Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time ...

SHRP 2 L11: Final Report
Information Collection and Dissemination
Agencies need to know how the system is performing and can benefit from access to real-time
information that would allow them to detect and respond to reliability problems. Data feedback
allows agencies to select or adjust appropriate strategies to better manage the system.
Many of the services that are possible through arterial and freeway management systems are
enabled by traffic surveillance and detection strategies, such as sensors or cameras that monitor
traffic flow. These strategies relate to both information collection and information dissemination
as follows:
• Information collection includes traffic-data collection (speed, flow, incidents, etc.) as well
as demand-related data collection (traveler preferences and perceptions, route choice, and
mode choice.). Such strategies would also include traveler satisfaction and preferences
surveys.
• Information dissemination relates to projected and real-time traveler information. These
strategies might include work zone closure information, planned special events, real-time
incident information, projected travel times, and real-time bus location. They may also
include information required by important stakeholders such as freight companies, airports,
rail, and ports.
Table 6.3 provides a summary of the key strategies and the examples presented in this section. The
possible impact on reliability, strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats, the level of technology
involved with each strategy application, and the possible application to the sources of congestion
are noted.
The challenge is to encourage the public sector to open the doors to new information technologies,
to become more service- and market-oriented, and to collaborate with the private sector so that the
benefits of the public and private information systems are achieved. Information technologies are
available today and are rapidly expanding because there is market demand for them. Travelers and
transportation managers can access better information regarding current and predicted
transportation system performance. This gives travelers travel options and the ability to choose
among them. This will result in better system performance.
OPERATIONS STRATEGIES AND TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE TRAVEL-TIME RELIABILITY Page 66