5.0 What a Regional Concept for Transportation Operations Looks Like

Operations Objective:

Within the next five years, recurring and non-recurring congestion will be actively managed through the application of integrated regional transportation systems management and operations strategies on selected facilities on major travel corridors.

Physical Improvements:

• Signals at 50 intersections along major routes will be coordinated.
• Dynamic message signs will be operational at 10 arterial locations and 10 freeway locations.
• Highway advisory radio will cover 50 percent of selected facilities along major travel corridors.
• Incident detection, verification, response, and management will be aided through the use of at least 20 new freeway service patrol tow trucks equipped with advanced vehicle location systems.

Relationships and Procedures:

• A regional operations collaborative activity will build relationships, determine ownership and control responsibilities, and guide the development and installation of equipment and services.
• Existing and planned initiatives, as identified in transportation plans and improvement programs will be coordinated on a regional basis.
• Region-wide system performance measures, interagency agreements, and MOUs will be established to achieve installation and performance expectations.

Resource Arrangements:

• Joint purchasing agreements help agencies and jurisdictions to buy according to agreed-upon standards.
• An ongoing regional operations collaboration and coordination forum will be jointly supported by agencies and jurisdictions in the region.
• The regional TIP will contain projects and services that support the operations objective.
• The capital improvement programs of participating agencies and jurisdictions will contain supporting projects and activities.

Operations Objective:

Within the next five years, operators in the region will be able to coordinate activities rapidly and effectively using a wireless integrated network in response to non-recurring congestion caused by construction, weather, emergencies, traffic incidents, and special events.

Physical Improvements:

• Voice and data network integrated across public safety and transportation agencies and across multiple states.
• Mobile data system with message-switching functions and a message gateway function to connect different systems.
• Graphical user interface software for mobile computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
• Computer hardware including PDAs for field personnel.

Relationships and Procedures:

• An executive leadership group, development group, technical working group, and operational group will be formed, assigned specific duties, and meet at least once a week.
• The benefits of the wireless integrated network will be marketed to decisionmakers and the public.
• An ITS architecture with associated agreements and standards will be developed and used to guide information sharing and data exchange.
• Interagency agreements and MOUs to facilitate information sharing will be established.
• Region-wide system performance measures and information sharing standards and protocols will be established.

Resource Arrangements:

• Joint purchasing agreements will be established and used.
• Staff exchange and training programs will be created and utilized.
• Cost sharing arrangements and shared use agreements will be produced.

Within five years, improved communications, procedures, and equipment will reduce the clearance time of traffic incidents by 25 percent on all freeways.

Physical Improvements:

• Detection – The number of improved loop/camera detectors, and service patrols will be expanded by 20 percent.
• Verification – Number of cameras and other devices will be expanded to provide information for deploying resources.
• Response – Compatible computer-aided dispatch systems to alert and quickly dispatch appropriate assets will be installed in all agencies. The number of service patrols and emergency vehicles with AVL will be expanded by 20 percent.
• Clearance – 20 new freeway service patrol trucks will be used for efficient vehicle clearance;
• Recovery – The number of pre-positioned towing assets to remove vehicles will be increased by 25 percent during peak periods and for special events.
• Incident Site Management – Compatible mobile communications devices on common frequencies will support coordination among agencies, jurisdictions, and private sector entities.
• Traffic Management/Motorist Information –highway advisory radio and dynamic message signs will provide timely and accurate information to motorists concerning expected delays and alternate routes.

Relationships and Procedures:

• An ongoing regional forum for collaboration and coordination on traffic incident management will be created and used to build relationships, determine ownership and control responsibilities, and guide the development and installation of equipment and services.
• Contracts and incentives with towing companies for quick response will be established.
• Agreements and protocols for information sharing and data exchange will be established and used by each agency responsible for traffic incident clearance such as fire, police, State DOT, emergency medical, and towing.
• Formal agreements for response coordination and mutual assistance will be established and used.
• Standard measures to track success, including detection, response time, and time to clear the incident will be developed and agreed upon.
• Agreements to share monitoring and control in off-peak periods will be established.

Resource Arrangements:

Support for an ongoing regional forum for collaboration and coordination by contributing staff time and dollars among agencies and jurisdictions will continue. Traffic, transit, and public safety agencies will routinely exchange staff. Shared equipment and staff during emergencies, weather events, special events, and traffic incidents that are long term (e.g., more then six hours in duration) are enabled by cost reimbursement agreements.