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Managing Traffic Congestion: Can Operations Make A Difference?

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Slide 1

Managing Traffic Congestion: Can Operations Make A Difference?

A National Perspective

ITE Annual Meeting
Orlando, Florida
August 2, 2004

Jeffrey F. Paniati
Associate Administrator for Operations
Federal Highway Administration

Slide 2

Presentation Outline

  • Congestion Trends
  • Importance of Reliability
  • Examples of Aggressive Operations Strategies to Improve System Reliability

Slide 3

Congestion is Getting Worse


This image shows congestion is getting worse.d

Slide 4

Sources of Congestion


This pie chart shows sources of congestion.d

Slide 5

Performance Measurement from the Customers Perspective - Reliability


The figure shows travel time index and buffer index by time-of-day.d

Slide 6

Making Travel More Reliable Has Multiple Benefits

  • Reducing the effects of events (e.g., traffic incidents, WZs, weather)
    • Provides "double" congestion relief:
      • More predictable (less variable travel), AND
      • Lower overall delay
    • Improves safety
      • Duration of motorist exposure to unsafe conditions reduced
    • Saves fuel
    • Reduces emissions
  • Unreliable trips valued at a premium by users
    • 2-6X the average for commuters
    • Higher value for freight, especially JIT

Slide 7

Examples of Aggressive Operations Strategies to Improve System Reliability

  • Traffic Incident Management
  • Work Zone Management
  • Traveler Information

Slide 8

Traffic Incident Management

Aggressive:

  • Formal regional program with mutual agreements.
  • Defined performance goals.
  • Integrated on-scene activity.

Typical:

  • Informal, personality-dependent programs.
  • Agency culture and priorities drive on-scene operations.
  • Incompatible communications systems.

Slide 9

Integrated On-Scene Operations
Seattle, WA

  • Joint Operations Policy Statement
  • WSDOT and WSP
  • 90 Minute Clearance Goal

Slide 10

Work Zone Safety and Mobility

Aggressive:

  • Real time traveler information on web sites.
  • Shorter construction duration and traveler exposure to work zones.
  • Using ITS applications to improve safety and mobility in work zones.

Typical:

  • Only general construction information on web sites.
  • Limited use of innovative construction and contracting strategies designed to reduce project duration.
  • Minor application of ITS technologies to improve work zone performance.

Slide 11

Albuquerque "Big I" Work Zone ITS

New Mexico used ITS to reduce traffic incident clearance time from 45 minutes in the past to 25 minutes during the project.

Slide 12

Traveler Information

Aggressive:

  • Travel times and incident information on DMS.
  • High quality 511 services, including ubiquitous metropolitan implementation.
  • High quality, easily accessible, and understandable information on websites.

Typical:

  • DMS blank, limited information (e.g., "Congestion Ahead").
  • No 511 service.
  • Out-of-date information on websites.

Slide 13

San Antonio


This figure shows signs for IH 35 Northbound (e.g., a cross street and mile post displaying a current DMS sign).

Slide 14

"Final Word"

  • Can Operations Make a Difference - YES!
  • What will it take ...
    • A Comprehensive set of strategies
    • Ownership by all regional stakeholders
      • Public, businesses, and agencies
    • Aggressively Operate the Transportation System
      • Proactively and Regionally
    • Focus on Addressing System Reliability

 

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