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

US 50 Integrated Corridor Management – Sacramento Region

1. Introduction

The US 50 corridor contains an array of freeway, arterial, multimodal transit and bicycle and pedestrian networks that are independently maintained and operated by Caltrans and its partners. Recent studies have shown that the US 50 corridor experiences frequent operational deficiencies. Specifically, incident and collision analysis were completed for 2013 using TASAS (Traffic Accident, Surveillance and Analysis System) data and in 2015 using the California Highway Patrol Computer Aided Dispatch (CHP-CAD) incident data. These analyses ranked the US 50 corridor as having some of the highest Incidents per mile (2015 CHP CAD) in District 3. US 50 also ranked high in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and VMT per mile (2015 PeMS). The US 50 Corridor consistently experiences significant delay due to incidents. When reviewing motorist delay performance indicators, I-80, US 50 and SR 99 were found to experience the greatest delays.

When incidents occur, whether it be on a freeway or an arterial, some motorists often choose to sit in congestion, frustrated. However, many choose to embark on various un-organized detour routes. This pattern of unorganized action has steadily increased as cellular based applications (e.g. WAZE, Google Maps, etc) provide route guidance suggestions to motorists to get around areas of congestion. This often results in movements through areas that are not designed for the increase in traffic. Implementing US 50 Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) would help soothe this problem and is one of the congestion relief strategies identified in the Sacramento Area's Council of Government's (SACOG's) Congestion Management Plan.

Also a part of the Congestion Management Plan is SACOG's Sacramento Transportation Area Network (STARNET). Since 2003, SACOG has been working with its regional partners on improving the operational, informational, and institutional gaps in current corridor operations. In 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for participation in the Regional ITS Deployment Strategy was signed by thirteen regional partners. This led to the development of the Sacramento Transportation Area Network (STARNET).

First deployed in 2009, STARNET and its Concept of Operations is an information exchange network that is designed to be utilized by transportation facilities and their operators and emergency responders in the Sacramento region. STARNET enables the real-time sharing of live video and data pertaining to the operation of roadways and public transit. This information assists operations personnel in the coordination of their activities and provides the public with comprehensive information about current travel conditions and options. STARNET is comprised of the physical fiber data sharing amongst partners and a software Graphical User Interface (GUI) which allows the regional operators to view, share, and control some of the ITS elements.

The US 50 ICM Project, which STARNET is an integral component, is a "system of systems" and is not only a technology upgrade, but is also an optimization of institutions and cultures to fully exploit the network capacity of the corridor. These improvements lay the foundation for our partners, to improve their local network that ultimately advances the transportation system in the Sacramento region. The US 50 ICM project can be described in two parts:

  1. Architectural Engineering (AE)
  2. Software Development (SD)

AE will include new and upgraded communications, Changeable Message Signs (CMS), Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), Ramp Meter Systems (RMS), Cameras, Queue Warning Systems, Traffic Signals, Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Automated Vehicle (AV) communication access points and Maintenance Vehicle Pullouts (MPV) will be added where required. This is consistent with the City of Sacramento's Smart Cities initiative where networks of local arterials have been identified for deploying autonomous vehicle infrastructure technologies.

The SD will include configuring and integrating Caltrans' furnished Decision Support System (DSS) to interface with the Data Hub used to store and access data, the Data Bus used to access field elements and the information Exchange Network (IEN) used to translate incompatible information to leverage existing system assets. Developing a new coordinated ramp metering system with in the US 50 Corridor will assist ICM incident performance and address recurring congestion that impacts both the highway and parallel arterial facilities.

Caltrans and its partners propose to manage the US 50 corridor as one multimodal system. The US 50 Integrated ICM Implementation Plan identified projects and formed partnerships that will improve incident management and overall system management, which will improve travel time reliability and predictability, manage congestion, and empower travelers through better information and more travel choices through all facilities and modes.

The improvements made through the US 50 ICM project lays the IT infrastructure foundation for this multi-jurisdictional consortium to develop a cohesive network for the deployment of advanced vehicle technologies, such vehicle-to-infrastructure and autonomous vehicles, while reducing incidents, traffic congestion, and meeting California's statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.

Table 1: US 50 ICM Project Cost Estimate
Project Limits Segment Phase Improvements Cost
Downtown Urban Core (I-80 to Hornet Drive - Howe/Power Inn) 1 1
  • Arterial Management System (AMS) Integration – System Detection, Bluetooth Readers, Traveler Information Signs, Signal Central System Upgrades, and Stop Sign to Signal Upgrades
  • Caltrans D3 Signal Controller Upgrades, Signal Cabinet and Communication Upgrades, HOV Ramp Metering Modifications, Intersection Video Surveillance upgrades
$3,552,500
Suburban Sacramento County (Hornet Drive - Howe/Power Inn to Folsom Blvd. - Iron Point LRT Station) 2 1
  • Arterial Management System (AMS) Integration – System Detection, Bluetooth Readers, Traveler Information Signs, Signal Central System Upgrades, and Stop Sign to Signal Upgrades
  • Caltrans D3 Signal Controller Upgrades, Signal Cabinet and Communication Upgrades, HOV Ramp Metering Modifications, Intersection Video Surveillance upgrades
$4,634,000
Central Control Systems and Integration 1, 2 1
  • Transit, Parking, Active Transportation, Signal Central System, Ramp Metering Central System, Dynamic Corridor Ramp Metering, and ICM System integration and upgrades
$3,300,000
Design, Engineering and Support 1, 2 1
  • System Engineering, Design & Construction Support
$1,000,000
Total No Value No Value No Value $12,486,500
Office of Operations