managing travel for planned special events - FHWA Operations ...

Table 4-15Planned Special Event Technology ApplicationsITEM FUNCTIONS DEPLOYMENT APPLICATION BENEFITDetectorsClosed-CircuitTelevision(CCTV)TransportationManagementCenter (TMC)TrafficManagementTrafficManagementTraffic andTransportationManagementPermanent – infield.Portable – ontrailers for temporarydeployment.Permanent – infield.Portable – ontrailers or permanentstructuresfor temporarydeployment.Permanent.Portable – in mobiletrailer or van.Virtual – a singleperson connectedto the centralsystems from anyremote location.• Provides the managers at theTransportation ManagementCenter (TMC) with reliable,real-time information on conditionsin the field.• Collects various data, but themost common are vehicular ortravel speed, volume and occupancy.• Includes inductance loop detectorsand infrared or ultrasonicdetectors placed in, over, or besidethe highway.• Uses portable detection systemsinstalled on trailers that allowfor locating the technology anywherein the event area thatmanagers want to survey.• Consists of one of the oldest andmost reliable methods of surveyingthe network in real-time.• Uses cameras installed in thefield to monitor conditions inreal time.• Allows systems to be locatedtemporarily for the event usingtrailer-mounted rigs.• Whether permanent or portable,provides managers at the TMCwith real-time video of conditionson the highway, allowingthem to adapt their plans accordingly.• Serves as the nerve center wherethe event managers from variousdisciplines, transportation andother, work together to ensureclose coordination.• Often includes a “situationroom” where the event managerswork, all the time being in contactwith the control room.• Utilizes many technologicaltools at the TMC including: (1)map displays showing real-timetraffic and transit conditions, (2)video display walls, (3) changeablemessage sign, (4) closedcircuittelevision control systems,(5) telephone and radiocommunications to communi-• Provides a status ofreal-time traffic conditionson the highwayto managers sothey may adapt theirplans as conditionswarrant.• Provides managersinstant informationon the status of thehighway, transit station,or pedestrianmall to managers toallow them to reactquickly to issues,thereby minimizingimpacts to users.• Provides a singlelocation where allthe managers of theagencies involvedwith the specialevent can work faceto-faceand be ableto communicate withtheir respective operatorsand field personnel.4EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW4-27