The TPB's CMP effort focuses on defining the existing operational management strategies that contribute to the more effective use and improved safety of existing and future transportation systems. The TPB is committed to a number of ongoing operational management strategies, such as:
Incident Management/Non-Recurring Congestion Strategies
According to the Federal Highway Administration, an estimated 50% of congestion is associated with incidents such as crashes, disabled vehicles, and traffic associated with special events. The TPB minimizes the impact these events have on the transportation network and traveler safety. If an incident disrupts traffic, it is important for congestion that normal flow resumes quickly. The TPB compiles and analyzes data associated with these incident management programs.
- DDOT provides information on many incident management areas, including updating and protecting communication network, deployment of evacuation dynamic message signs, emergency public address system, evacuation plans, and deployment of CCTV cameras.
- Maryland's Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) program provides TPB with information such as distribution of incidents and disabled vehicles by location; number and type of incidents responded to; reduction in secondary incidents; percent of incidents occurring on weekdays versus weekends; and roadway segments with highest number of incidents.
- VDOT's Safety Service Patrol (SSP) detects incidents and disruptions in traffic, minimizes incident duration, clears obstructions and debris from the roadway, establishes temporary traffic control for emergency responders and provides scene assistance as needed. DDOT and MDSHA also have similar safety patrols.
- The Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) program, a joint effort of DDOT, MDOT, VDOT, and WMATA with TPB, is a regional program to enhance the availability of real-time transportation information and strengthen coordination among transportation agencies.
ITS Technologies and Systems Management
The TPB works with the region's jurisdictions and local transportation agencies to implement these ITS technologies, from which the TPB compiles and analyzes operational management data.
- Advanced Traffic Signal Systems apply computer and communications technologies to the operations of traffic signals in order to maximize safety and efficiency. Components of such systems include interconnection of groups of signals to facilitate timing and coordination among them, and countdown signals for pedestrians to bolster safety and walkability.
- Electronic Payment Systems use cards or transponders carried by the user that electronically communicate with devices maintained by a transportation agency to conduct and record payment transactions. Examples include WMATA's SmarTrip card, for uses on bus, rail, and WMATA parking lots, as well as the E-Z Pass toll system.
- Service Patrols involve specialized trucks or vans traveling the highways and rendering assistance where needed, such as pushing disabled vehicles off the road, providing gasoline, or changing tires. DDOT, MDOT, and VDOT all implement service patrols on roadways. Also, Montgomery County is the first local jurisdiction in the area to have patrols (since 2006), primarily on arterials.
- Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) are technology-based means of compiling and disseminating transportation system information on a real-time or near-real-time basis prior to or during tripmaking. Examples include the Virginia 511 system.
- Transit Information Systems provide information to riders after their trips have started, including arrival and departure times, information on transfers and connections, and related services like park and ride availability. Metrorail implements passenger information on platform displays, on the web, and via mobile phone.
Capacity Increases (Where Necessary)
Federal law and regulations list capacity increases as another possible component of operational management strategies, for consideration in cases of:
- Elimination of bottlenecks, where a modest increase of capacity at a critical chokepoint can relieve congestion affecting a facility or facilities well beyond the chokepoint location. Widening the ramp from I-495 Capital Beltway Outer Loop to westbound VA 267 (Dulles Toll Road) relieved miles of regularly occurring backups on the Beltway and across the American Legion Bridge.
- Safety improvements, where safety issues may be worsening congestion, such as at high-crash locations, mitigating the safety issues may help alleviate congestion associated with those locations.
- Traffic operational improvements, including adding or lengthening left turn, right turn, or merge lanes or reconfiguring the engineering design of intersections to aid traffic flow while maintaining safety.