliability Matter?” and visit the FHWA Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) website: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/tsmo/
Advancing Mode Options in Managed Lane Projects
This webinar is designed to explore specific ways to integrate such concepts as mobility on demand, information technology and behavioral economics into managed lane projects in order to enhance alternative mode use in managed lane corridors.
Communicating TSMO and TSMO Outreach Kit - Now Available
Gaining buy-in and collaboration for transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) among different units and programs within a DOT, and with external partners, usually requires effective ongoing outreach and communication. Leadership support can facilitate these efforts. A new focus area page on Communicating TSMO is now available. This page contains several resources to help agencies build support for TSMO. Resources include a new TSMO outreach kit, developed in collaboration with AASHTO, that is geared toward leadership and includes a brochure, talking points, testimonials, and FAQs.
Strengthening Linkages between Transportation Demand Management and Traffic Management
This document presents real-world examples of how State and local traffic managers and demand management professionals can work together and coordinate implementation strategies to proactively manage mobility and reliability concerns under different contexts including: managing demand and traffic during weather events and natural disasters, linking TDM and traffic management as part of transit disruption, incorporating TDM as part of a major road reconstruction project and other high demand situations.
Integrating Reliability into Transportation System Management – New Approaches for Linking Planning & Operations
This report entitled "Integrating Reliability into Transportation System Management" documents a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) project led by the Office of Operations to address the gaps between planning and operations. Its intent was to evolve the state of the practice by building a methodology supported by the data and analysis tools developed under the SHRP2 program. The project was motivated by the need to connect system-level, goal and objective-setting in the transportation planning process and operations planning that occurs among operators. Long-range transportation planning is typically not linked to detailed, tactical operations decisions made at the corridor or network level. A primary objective of this project was to develop and demonstrate a framework or methodology for integrating travel time reliability concepts and analysis in systems management, operations, systems planning, and programming. The project also demonstrated how this framework can be used to connect planning-level reliability goals and objectives to operational objectives and transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies and tactics.
Communicating the Role of and Value of TSMO to Other Programs
Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) often supports, impacts, or otherwise relates to other State and local transportation agency functions and offices such as design, maintenance, and safety. TSMO and these other disciplines can be carried out more effectively if the connections between these areas are strengthened. To provide context for these potential connections, fact sheets, presentations, and other resources relating TSMO to 12 other program areas are available.
