Transportation Management Center Concepts of Operations

Fleet ManagementFleet management includes the monitoring and active management of a groupof vehicles operating on the roadway or rail network. The most commoncomponent is vehicle location monitoring, either automatically (via automaticvehicle location technology) or manually (by radio contact with the vehicleoperator), from which schedule adherence and vehicle headways can bedetermined. Active response to these parameters could include altering theduration of one or more vehicle stops, or activation of traffic signal priority.Automated train control technology actively manages vehicle headway in realtime by:• Managing railcar departures at route starts• Adjusting station stop times• Regulating vehicle speed• Inducing stops enroute• Routing railcars alternately, based on track activities, track conditions, or otherrelevant factors.Additional information which may be received by the fleet management centerincludes various vehicle status information (engine temperature, oil pressure,etc.), passenger activity information (embarkations and debarkations), and faredata. In some cases, video may be transmitted from the vehicle to the center asan element of passenger security, as may a “mayday” signal from the vehicleoperator. The information provided by the vehicle operator by voice (radio) tothe center is relatively unrestricted, and often includes vehicle, passenger,operator, and traffic condition information. Actions by the TMC in response tothese types of information could include dispatch of assistance resources, areplacement vehicle or operator, an additional or larger vehicle if loads exceedthe current vehicle capacity.Traffic Signal ControlTraffic control consists of monitoring and responding to traffic flow on thesignalized roadways and to the condition of the traffic signal network. The TMCmay adjust signal timing plans (either directly by altering the plan currently inoperation, by activating an existing alternate plan, or by uploading andactivating an alternate plan), or may change the mode of operation of one ormore signals (to flash, actuated operation, or fixed-time operation). The TMCmay also dispatch maintenance resources to address signal system problems ormay request dispatch of law enforcement to direct traffic if signals at anintersection becomes inoperable. The TMC may also attempt to restart orcorrect faults in the signal system or with the communication with the signalsystem. If the signal center has appropriate assets, it may also perform incidentmanagement, and may provide traveler information to travelers on theroadways under its jurisdiction.2-6