Managing Traffic Congestion: Can Operations Make A

Difference?A National PerspectiveA National Perspective

Jeffrey F. PaniatiAssociate Administrator for Operations

Federal Highway Administration

ITE Annual MeetingOrlando, Florida

August 2, 2004

Presentation Outline

Congestion Trends Importance of ReliabilityExamples of Aggressive Operations

Strategies to Improve System Reliability

Congestion is Getting Worse

Sources of Congestion

Performance Measurement from the Customers Perspective - Reliability Travel Time Index and Buffer Index by Time-of-Day

1.001.00

1.201.20

1.401.40

1.601.60

1.801.80

2.002.00

2.202.20

2.402.40

0:000:00 2:002:00 4:004:00 6:006:00 8:008:00 10:0010:00 12:0012:00 14:0014:00 16:0016:00 18:0018:00 20:0020:00 22:0022:00 0:000:00

Time of Day (Average Weekdays Only)Time of Day (Average Weekdays Only)

Index Value or Index Value or Congested Travel (1.0=100%) Congested Travel (1.0=100%) Travel Time IndexTravel Time Index

Buffer IndexBuffer Index

Travel Time Reliability -- Reduce the Gap

On time 95%

Unreliable travel conditions

Making Travel More Reliable Has Multiple Benefits

Reducing the effects of events (e.g., traffic incidents, WZs, weather) Provides “double” congestion relief:

More predictable (less variable travel), AND Lower overall delay

Improves safety Duration of motorist exposure to unsafe conditions

reduced Saves fuel Reduces emissions

Unreliable trips valued at a premium by users 2-6X the average for commuters Higher value for freight, especially JIT

Examples of Aggressive Operations Strategies to Improve

System Reliability

Traffic Incident Management

Work Zone Management

Traveler Information

Traffic Incident ManagementAggressive:• Formal regional program with mutual

agreements.• Defined performance goals.• Integrated on-scene activity.

Typical:• Informal, personality-dependent programs.• Agency culture and priorities drive on-scene

operations.• Incompatible communications systems.

Integrated On-Scene OperationsSeattle, WA

• Joint Operations Policy Statement• WSDOT and WSP• 90 Minute Clearance Goal

Work Zone Safety and MobilityAggressive:• Real time traveler information on web sites.• Shorter construction duration and traveler exposure to work zones.• Using ITS applications to improve safety and mobility in work zones.

Typical:• Only general construction information on web sites.• Limited use of innovative construction and contracting strategies designed to reduce project duration.• Minor application of ITS technologies to improve work zone performance.

Albuquerque “Big I” Work Zone ITS

New Mexico used ITS to reduce traffic incident clearance time from 45 minutes in the past to 25 minutes during the project.

ITS Control Center

Coordination with Emergency Services

Traveler InformationAggressive:• Travel times and incident information on DMS. High quality 511 services, including ubiquitous

metropolitan implementation.• High quality, easily accessible, and

understandable information on websites.

Typical:• DMS blank, limited information (e.g., “Congestion Ahead”).• No 511 service.• Out-of-date information on websites.

San Antonio

“Final Word”Can Operations Make a Difference

– YES!What will it take …..

A Comprehensive set of strategies Ownership by all regional stakeholders

Public, businesses, and agencies Aggressively Operate the Transportation

System Proactively and Regionally

Focus on Addressing System Reliability