FHWA Operations Program Activities

Context and PrioritiesApril 9, 2013

Why FHWA Focuses on Improving Operations

FHWA Operations Program Areas Key Current Program Priorities

Outline

Influencing travel demand (how much, when, where) and effectively managing the traffic that results

Anticipating and responding to planned and unplanned events (traffic incidents, work zones, bad weather, special events)

Providing travelers with high quality traffic and weather information

Ensuring that the unique needs of the freight community are considered and included in all of the above

Operations is about…

To keep people and commerce moving – a healthy economy needs a reliable transportation system

To reduce / manage impacts of congestion To improve the safety and sustainability of

the highway system To make more cost effective investment of

limited resources To promote a more proactive approach

Why Does FHWA Focus on Improving Operations?

Real-time and forecasted information Measuring / monitoring performance Good analytical foundation / tools State of the art technologies and strategies Integration across system elements,

jurisdictions, and modes An organization and workforce capable of

managing all of the above

Proactively Operating the Transportation System Requires:

Building a Strong Foundation for Proactive Operations◦ Accelerating Implementation of Operations & ITS Technologies and Strategies◦ Operations and Freight Performance Measurement and Management◦ Organizing and Planning for Operations◦ Traffic Analysis Tools◦ Traffic Control (MUTCD)

Managing Congestion by Improving Reliability and Operating the System at Peak Performance◦ Active Transportation and Demand Management◦ Arterial Management / Traffic Signal Operations◦ Congestion Pricing◦ Real-Time Transportation Information◦ Road Weather Management◦ Traffic Incident and Events Management◦ Work Zone Mobility and Safety

Improving Reliability Through Efficient Movement of Freight◦ Commercial Vehicle Size and Weight◦ Freight Data and Analysis◦ Freight Operations and Technology◦ Freight Professional Development

For more information, go to www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov

FHWA Operations Themes / Program Areas

Implementing operations and freight provisions contained in MAP-21

Leading implementation of SHRP2 reliability products

Helping advance connected vehicle research and policy activities

Key Current Program Priorities

National Freight Strategic Plan National Freight Network Designation Performance Management Provisions Jason’s Law (truck parking) Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight

Limits Study Tolling Provisions R&T Provisions

Key Operations and Freight Provisions in MAP-21

Traffic Incident Responder Training◦ Goal is to deliver at least one train-the-trainer

session in each State by end of 2014, eventually deliver training to over 1 million first responders

Improving Organizational Capability to Deliver Effective Operations Programs◦ Engage up to 20 States/large MPOs in detailed

examination and improvement of current practices in operations

Enhancing Knowledge Transfer Capabilities◦ Deploy Knowledge Transfer System as focal point of

operations technology transfer

Implementing SHRP2 Reliability Products

The Connected Vehicle Program

• Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) andvehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) wireless communications for:Crash preventionImproved mobilityEnvironmental sustainability

• Encompasses autos, buses, and trucks• Safety Pilot (large scale model deployment) launched in Ann

Arbor, Michigan in August 2012• Exploration of Policy and Implementation Issues Underway• 2013 NHTSA Decision – should basic communications

capability be required in new vehicles?

Real-time traveler information (SAFETEA-LU section 1201)

Integrated Corridor Management deployment support

Supporting implementation of adaptive signal control technology

Streamlining the MUTCD Etc

Other Key Program Activities

We need stakeholder involvement in all of these programs and initiatives◦ Relevance◦ Reality check◦ Ideas

SSOM is our primary AASHTO conduit for stakeholder involvement from State DOTs

SSOM Can Play a Key Role

Questions?