Transportation Management, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Other Adaptations to Maturity in the Highway

Sector

David Levinson

Why Transportation Systems (Supply)

Management• We have largely built out existing transportation network (S-Curve).

• Highways are a mature system.• More efficient (faster, safer, greater person flows (and vehicle flows)) use of existing transportation facilities without significant new construction.

• Complements TDM strategies - but not aimed at reducing demand.

Identify TSM Tools

• High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (HOV Lanes)• High Occupancy Toll Lanes (HOT Lanes)• Bus Priority Lanes, Queue Jumpers, Signal Pre-

emption• Park and Ride Lots• Ramp Meters• Highway Helpers• Variable Message Signs• Electronic Toll Collection• Highway Access Management• Other “Intelligent Transportation Systems”• Other

What are advantages, disadvantages of each

• Table:TSM Measure Advantages Disadvantages

BackgroundRamp Metering in the Twin Cities

• 443 ramp meters in the metro area;• Zonal control;• Long delays at some ramps;• All meters were shut off for 8 weeks from Oct. to Dec., 2000.

0

200

400

600

1968 1974 1980 1986 1992 1998 2004

Year

No. of Ramp Meters

Overview

1. TDMa. What is it?b. Who are the players?

2. Tools and techniquesa. Effectiveness?

3. Strategies for implementation

Understanding the jargon

TMA or TMO

TDM

TRO or TDM plan

TDM: What is it?

• Demand driven…even demand oriented• Attractive strategy (akin to least cost planning)– “reduces resource requirements (e.g., oil for fuel) on the input side of the balance sheet and the magnitude of waste material (e.g., air pollution) on the output side of the equation.

– Increase the efficiency of the transportation system at little cost

Different Types of TDMAlternative work schedulesStaggeredFlex timeFour-day weekTelecommuting

Alternative modesCarpoolsVanpoolsSubscription buses

Parking managementPreferential parkingParking pricingParking ratiosPark-n-rides

Road PricingPreferential HOV lanesCongestion pricing

TransitEmployer sponsoredEmployer subsidized

Land use zoningHigher densitiesMixed use developmentTOD

Issues/dimensions to understand

• Suitability of the metro area?• Likely travel impacts

– For what type of travel (reductions in SOV use, trip generation, VMT or increases in transit use?)

• Costs– For whom?

• Levels of acceptance• Difficulty of implementation

Costs of Telecommunications?

• May induce travel• May induce leapfrog development in the hinterland

• May encourage “lone eagles”• Role of the Web?• Long term effectiveness?

Implementation: Transportation

Management Organizations and TROs

Products, Services, Facilitation from TMO

• Ridesharing information and assistance (e.g., computerized carpool matchlists)

• Transit information and assistance (e.g., route maps and bus schedules)

• Convenience incentives (e.g., parking spaces)

• Financial incentives (e.g., transit pass subsidies)

• Program operations (e.g., vanpools)• Alternative work schedules• On-site amenities (e.g., child day care)• Facilities improvements (e.g., bicycle lockers)

Case study: Minneapolis

• Current situation:– 60,000 parking stalls (city owns two-thirds of them)

– 145,000 people work Downtown (roughly 2/3 use transportation alternatives)

• New Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code codified specific TDM Plan requirements (’99).– New developments > 100,000 sf produce a TDM Plan. Also, Public Works still exercises its blanket authority to require plans for smaller projects if warranted

– What is in the TDM plan?