SHRP2 Project L11:Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time Reliability

Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

ECONorthwest

University of Washington Transportation Research Center

University of Florida Transportation Center

Dr. Joseph Schofer, Northwestern University

Dr. Michael Meyer, Georgia Institute of Technology

Write Rhetoric

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Key project objectives and findings

Strategies and trends affecting reliability

Recommended steps to improving agency effectiveness

Mainstreaming reliability:– Implementation road map

– Recommended agency path

Estimating the value of reliability

Project ObjectiveProject Objective

Identify and evaluate strategies to meet road user reliability needs according to:

– Travel type (person vs. freight)

– Travel location (urban vs. rural)

– Time scenario (near-term vs. long-term)

Context for project findings and recommendations:

– Degree of congestion is the overriding factor affecting reliability

New/Emerging StrategiesNew/Emerging Strategies

Automation/Infrastructure– Road pricing, real-time control of transit arrivals, IntelliDrive,

vehicle automation, automation in truck operations

Information Technology/Data Sharing Technologies– Real-time system status and predictive models, weather

detection and response, accessible vehicle probe data

Integration/Cooperation– Customized real-time multimodal routing, crash detection and

clearance, real-time parking, conditions, and routing information

For each strategy, provide:- description- affected travel modes- impacts on reliability- implementation cost

Xxx strategies are identified

Trends Affecting Travel Time ReliabilityTrends Affecting Travel Time Reliability

Demographics– 40% population increase by 2030

Environment– Climate is changing

Energy– Petroleum costs will rise

Technology & innovation– Energy and communication

sources and costs

Freight– 90% increase in domestic

tonnage

Financing– Disconnect between supply and

demand

Urban Sprawl

Densification Privatization

Energy Costs

Technology

Reliability

Effectively Integrating Reliability into an AgencyEffectively Integrating Reliability into an Agency

How is agency effectiveness measured?– Output measures (number of VMS signs, 511 calls, average

incident duration)

– Outcome measures (effect of actions on improved travel time reliability and/or reduced delay)

What issues affect agency effectiveness?– Availability of and access to appropriate resources

– Control/understanding over when, where, and how disruptions occur

– Knowledge/training in when and how to apply resources

– Feedback on results of past performance

Steps to an Effective Agency OperationSteps to an Effective Agency Operation

SO&M: Application of ITS strategies to maintain and improve highway service in terms of recurring and non-recurring congestion

1. Incorporate Systems Operations and Management (SO&M) into Institutional Architecture

Four Key Elements of Institutional Architecture:

System Operations and Management (SO&M) Structure AwarenessEstablish SO&M Structure Establish SO&M as a High-Priority Budget Item Identify Public-Private Partnership Opportunities

Where does it fit in?

Typical DOT

Planning Operations Design

SO&M

Maintenance SO&M

SO&M

Steps to an Effective Agency OperationSteps to an Effective Agency Operation

2. Provide more accurate and accessible travel time information

Probe vehicles and point detectionSurveillance and detection Pre-trip information Real-time information

Roadside messages

Modified travel behavior: Departure timeMode choiceRoute choice

Improved network capacity utilization and reliability

Steps to an Effective Agency OperationSteps to an Effective Agency Operation

3. Develop safer, more efficient, and more intelligent vehicles

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Steps to an Effective Agency OperationSteps to an Effective Agency Operation

4. Manage Incidents, Work Zones and Special Events

– Pre-event - construction phasing- evacuation planning

– Post-event - coordinated response- service patrols- Monitor and evaluate

infrastructure to determine vulnerability

Steps to an Effective Agency OperationSteps to an Effective Agency Operation

Reduce and encourage alternative travel

Multimodal travel

Travel reduction

Low-cost changes to the physical roadway section

Geometric design treatments

Access management

Lane treatments

Strategies that influence and respond to demand

Signal timing/ITS

Traffic demand metering

Variable speed limits

Congestion pricing

5. Implement strategies and treatments to improve roadway performance

Agency Implementation RoadmapAgency Implementation Roadmap

Political steps– Educate decision makers on need to balance demand and

supply– Select accountability-based performance measures– Use pricing strategies to achieve performance outcomes– Participate in demand management programs

Interagency steps– Create collaborative culture among agencies– Collect and share performance data– Encourage interaction with the private sector and trip

generators

Technology steps– Collect and share data with both public and private partners– Encourage private innovation and risk-taking

An Agency Path to Mainstreaming ReliabilityAn Agency Path to Mainstreaming Reliability

1. Introduce culture of service, innovation, and partnerships

2. Prioritize projects per performance measures

3. Integrate Agency Path

Mode Jurisdiction Functional responsibilities Data Public/Private Partnerships

4. Deploy Current & New Technologies

5. Integrate Technologies

6. Trade fuel tax for fees-for-service funding

Integration

User Options

Funding

Structure

Options Theoretic Approach SummaryOptions Theoretic Approach SummaryOptions Theoretic Approach SummaryOptions Theoretic Approach Summary

An options theoretic approach has been developed for the valuation of An options theoretic approach has been developed for the valuation of travel time reliability.travel time reliability.This innovative approach is supported by theory and empirical estimations This innovative approach is supported by theory and empirical estimations where travelers are willing to trade average travel time for lower travel where travelers are willing to trade average travel time for lower travel time variability.time variability.

• This approach This approach has been has been successfully successfully implemented implemented in the travel in the travel demand model demand model and benefit-and benefit-cost analysis cost analysis tool for a MPO.tool for a MPO.

ECONorthwest for PSRC Transportation 2020 Travel Model and BCA runs.

Questions for the AudienceQuestions for the Audience

What are the most problematic elements of the recommended agency path?

What other steps should be included in the recommended agency path?