Paving the information highway
Building public trust through reliable communications
Brian MantheyCommunications Officer
Marquette Interchange TeamWisconsin Department of
TransportationSeptember 12, 2005
Cornerstone of downtown;Gateway to the stateDowntown Milwaukee relies on theMarquette Interchange
75,000 downtown residents 1.1 million residents in total market areaAlmost 4,300 private downtown businesses121,600 private jobs7 million visitors to downtown festivals & attractions
Wisconsin relies on the Marquette Interchange
Access to 37% of state’s jobs and population in southeastern WisconsinAccess to another 24% of state’s jobs and population in eastern countiesKey tourism access to Door County, Green Bay, and NE Wisconsin
Downtown Milwaukee relies on theMarquette Interchange
75,000 downtown residents 1.1 million residents in total market areaAlmost 4,300 private downtown businesses121,600 private jobs7 million visitors to downtown festivals & attractions
Wisconsin relies on the Marquette Interchange
Access to 37% of state’s jobs and population in southeastern WisconsinAccess to another 24% of state’s jobs and population in eastern countiesKey tourism access to Door County, Green Bay, and NE Wisconsin
History of the Marquette Interchange (1952-Present)
1952: A north-south/east-west freeway with an interchange is proposed southeast of the Marquette University campus1968: The Marquette Interchange is dedicated and opens to traffic on Dec. 23rd
1972: Second proposed freeway and interchange north of downtown is de-mapped due to freeway opposition1992: Accelerated deterioration and traffic safety issues lead to recommendation to rebuild the interchange2002: Preliminary plans for the redesign of the Marquette Interchange complete2004: Construction begins on $810 Million redesign of the interchange
1952: A north-south/east-west freeway with an interchange is proposed southeast of the Marquette University campus1968: The Marquette Interchange is dedicated and opens to traffic on Dec. 23rd
1972: Second proposed freeway and interchange north of downtown is de-mapped due to freeway opposition1992: Accelerated deterioration and traffic safety issues lead to recommendation to rebuild the interchange2002: Preliminary plans for the redesign of the Marquette Interchange complete2004: Construction begins on $810 Million redesign of the interchange
What are the problems?
Structure deteriorationCrash rates are high
Traffic congestion
Project Goal: Redesign and rebuild the Marquette Interchange
Reconstruction project addresses needs for the community and the state, with an overall budget of $810 million and construction from 2004 to 2008
TRUST –Building a foundation for success
Trust is:built and maintained by many small actions over time; taking someone at their word and expressing a belief they will follow through in all they promised.
Trust is:built and maintained by many small actions over time; taking someone at their word and expressing a belief they will follow through in all they promised.
TRUST –Identify and empower stakeholders
Business community. Find a way to keep Milwaukee open for business while rebuilding the interchangeUse existing voices within the business community
Neighborhood communities. Traditional neighborhoodsSchools – Marquette , MSOE, MPSContract with existing voicesPolitical contact
Driving publicCommutersOccasional visitorsTourists
Business community. Find a way to keep Milwaukee open for business while rebuilding the interchangeUse existing voices within the business community
Neighborhood communities. Traditional neighborhoodsSchools – Marquette , MSOE, MPSContract with existing voicesPolitical contact
Driving publicCommutersOccasional visitorsTourists
CHALLENGE –Keep downtown open for business
Action planUtilize the best available ITS
and communications tools to reinforce message, deliver on promises and build public trustMaintain access to downtown from alternate ramp locations when necessaryMaintain two lanes from all directions (EB, WB, SB, NB) in peak periods
Action planUtilize the best available ITS
and communications tools to reinforce message, deliver on promises and build public trustMaintain access to downtown from alternate ramp locations when necessaryMaintain two lanes from all directions (EB, WB, SB, NB) in peak periods Beth Nicols
Downtown Business Association
Challenge –Motorists safety and peace of mind
Special emphasis on work zone safety in conjunction with Milwaukee Co Sheriff
Traffic response units to clear incidents quickly
Regular traffic control inspections
Action – Utilize real-time info and safety elementsTraffic Operation Center (TOC) Milwaukee County Sheriff
Update traffic cams and traffic detection tools
24/7 Operations began July 1
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Freeway Service Patrols
One vehicle/deputy each shift operating 24/6 (off Sunday)
Action: ITS signage both from TOC and contractors
VMS, CMS and trailblazing signageVariable Message Signs (VMS)Variable Message Signs (VMS) Changeable Message Signs
Trailblazing signage
Action – ITSInteractive web site based on construction schedule
“Map-It” Tool Route planning generated by using construction schedule. Traffic Information Map Includes TOC generated real-time performance data, alerts, and traffic-cam photos.TrafficBugIcon can be installed on computer toolbar; flashes when alerts occur within user’s selected routes
“Map-It” Tool Route planning generated by using construction schedule. Traffic Information Map Includes TOC generated real-time performance data, alerts, and traffic-cam photos.TrafficBugIcon can be installed on computer toolbar; flashes when alerts occur within user’s selected routes
MCHANGE.ORG
TOUR =>
No good deed goes unpunished…
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel HeadlinesMilwaukee Journal Sentinel Headlines
The headline that hasn’t appeared…
Milwaukee Journal SentinelProject Web site fails Information unreliable
Milwaukee Journal SentinelProject Web site fails Information unreliable
Other traffic mitigation effortsUp-to-date Get Around Guide
Other traffic mitigation efforts Media communications
Other traffic mitigation effortsAlternate Routes and alternate modes
Enhance transit optionsLocal bus routesFreeway & festival flyers
Project hotline888-468-0037Updated message for short-term closures
Improve alternate routesRealign intersectionsAdjust traffic signal timingAdjust parking
Enhance transit optionsLocal bus routesFreeway & festival flyers
Project hotline888-468-0037Updated message for short-term closures
Improve alternate routesRealign intersectionsAdjust traffic signal timingAdjust parking
Results -mchange.org delivers as promised
Over 31 million hits since October 2004.Usage spikes at key points of the projectVisits recorded from all 50 states and all Canadian ProvincesBusiness have linked to Map-it directions
Over 31 million hits since October 2004.Usage spikes at key points of the projectVisits recorded from all 50 states and all Canadian ProvincesBusiness have linked to Map-it directions
RESULT –Minimal average increase in travel times
Milwaukee-area travel times
Travel times as of 4:01:35 PM (CDT) Wed., May. 4, 2005Times in parentheses are free-flow (normal) travel times.
I-43 NB Downtown - Brown Deer Rd. 11:00 minutes (11 min) No delay
I-43 SB Capitol Dr. - Downtown 8:32 minutes (4 min) +4:32
I-43 SB Brown Deer Rd. - Downtown 14:58 minutes (10 min) +4:58
I-894 EB Hale - Mitchell 5:29 minutes (6 min) No delay
I-894 WB Hale - Zoo 4:35 minutes (4 min) +0:35
I-94 EB Moorland Rd. - Zoo 7:43 minutes (3 min) +4:43
I-94 EB Hwy 16 - Zoo 22:21 minutes (10 min) +12:21
I-94 EB Moorland Rd. - Downtown 12:51 minutes (10 min) +2:51
I-94 NB 7 Mile Rd. - Layton Ave. 7:01 minutes (7 min) +0:01
I-94 NB Layton Ave. - Downtown 6:38 minutes (6 min) +0:38
US45 SB Hwy Q - Zoo 19:33 minutes (15 min) +4:33
US45 SB Good Hope Rd. - Zoo 15:47 minutes (9 min) +6:47
RESULT –Downtown has stayed open for business
Wells Street Bridge demolition on December 10, 2004 (Friday night) required complete closure of I-43Despite closure, at least 22,000 downtown arts, entertainment and Milwaukee Bucks customers got home safelyMedia reports and mchange.org were key tools to keep motorists informed about the eventPublic confidence in the management of the project soared
Wells Street Bridge demolition on December 10, 2004 (Friday night) required complete closure of I-43Despite closure, at least 22,000 downtown arts, entertainment and Milwaukee Bucks customers got home safelyMedia reports and mchange.org were key tools to keep motorists informed about the eventPublic confidence in the management of the project soared
Wrap-up
Trust is built and maintained through many small actions over time.Embrace the idea of public trust as the foundation of project success.Identify and empower stakeholders early in the process. Commit to technology and ideas that produces reliable communications and fosters public trust.
Trust is built and maintained through many small actions over time.Embrace the idea of public trust as the foundation of project success.Identify and empower stakeholders early in the process. Commit to technology and ideas that produces reliable communications and fosters public trust.
Intelligent
Trust-building
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