Active Traffic Management Feasibility and Screening Guide

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
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Washington, DC 20590
www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov

Publication #: FHWA-HOP-14-019

May 2015

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Technical Documentation Page

1. Report No. FHWA-HOP-14-019	2. Government Accession No.	3. Recipient's Catalog No.
4. Title and Subtitle Active Traffic Management (ATM) Feasibility and Screening Guide		5. Report Date May 2015
		6. Performing Organization Code
7. Author(s) Louis Neudorff, Keith McCabe		8. Performing Organization Report No.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address CH2M HILL 901 New York Ave NW, Suite 4000 East Washington, DC 20001 Under contract to Kittelson and Associates, Inc.		10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
		11. Contract or Grant No. DTFH61-12-D-00049-T13003
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590		13. Type of Report and Period Covered Final Report
		14. Sponsoring Agency Code HOP
15. Supplementary Notes The Task Manager for FHWA is James Colyar.
16. Abstract Active Traffic Management (ATM) concepts, strategies, and supporting technologies have been receiving significant attention given the potential operational benefits that have and can potentially accrue from deploying these strategies. Implementing these ATM concepts and strategies can also involve significant capital costs, followed by ongoing operations and maintenance requirements. As such, some or all ATM strategies may not be cost effective for certain segments and links of the surface transportation network. The Active Traffic Management Feasibility and Screening Guide was developed to assist transportation agencies and planning organizations in making informed investment decisions regarding ATM by determining the feasibility of ATM strategies before committing significant resources towards any subsequent project development and design activities. The Guide was based on an extensive review of literature and This Guide, coupled with interviews with several practitioners who have been directly involved in the feasibility analyses, design, deployment, and/or operation of ATM strategies. It presents a recommended process for agencies to follow as they consider ATM deployment at the feasibility and screening analyses level. Following the guidance will help practitioners to identify specific roadway segments most suited for ATM and the appropriate strategies, and the expected costs and range of benefits.
17. Key Words active traffic management, adaptive ramp metering, adaptive signal control, dynamic junction control, dynamic lane assignment, dynamic lane reversal, dynamic merge control, dynamic shoulder lane, dynamic speed limit, queue warning, transit signal priority		18. Distribution Statement No restrictions.
19. Security Classification (of this report) Unclassified	20. Security Classification (of this page) Unclassified	21. No of Pages 113	22. Price Free

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72)
Reproduction of completed page authorized.

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Table of Contents

Acronyms and Abbreviations

SI Conversion Factors

• Chapter 1. Introduction and Background
  • 1.1 Purpose of this Document
  • 1.2 Context of ATM Feasibility and Screening Guidance
  • 1.3 How to Use the Guidance
  • 1.4 Overview of ATM Feasibility and Screening Process
  • 1.5 Overview of ATM Strategies
  • 1.6 ATM in the Context of ATDM
• Chapter 2. Get Started — Preparation
  • 2.1 Ensure ATM Supports Regional Goals
  • 2.2 Identify Relevant Objectives for ATM
    • 2.2.1 Tools for Linking ATM Strategies with Goals and Objectives
  • 2.3 Define Network to Be Analyzed
  • 2.4 Identify and Collaborate With Stakeholders
    • 2.4.1 Stakeholder Education and Outreach
    • 2.4.2 Compliance-Related Outreach
  • 2.5 Commence Data Collection
  • 2.6 Review Recent Literature
• Chapter 3. Assess Agency Policies and Capabilities for Active Traffic Management
  • 3.1 Define Applicable ATM Strategies in Terms of Network Features, Project Scope, Agency Policies, and Legal Considerations
    • 3.1.1 Roadway Network and Facility Type
    • 3.1.2 Agency Policies and Practices
    • 3.1.3 Legal Considerations
  • 3.2 Confirm Supporting Institutional Framework Is in Place
• Chapter 4. Identify Major Roadway Segments for Potential Active Traffic Management
  • 4.1 Determine Level of Existing Transportation Systems Management and Operations and Intelligent Transportation System Deployment
  • 4.2 Identify Major Segments That Will Likely Benefit From Deploying Active Traffic Management
    • 4.2.1 Safety Problems
    • 4.2.2 Recurring Congestion and Bottlenecks
    • 4.2.3 Other Considerations
  • 4.3 Segment Screening Examples
    • 4.3.1 Washington State Department of Transportation
    • 4.3.2 California Department of Transportation
    • 4.3.3 New Jersey Department of Transportation
• Chapter 5. Analyze and Prioritize Individual Roadway Links and Active Traffic Management Strategies
  • 5.1 Analyze and Prioritize Individual Roadway Links
    • 5.1.1 Example of a Detailed Quantitative Analysis of Freeway Links for ATM
  • 5.2 Dynamic Speed Limits and Dynamic Lane Assignment
    • 5.2.1 Crash Rates
    • 5.2.2 Recurring Reductions or Variations in Speed
    • 5.2.3 Major Reconstruction
    • 5.2.4 Other Potential Safety Improvements
    • 5.2.5 Dynamic Speed Limits Only
    • 5.2.6 Arterial Applications
  • 5.3 Queue Warning
    • 5.3.1 Crash Rates
    • 5.3.2 Queue Warning in Conjunction with Dynamic Speed Limits and Dynamic Lane Assignment
    • 5.3.3 Congestion and Sight Distance
  • 5.4 Dynamic Shoulder Lanes
    • 5.4.1 Recurrent Congestion
    • 5.4.2 Shoulder Width and Ability to Accommodate Traffic Flow
    • 5.4.3 Minimum Length
    • 5.4.4 Safety Concerns
    • 5.4.5 Transit Operations
    • 5.4.6 An ATDM Approach
  • 5.5 Dynamic Junction Control
    • 5.5.1 Congestion
    • 5.5.2 Variations in Mainline and Ramp Volumes
    • 5.5.3 Shoulder Widths and Structure
    • 5.5.4 An ATDM Approach
  • 5.6 Adaptive Ramp Metering
  • 5.7 Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
  • 5.8 Transit Signal Priority
    • 5.8.1 Bus Delays at Signalized Intersections and Their Impacts on Schedules
    • 5.8.2 Bus Headways and Frequency of Service
    • 5.8.3 Automated Vehicle Location on Buses
    • 5.8.4 Far-Side Bus Stops
  • 5.9 Dynamic Lane Reversal
    • 5.9.1 Volumes in Excess of Capacity
    • 5.9.2 Unbalanced Directional Flows
    • 5.9.3 Adequate Capacity at Termini
    • 5.9.4 An ATDM Approach
  • 5.10 Dynamic Merge Control
    • 5.10.1 Dynamic Early Merge
    • 5.10.2 Dynamic Late Merge
  • 5.11 Tying and Integrating Selected Strategies Together
• Chapter 6. Estimate Benefits and Costs
  • 6.1 Consider Key ATM Cost Factor
    • 6.1.1 Capital Costs
    • 6.1.2 Gantries and Sign Supports for Dynamic Speed Limits, Dynamic Lane Assignments, and Dynamic Shoulder Lanes
    • 6.1.3 Operations and Maintenance Costs
  • 6.2 Perform High-Level Estimates of Benefits and Costs Using Available Tools
    • 6.2.1 Benefit Quantification
    • 6.2.2 Analysis Period
    • 6.2.3 Sketch Planning
    • 6.2.4 Highway Capacity Manual
    • 6.2.5 Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost
    • 6.2.6 Summary
• Chapter 7. Next Steps
  • 7.1 Stakeholder Involvement
  • 7.2 Performance Measures
  • 7.3 Conformance with Regional Intelligent Transportation System Architecture
  • 7.4 Regulations and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Standards
  • 7.5 The Future
• Appendix A. References and Interviews/Reviewers
• Appendix B. Active Traffic Management Screening Checklist

List of Figures

• Figure 1. Diagram. An Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach for Metropolitan Planning for Operations (2)
• Figure 2. Diagram. Systems Engineering Vee Diagram (24)
• Figure 3. Diagram. Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) Context and Activities
• Figure 4. Diagram. Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) and the Trip Chain
• Figure 5. Flowchart. Assessing Agency Policies and Capabilities for Active Traffic Management (ATM)
• Figure 6. Flowchart. Identify Major Roadway Segments for Potential Active Traffic Management (ATM)
• Figure 7. Diagram. Continuum of Operations Strategies (Based on Materials from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program [SHRP2] L36 Pilot Regional Operations Forums)
• Figure 8. Tabulation. Corridor Screening Results (Washington State Department of Transportation [WSDOT]) (26)
• Figure 9. Tabulation. Corridor Screening Results for California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 7 (27)
• Figure 10. Tabulation. Segment Screening Results for New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) (28)
• Figure 11. Plot. Interstate 95 (I-95) Crashes by Mile (29)
• Figure 12. Plot. 95th Percentile Speeds along Interstate 95 (I-95) (29)
• Figure 13. Graph. Interstate 95 (I-95) Line Chart of Safety, Congestion, and Overall Score (29)
• Figure 14. Flowchart. Considerations and Criteria for Selecting Dynamic Speed Limit (DSpL) and Dynamic Lane Assignment (DLA) Strategies
• Figure 15. Photograph. Example of Side-Mounted Dynamic Speed Limit (DSpL) Sign
• Figure 16. Flowchart. Considerations and Criteria for Selecting Queue Warning (QW)
• Figure 17. Graph. Speed-Volume Relationship of Dynamic Shoulder Lane (DShL), from Germany (31)
• Figure 18. Flowchart. Considerations and Criteria for Selecting Dynamic Shoulder Lanes (DShL)
• Figure 19. Photograph. Emergency Refuge Area in the United Kingdom (13)
• Figure 20. Flowchart. Considerations and Criteria for Selecting Dynamic Junction Control
• Figure 21. Flowchart. Process for Screening Ramp Management Strategies (11)
• Figure 22. Diagram. Should You Consider Adaptive Traffic Signal Control? (37)
• Figure 23. Flowchart. Considerations and Criteria for Selecting Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
• Figure 24. Flowchart. Considerations and Criteria for Selecting Reversible Lane Control
• Figure 25. Diagram. Dynamic Early Merge System (54)
• Figure 26. Photograph. Conceptual Verge (Side)-Mounted Sign for Active Traffic Management (ATM) as Studied in the United Kingdom (46)
• Figure 27. Diagram. Current Managed Motorways Concept
• Figure 28. Photograph. Dynamic Shoulder Lane (DShL) Signage in Northern Virginia
• Figure 29. Photograph. Conceptual Dynamic Shoulder Lane (DShL), Dynamic Speed Limit (DSpL), and Queue Warning (QW) Signage for Los Angeles Area (27)
• Figure 30. Flowchart. Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) Analysis for the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) (47)

List of Tables

• Table 1. Overview of Active Traffic Management (ATM) Feasibility and Screening Process
• Table 2. Acronyms Used for Active Traffic Management (ATM) Strategies Addressed in This Guidance
• Table 3. Active Traffic Management (ATM) Feasibility and Screening Guidance: Process Steps, Activities, and Example Application
• Table 4. Active Traffic Management (ATM) Strategies
• Table 5. Summary of Active Traffic Management (ATM) Benefits from U.S. Deployments
• Table 6. Summary of Active Traffic Management (ATM) Benefits from European Deployments
• Table 7. Sample Objectives for Active Traffic Management (ATM)
• Table 8. Goals from the Active Management Screening Tool (AMST)
• Table 9. Goals from the Turbo Architecture Planning Module
• Table 10. Summary of the Extent to Which Active Traffic Management (ATM) Strategies May Help Solve Transportation Issues and Help Achieve Regional Goals
• Table 11. Desired Information and Data for Preliminary Active Traffic Management (ATM) Screening
• Table 12. Advantages and Disadvantages of Shoulder Use Alternatives
• Table 13. Sample Cost of Active Traffic Management (ATM) Systems
• Table 14. Active Traffic Management (ATM) Components to be Included in Capital Costs
• Table 15. Summary of Guidance on Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) Strategies Provided By Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost (TOPS-BC)
• Table 16. National Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) Architecture Service Packages Directly Applicable to Active Traffic Management (ATM) Strategies