Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) Analytical Methods for Urban Streets
APPENDIX. SUMMARY OF URBAN STREET ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND DEMAND STRATEGIES
1. Active Demand Management
It consists of the strategies that aim to redistribute drivers. This occurs either by incentivizing them to use a facility during off-peak hours, or by discouraging them from using a facility by charging a fee during peak hours. The following is a list of active demand management (ADM) strategies:
- Dynamic Ridesharing: e.g., carpooling, vanpooling.
- Shared use mobility: e.g., car-share, bike-share.
- On-Demand Transit.
- Transit connection protection.
- Dynamic Pricing.
- Predictive Traveler Information.
2. Active Traffic Management
Active traffic management (ATM) strategies aim to move traffic more efficiently. They manage traffic on a facility using real- time data. ATM strategies include the following:
- Dynamic Lane Use Control: The dynamic closing or opening of individual traffic lanes as warranted, and providing advance warning of the closure(s) (typically through dynamic lane control signs) to safely merge traffic into adjoining lanes.
- Reversible Lanes: The reversal (i.e., contraflow treatment) of lanes in order to dynamically allocate the capacity of congested roads, thereby allowing capacity to better match traffic demand throughout the day.
- Dynamic Junction Control: Dynamic allocation of mainline and ramp lanes access in interchange areas where high traffic volumes are present. To be warranted, significant traffic congestion must be caused by ramp weaving activity.
- Dynamic Lane Grouping: Dynamic assignment of lane channelization (i.e., allowed turning movements in each lane) at signalized intersections. To be warranted, significant traffic congestion on left-turn or right-turn movements must occur simultaneously with little or no congestion on the adjacent through lanes, during certain times of the day.
- Adaptive Traffic Signal Control: The continuous monitoring of arterial traffic conditions and intersections queuing, plus dynamic adjustment of signal timings to optimize one or more operational objectives (e.g., minimize overall delays).
- Dynamic Merge Control: Also known as dynamic late merge or dynamic early merge, this strategy consists of dynamically managing the entry of vehicles into merge areas with a series of advisory messages (e.g., displayed on a dynamic message sign or lane control sign). These advisory messages prepare motorists for an upcoming merge, encouraging or directing a consistent merging behavior.
- Dynamic Speed Limits: Adjustment of speed limits based on real-time traffic, roadway, and/or weather conditions.
- Queue Warning: Real-time display of warning messages (typically on dynamic message signs (DMS) and possibly coupled with flashing lights) along a roadway to alert motorists that queues or significant slowdowns are ahead, thus reducing rear-end crashes and improving safety.
- Adaptive Ramp Metering: Deployment of traffic signal(s) on ramps, to dynamically control the rate at which vehicles enter a freeway facility.
- Transit Signal Priority: Management of traffic signals by using sensors or probe vehicle technology, to detect when a bus nears a signal-controlled intersection. Returning the traffic signals to green sooner, or extending the green phase, can allow buses to pass through more quickly.
3. Active Parking Management
As the name suggests, active parking management (APM) is designed to manage parking facility demands using the following strategies:
- Dynamically Priced Parking.
- Dynamic Parking Reservation.
- Dynamic Way-Finding.
- Dynamic Parking Capacity.
4. Weather Related Strategies
Due to its very dynamic and responsive nature to the current conditions, another dimension is added to ATDM. That's where weather related strategies come in. These strategies include:
- Snow Emergency Parking Management.
- Traffic Signal Preemption for Winter Maintenance Vehicles.
- Snowplow Routing.
- Anti-Icing and Deicing Operations.
