Office of Operations
21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Long Description: Day-of-Event Activities Checklist - Step 4

Step 4. Traffic Monitoring on Day-of-Event

Assessment: Surveillance of real-time conditions on day-of-event

If Assessment applies:

  • Determine use(s) of surveillance information
  • Identify surveillance methods
  • Activate traffic surveillance plan

Tips/Examples:

  • Surveillance information may be used to: (1) measure traffic and environmental conditions in real-time, (2) make control decisions, (3) disseminate traveler information, and (4) monitor and evaluate system and plan performance
  • Surveillance methods include automated techniques (closed-circuit television) or manual methods (field personnel observation and reporting)
  • Overhead helicopter surveillance

Assessment: Performance measures

If Assessment applies:

  • Establish applications for performance measures
  • Determine statistics or measures that can be obtained from traffic monitoring

Tips/Examples:

  • Apply performance measures to: (1) identify locations or corridors with poor performance, (2) identify potential causes and associated remedies, (3) identify specific areas that require improvements / enhancements for future events, (4) provide information to decision-makers and the public, and (5) provide input to post-event evaluation
  • Example transportation system performance measures include congestion delay, travel time, travel speed, change in travel mode, and change in transit ridership

Assessment: Data collection

If Assessment applies:

  • Determine methods for collecting data used to compute performance measures
  • Assess need and method for archiving collected data
  • Activate data collection

Tips/Examples:

  • Data collection methods include: (1) road sensors for measuring traffic flow parameters, (2) vehicle probes for collecting data on travel times and origin-destination information, (3) CCTV systems for viewing real time video images of the roadway, (4) traffic signal and system detectors to measure congestion on streets, (5) manual methods for collecting traffic (volume/speed) and parking (demand/occupancy)data
  • Stakeholders can archive raw data for use in future event feasibility studies and evaluation reports
  • Exercise great care in collecting performance evaluation data in order to ensure data quality and consistency
  • Maintain counters
  • Monitor travel times and intersection operations

Assessment: Set Traffic Control

If Assessment applies:

  • Implement traffic control per traffic control plans for ingress
  • Change traffic control to normal
  • Change traffic control fro egress

Tips/Examples:

  • Set temporary signs, barricades, cones and other traffic control devices
  • Monitor traffic flow and amend on site as necessary
  • Maintain traffic control devices - knockdowns and blow over.

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