Summary State DOT Practices for Developing and Implementing TSMO Plans (2021)

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

4 Introduction Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) was defined in the 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) funding authorization and bill as “integrated strategies to optimize the performance of existing infrastructure through the implementation of multimodal and intermodal, cross-jurisdictional systems, services, and projects designed to preserve capacity and improve security, safety, and reliability of the trans- portation system” (Atkins et al. 2019a). These strategies can be applied at various levels within a transportation network and can be integrated into a broad range of efforts, including safety, capacity, and preservation projects. Moreover, TSMO programs are frequently complex and cross jurisdictional boundaries, involving traditional state departments of transportation (DOTs), local DOTs, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) along with disruptive technology markets. A TSMO program includes elements of operations, planning, design, construction, mainte- nance, and safety, regardless of whether it is led by the state DOT or a regional entity. Encom- passing these activities and elements, it can help agencies achieve a variety of benefits, including safer travel, more free time for travelers, improved reliability of the network, reduced fuel consumption, and cleaner air (Clark et al. 2017). TSMO programs can also deliver improve- ments to business processes carried out across these traditional departments. Whether led by state DOTs or MPOs, TSMO programs involve interagency agreements and response plans to address identified mobility challenges in the region. As a result, they draw on multiple wells of expertise, which in the initial stages of development pose organizational challenges and require consistent upkeep to effectively administer comprehensive solutions. In recent years, TSMO strategic and planning documents have rapidly emerged as a tool for state DOTs and their partners to optimize their networks. With the acceleration of this trend, more DOTs need information and guidance on developing statewide and regional TSMO plans. The rest of this chapter is organized as follows: a description of the synthesis objec- tives, synthesis scope and study approach; terminology; and report organization. Synthesis Objectives, Scope, and Study Approach The primary objective of this synthesis was to document practices for the development and implementation of state DOT statewide and regional TSMO plans. This study provides insight into TSMO planning methods in use by state DOTs across the United States. Mirroring their broad scope, TSMO plans have incorporated a diversity of strategic, programmatic, and tactical elements. This report documents the different directions state DOTs and MPOs take in how they develop and maintain statewide and regional TSMO plans. C H A P T E R 1

Introduction 5   The scope of this synthesis is limited to the following items: • Whether state TSMO plans are regional and/or statewide strategic plans, • How TSMO plans were developed, • How TSMO plans were implemented, • How TSMO plans align with other DOT plans, • Who led the effort to develop TSMO plans and what stakeholders were involved, • Key components of TSMO plans, • When TSMO plans were adopted and how TSMO plans have evolved, • Methods for monitoring the implementation of TSMO plans, • Approaches to updating and/or maintaining TSMO plans, • Impacts and benefits from plan implementation, and • Challenges and lessons learned from plan development and implementation. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 20-05/Topic 51-15 gathered information on the development and implementation of TSMO plans from state DOTs and MPOs. This study, conducted in three parts, sought to develop an overview of the current state of TSMO plan development and methodology. First, a literature review using systematic review methodology revealed theoretical and practical information on how state DOTs incorporate the various aspects of TSMO both within planning functions of the depart- ment and as a concise and separate document for programmatic use and coordination with external TSMO partners going forward. The systematic review examined all available TSMO plans published by state DOTs and supporting information from TSMO-oriented publications and practical reports. The systematic review process ensured a comprehensive assessment of all available information on the subject and provided a base for the other parts of the study. Researchers examined approximately 81 references, selecting 28 for the literature analysis. Second, a survey was developed and distributed to state DOTs and stakeholders engaged in planning for TSMO to understand the extent to which TSMO plans are being developed and implemented, and to see related challenges and opportunities from a programmatic perspective. Researchers collected 40 survey responses. Third, eight (five state and three regional) case examples were developed to gather insight into agency perspectives on TSMO plan development. Terminology Researchers found many common terms applied in the topic area of TSMO planning. This section defines these terms for use across the rest of the report. These terms, which are used throughout the remainder of this report, are provided in Table 1. Organization of Report The findings and discussion presented herein reflect the summary of a literature review, the results of the questionnaire, and follow-up interviews. The recommendations are limited to suggestions for future research. The report has the following five chapters and four appendices, in addition to a list of references and resources and a list of abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms: • Chapter 1 presents the synthesis background, scope and objectives, method, terminology, and report organization. • Chapter 2 provides the literature review of the issues related to the practices state DOTs use in the development and implementation of TSMO plans as well as documented state DOT TSMO policies and practices.

6 Summary State DOT Practices for Developing and Implementing TSMO Plans Term Definition Capability Maturity Model (CMM) A methodology applying a four-level evolutionary path of increasingly organized and systematically more mature processes used to measure and refine an organization's TSMO program development process. Incident An unplanned randomly occurring traffic event that adversely affects normal traffic operations. Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) The operational coordination of multiple transportation networks and cross- network connections comprising a corridor, and the coordination of institutions responsible for corridor mobility. The goal of ICM is to improve mobility, safety, and other transportation objectives for travelers and goods. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) The application of advanced electronics, computers, communications, and sensor technologies – in an integrated manner – to increase the efficiency and safety of the surface transportation network. ITS Architecture A framework within which interrelated systems can be built that work together to deliver transportation services. Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) A document resulting from regional or statewide collaboration and consensus on a region’s or state's transportation system, and serving as the defining vision for the region's or state's transportation systems and services. Multimodal The availability of transportation options using different travel modes (bike, pedestrian, transit, roadways, and micromobility options) within a system or corridor. Objectives Specific, measurable statements related to the attainment of goals. Performance Measurement A process of assessing progress toward achieving predetermined goals. Planning for Operations A set of activities that takes place within the context of an agency, jurisdiction, and/or regional entity with the intent of establishing and carrying out plans, policies, and procedures that enable and improve the management and operation of transportation systems. Program A coordinated, interrelated set of strategies, procedures, and activities intended to meet the goals and objectives articulated in vision statements and policies. May also have distinct and separate funding for eligible activities. Reliability The degree of certainty and predictability in travel times on the transportation system. Reliable transportation systems offer some assurance of attaining a given destination within a reasonable range of an expected time. An unreliable transportation system is subject to unexpected delays, increasing costs for system users. Stakeholder A person or group affected by a transportation plan, program or project. A person or group believing that they are affected by a transportation plan, program or project. Residents of affected geographical areas. Traffic Incident Management (TIM) The systematic, planned, and coordinated use of human, institutional, electrical, mechanical, and technical resources to reduce the duration and impact of incidents, and improve the safety of motorists, crash victims, and incident responders. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) A prioritized listing/program of transportation projects covering a period of 4 years that is developed and formally adopted by an MPO as part of the metropolitan transportation planning process. Transportation Management Center (TMC) The hub of a transportation management and control system. The TMC brings together human and technological components from various agencies to perform a variety of functions. TMCs may deal with freeway traffic management, surface street traffic management, transit management or some combination of these functions. Also known as traffic management center. TSMO An integrated program to optimize the performance of existing infrastructure through the implementation of systems, services, and projects designed to preserve capacity and improve the security, safety, and reliability of the transportation system. TSMO Programmatic Plan A programmatic plan indicates how the TSMO program is carried out, from a leadership and organizational perspective. It provides details on objective- based action items to optimize TSMO within the state DOT or regional agency responsible for carrying out the regional TSMO plan. TSMO Strategic Plan A strategic plan that defines why TSMO programs operate, focused on developing a vision, goals, needs, and objectives for the TSMO program to pursue. TSMO Tactical Plan A tactical plan provides a catalogue of TSMO services, function areas, and the specific process for the prioritization of TSMO projects through performance measures and benefit analysis. Source: NOCoE 2020. Table 1. Terminology related to TSMO.

Introduction 7   • Chapter 3 summarizes the state-of-the-practice survey responses. • Chapter 4 presents the case study examples of successful development and implementation of TSMO plans. • Chapter 5 concludes with a summary of the overall findings and suggested research to advance the state of the art and practice, followed by References and Resources. • Appendix A presents the survey questionnaire. • Appendix B is a list of the survey respondents. • Appendix C presents the survey results. • Appendix D contains the summary of an assessment of TSMO program plans in use in state DOTs and select MPOs across the country.