Office of Operations
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21st century operations using 21st century technologies

Operations News - Archive

News

News Archive

FHWA issues Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) for the 11th edition of the MUTCD - 12/16/2020
The Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) for the 11th edition of the MUTCD is now available for public comment in the Federal Register. The NPA represents a comprehensive update to the MUTCD, incorporating the results of over 150 Official Experiments of novel traffic control devices and applications, Official Interpretations, Interim Approvals, and other research conducted both independently and by the Traffic Control Device Consortium Pooled Fund. Public comments may be submitted to the public docket. All supplemental documents, including proposed text, figures, and tables, are available for review on the docket as well as a comment submission form. Comments may be submitted through March 15, 2021.

RITIS: A Probe-data Source for Enhancing Operations and Planning Capabilities - 11/30/2020
This publication provides an overview of the work zone performance monitoring application of the Regional Integrated Transportation Information System (RITIS) to improve planning and management of work zones.

The National Performance Management Research Data Set (NPMRDS) and Application for Work Zone Performance Measurement - 11/25/2020
This fact sheet provides a quick overview of how National Performance Management Research Data Set (NPRMDS) can be used to manage work zone mobility performance.

National Work Zone Traffic Management and Safety Virtual Conference - 9/14/2020
The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse will present a two-hour virtual event from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, Sept. 17.

Topics include "Connected Work Zones" and "Commercial Motor Vehicle Crashes in Work Zones."

This event is part of the biennial Work Zone Traffic Management and Safety Conference, which was postponed until March 15-17, 2021.

Register for the virtual event now

2019 Urban Congestion Trends Report Available - 9/11/2020
The latest annual report on urban congestion trends is now available. The 2019 Urban Congestion Trends – Leveraging Data to Improve Operations Performance report includes annual traffic congestion-related measures in the 52 largest urban areas in the United States. The report also includes example operational strategy evaluations and how State DOTs and MPOs are using the National Performance Management Research Data Set (NPMRDS).

TSMO Outreach Kit - 7/23/2020
Gaining buy-in and collaboration for transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) among different units and programs within a DOT, and with external partners, usually requires effective ongoing outreach and communication. A new webpage on Communicating TSMO is available to help agencies build support for TSMO. Resources include a new TSMO outreach kit, developed in collaboration with AASHTO, that is geared toward leadership and includes a brochure, talking points, testimonials, and FAQs.

Border Wait-Time Technology Noteworthy Practices - 6/11/2020
States and local government agencies are deploying border wait time technologies to successfully address congestions at the land ports of entry. These practices have the capacity to facilitate the safe, secure, and efficient flow of goods at borders and trade corridors. Highlighted are two noteworthy practices at the U.S./Canada northern border.

Enhancing Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) with Advanced and Emerging Technologies and Data Sources - 5/27/2020
This document provides information for enhancing ATDM applications using emerging technologies and data sources. It introduces emerging technologies and data sources and how they can be used to enhance ATDM applications. It provides organizational information and operations and maintenance information for future deployments. Design and deployment elements and methods are discussed. Included are challenges that are encountered as well as case studies.

Integrated Corridor Management: Making the Case to Executive Leadership - 5/15/2020
This nine minute video introduces and explains that Integrated Corridor Management, or ICM, is a multi-agency, corridor-wide response, and not just a local detour, for the most impacting and severe events on a freeway, such as a truck overturn, or a chemical spill, or a multi-vehicle pile-up.

Real-Time Integration of Arrow-Generated Work Zone Activity Data into Traveler Information Systems - 3/26/2020
This fact sheet provides information on using Connected Arrow Boards, by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, to improve traveler information and lane closure information accuracy.

Using Safety Contingency Funding to Address Unforeseen Safety Needs During Construction in Texas - 3/26/2020
Unforeseen needs often arise during the construction phase of a project. To address this issue, Texas Department of Transportation uses a safety contingency line item as part of the project estimate phase. As a result, the State has seen a significant positive impact in its ability to address infrastructure and roadside safety concerns in and around its work zones.

Raising Awareness of Artificial Intelligence for Transportation Systems Management and Operations - 2/13/2020
This report introduces the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and potential areas of AI applications in Transportation Management Center (TMC) operations; documents successful AI applications and lessons learned in TMC operations; showcases TMCs using AI to improve their operations; and identifies needs for future studies on this topic. The report provides information to assist transportation agencies with better preparation for the potential impacts of AI on operational activities, resources, system needs, and decisionmaking.

Active Demand Management Capability Maturity Framework (CMF) tool - 1/27/2020
This framework is intended for agencies or regions to assess current capabilities with respect to advancing the role of demand management practices as part of Transportation Systems Management and Operations. When the current capabilities are determined, the tool provides a list of concrete actions for agencies to raise their capabilities to the desired levels. Active Demand Management Capability Maturity Framework Tool.

Decision Support Framework and Parameters for Dynamic Part-Time Shoulder Use: Considerations for Opening Freeway Shoulders for Travel as a Traffic Management Strategy - 1/6/2020
Building off the FHWA Part Time Shoulder Use (PTSU) Guide released in 2016, this new report provides agencies with information and suggested approaches for Dynamic Part-Time Shoulder Use (D-PTSU). The report explains how the opening of PTSU can be optimized based on speed and volume conditions observed or modeled on the freeway, and methods for determining specific "decision parameters" for opening the shoulder are presented.