Transportation Systems Management & Operations
TSMO Strategies Preserve Existing Transportation System
Performance-based transportation planning is a central underpinning of the FAST Act. With it comes emphasis from FHWA on integrating systems management and operations. It encourages us to look at more ways to optimize existing transportation facilities either through advanced technologies or strategies.
FHWA has developed Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO), a set of strategies that focus on operational improvements that can maintain — and even restore — the performance of the existing transportation system before extra capacity is needed. The goal is to get the most performance out of the transportation facilities we already have.
The benefits to TSMO can include:
- Improved quality of life
- Smoother and more reliable traffic flow
- Improved safety
- Reduced congestion
- Less wasted fuel
- Cleaner air
- Increased economic vitality
- More efficient use of resources (facilities, funding)
New system and corridor approaches to optimizing mobility, include such things as:
- Connected and coordinated traffic signals, including adaptive signals with detection, preemption, etc.
- Traveler information systems
- Active Traffic Demand Management enabled by traditional technologies and emerging technologies including hard shoulder running, variable speed limits, V2X technologies enabled by DSRC and 5G for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV)
- Ramp Metering
- Work Zone Management
- Traffic Incident Management
- Special Event Management
- Road Weather Management
- Transit Management
- Freight Management
- Congestion Pricing
- Integrated Corridor Management
- Access Management
- Improved Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossings
OKI recognizes the need and the opportunity that lies ahead. The region needs to do more with less, while also laying foundations for the future. This includes new infrastructure that can accommodate high-speed data transmission, such as fiber optic cable, DSRC and 5G. This is necessary for the efficient collection and dissemination of roadway and transit information, as well as information flow between vehicles and the infrastructure (V2X). This step leads to a fully connected environment that eventually leads to a fully autonomous environment. The pace of this evolution will depend on the social acceptance of such a system. Without question, technology challenges will be easier to solve than social acceptance of autonomous mobility.
Cellular V2X shows great promise for connecting vehicles to everything, including the network, other vehicles, even pedestrians. It relies on cellular communications. Source: NGMN
Improved signalization
Applying coordinated and/or adaptive signal systems as exemplified by closed loop and centralized systems. This may also include signal priority for transit vehicles. The benefits of improved signal systems are commonly measured by reductions in travel time, vehicle stops, delay, fuel consumption, and emissions, and increases in travel speed.
Source: USDOT
Expansion of traveler information systems
Information on travel times and incidents provided in real-time to the traveler via dynamic message signs; a personal electronic device or telephone 511 system. ODOT and KYTC currently operate dynamic message signs; information through website or personal electronic device; and a 511 system for a large portion of the region’s interstate highway system. As vehicles become smarter and more connected, motorist information would not likely come from dynamic message signs but directly to your vehicle.
Source: ODOT
Active traffic management
This is an approach for dynamically managing and controlling traffic demand and available capacity of transportation facilities, based on prevailing conditions, using one or a combination of real-time and predictive operational strategies. When implemented together and alongside traditional travel demand management strategies, these operational strategies help to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the transportation facility; and they result in improved safety, trip reliability and throughput. Components of active traffic management may include speed harmonization, temporary shoulder use, queue warning, dynamic merge control, construction zone management, dynamic truck restrictions, dynamic rerouting and traveler information, dynamic lane markings or automated speed enforcement.
Source: FWHA
Ramp metering
Ramp metering is an effective way to improve traffic flow on freeways. The meter allows traffic to enter the freeway at a rate dependent on the conditions of the freeway traffic. Motorists may be delayed at the meter, but freeway speeds and overall travel times are improved.
Source: Washington State DOT
OKI recommends several TSMO corridors for implementation
| control_id | County | Facility | Location | Description | Type | Cost Estimate (current $M) | Elements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9761 | Dearborn | US 50 | SR 350 Aurora to I-275 | TSMO Corridor 1 (6 miles) | TSMO | $0.48 | add wireless interconnect, 6 -20 signals suburban, adaptive, transit signal preemption. Includie soriginal transit sorridor cost of 5.36. plus adaptive signals |
| 10008 | Kenton | US 25 (Dixie Hwy) | Pike St to Ewing Blvd | TSMO Corridor 3. Create a high-frequency, enhanced bus transit corridor, with improved bus stop/station design and amenities. Length = 9.5 miles | Transit | $6.33 | add wireless interconnect, 6 -20 signals suburban, adaptive, transit signal preemption. Includie soriginal transit sorridor cost of 5.36. plus adaptive signals |
| 9876 | Boone | KY 18 | I-75 to KY 237 | TSMO Corridor 4. Upgraded, adaptive interconnected signal upgrade(3 miles) | TSMO | $0.36 | wireless interconnect, 6 -20 signals suburban, adaptive |
| 10010 | Kenton | I-71/75 | Ohio River to I-275 | TSMO Corridor 5 (7.0 miles) | TSMO | $11.00 | fiber, DMS, minor shoulder pavement, cameras, poles, power |
| 10011 | Kenton | I-275 | I-71/75 to Combs-Hehl Bridge | TSMO Corridor 6 (10.0 miles) | TSMO | $15.70 | fiber, DMS, minor shoulder pavement, cameras, poles, power |
| 10012 | Campbell | I-471 | I-275 to Ohio River | TSMO Corridor 7 (5.6 miles) | TSMO | $8.80 | fiber, DMS, minor shoulder pavement, cameras, poles, power |
| 10009 | Hamilton | US 27 (Colerain Ave) | Struble Rd to Blue Rock Rd | TSMO Corridor 8 (4.6 miles) | TSMO | $0.61 | Interconnected and adaptive signal upgrade 4.6 miles |
| 9954 | Hamilton | I-71 | McMillan Ave to I-275 | TSMO Corridor 9 - (14.5 miles) Smart lane | TSMO | $22.80 | HSR, fiber, DMS, cameras, poles, power. (14.5 miles) |
| 10090 | Warren | I-71 | I-275 to SR 48 | TSMO Corridor 10 (11 miles) | TSMO +lane | $17.27 | fiber, DMS minor shoulder pavement, cameras, poles, power |
| 9955 | Hamilton | I-275 | US 42 to Loveland Madeira | TSMO Corridor 11 | TSMO + lane | $42.00 | Implement smart lane and add thru lanes from US-42 to Loveland Madeira |
| 9956 | Clermont | I-275 | Loveland Madeira to SR-28 | TSMO Corridor 12 | TSMO + lane | $55.70 | Implement smart lane and add thru lanes from Loveland Madeira to SR-28, including widening of bridge over Little Miami River |