Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time ...

SHRP 2 L11: Final Report
• Dynamic Routing integrated with ridership programs
• Multi-modal travel options with cost and time info
With future pricing strategies, the transportation system will likely see full integration of
transportation options across mode, time, and space. Similar to deciding on what to have for
breakfast in the morning, commuters will have the option to choose the most-efficient or costeffective
travel option in real time after considering total travel time and cost across various modes
of travel. The price that users pay will directly reflect the true costs associated with the selected
travel mode. As such, user choices will provide insight on market preferences while system usage
will provide a continuous stream of revenue to support the program and innovation. Therefore,
unlike today, the price of travel will be tied directly to the value of time as well as the value of
service received. For example, if a user wishes to drive at a certain time of day, the user will have
information about the time it would take to complete that trip and the associated cost. The system
will also provide cost and travel-time information for different times of the day. With user
knowledge about the true cost of travel by mode, time, and space, demand will likely be more even
across the day, which would support better system reliability.
An Overview of Future Travel Opportunities
Travelers will experience the advance of current applications in an integrated fashion in order to
improve operations. GPS will be used in conjunction with congestion pricing and tolling schemes.
As the manufacturing cost of GPS units decrease and their data communication capabilities with
dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) networks increase, agencies will be able to better
implement variable congestion pricing plans and also collect real-time information regarding
travel-time reliability. This information can then be displayed in DMSs and converted into
performance measures so that an analysis of the effectiveness of implemented operational
strategies can be evaluated.
Another existing technology that will have its application widespread is the Smart Cards and radio
frequency identification (RFID) tags. The market penetration for this technology will be a reality,
and privacy issues will be overcome. With that, electronic toll collection will make cash toll
booths disappear and result in less-disrupted traffic flow. In addition, accurate origin-destination
information will be available and better planning models will be developed. RFID tags will also
support better dynamic pricing strategies.
On the other end of technological innovations, the “telecommuting collaborative technologies”
will finally turn telecommuting into a practice part of major business activities. Videoconferencing
systems allied with the Next Generation of 100 GBs networks and high-speed
wireless networks (WIMAX) will provide superior video- and data-stream quality, regardless of
where employers are (at home; flying; in another city; etc.).
Microsensors and nanosensors will be part of infrastructure-monitoring programs. Information
concerning bridge and pavement conditions will be fed to agencies, which will allow them to
better manage construction and rehabilitation projects. Also, the development of innovative
practices in construction techniques and development of faster-curing pavement (such as the rapid
curing concrete) will reduce the work-zone disruptions to traffic flow. Regarding weather, heated
roadway surfaces (particularly through the use of solar energy) could prevent the accumulation of
snow or reduce the effects of snowfall on traffic flow.
Automated cars and highway systems are other concepts that have been around for decades but
have never taken off. With the advances in research of Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII)
applications and DSRC networks, these concepts have gained a new boost. One of the main
OPERATIONS STRATEGIES AND TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE TRAVEL-TIME RELIABILITY Page 90