CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS IN HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA

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1 CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS IN HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA Presented by: Camelia Ravanbakht, Ph.D. Deputy Executive Director Presented to: Transportation Research Board Statewide and Metropolitan Transportation Planning Conference September 4th, 2008

2 THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION Located in SE Virginia 10 cities and 6 counties, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg Over 1.6 million residents Economy driven by ports, military, and tourism 2

3 THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION Regional transportation system affected by many factors 4-lane tunnel facilities carry over 100,000 vehicles/day Many drawbridges Ports produce high truck volumes Traffic fluctuates greatly due to tourist volumes and military deployments 3

4 PRESENTATION OUTLINE CMP in Hampton Roads Regional Concept of Transportation Operations (RCTO) Upcoming CMP Update Governmental Cooperation CMP and Project Selection Barriers and Obstacles Advice 4

5 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS Hampton Roads CMP network Includes all minor arterials and above, and selected collectors Over 1,500 centerline miles/1,600 segments Includes 85% of all regional travel CMP network = Long Range Planning network Allows for connectivity between the Congestion Management Process and the Long Range Planning Process 5

6 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS CMP database includes various traffic characteristics for each roadway segment Weekday volumes (existing, historical, future) Roadway characteristics AADT & AAWDT Travel time data Peak hour data GIS data Truck data LOS CMP Data is frequently provided to other jurisdictions, various businesses, the media, etc. 6

7 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS CMP Technical Report Congestion analysis Segment level of service (LOS) AM and PM peak hour, existing and future Additional analysis for major bridges/tunnels 7

8 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS CMP Technical Report Congestion mitigation strategies and evaluation Recommended congestion management strategies for those congested locations without funded improvements 8

9 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS State of Transportation Report Summary of regional transportation trends from all modes Less technical, more graphical Designed to be used by planners, decision makers, and the public 9

10 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS CMP Special Report Glossy report for mass distribution Thousands of copies distributed at public meetings and mailed to members of HRPDC s distribution list (civic leagues, churches, libraries, public and private sector, etc.) 10

11 CMP IN HAMPTON ROADS Other CMP products Regional Safety Study General crash data and trends Interstate/Intersection crashes Crash countermeasures Travel Time/Delay Study Travel time contours to various activity centers Changes in regional delay Corridor/subarea studies Transit and TDM studies 11

12 RCTO RCTO Definition A Regional Concept of Transportation Operations (RCTO) contains the shared regional objective for transportation operations and what is needed to achieve that objective physical improvements, relationships and procedures, and resource arrangements. Developing an RCTO helps agencies think through and reach consensus on what they want to achieve in the next 3 to 5 years and how they are going to get there. Developing an RCTO provides/strengthens the linkage between regional planners and managers responsible for transportation operations. 12

13 RCTO Motivation High profile incidents at bridges/tunnels cause major delays MPO board requested that MPO staff and VDOT find ways to improve incident management 13

14 RCTO Guiding Principles Broaden operational cooperation Elevate Quick Clearance principles Expand and enhance existing MOUs Reduce congestion caused by crashes and disabled vehicles Performance Measures Crash rates Responder safety Incident duration Number of primary and secondary incidents Diversion response 14

15 RCTO RCTO Accomplishments To Date One of four demonstration sites nationwide Expanded ITS/operations stakeholders Created RCTO Working Group MPO, VDOT, Police, Fire & Rescue, Engineers & Planners, HazMat, etc. Developed RCTO charter Secured CMAQ funding Conducted collaborative activities Classes, workshops, peer-to-peer exchanges, post-incident review meetings Produced RCTO document 15

16 UPCOMING CMP UPDATE More emphasis on non-roadway factors, such as land use, transit, TDM, bike and pedestrian facilities, and ITS/operations. Prioritize CMP corridors based on more factors than just congestion levels. Safety, freight, travel speeds, traffic density More emphasis on evaluating various strategies for CMP High Priority Corridors. Use software packages such as DYNASMART-P to evaluate strategies 16

17 GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION CMS Task Force used for initial report Made up of representatives from local government, transit services, VDOT, FHWA, and ports. Raw transportation data is largely received from VDOT and localities. HRMPO review of data for the CMP helps VDOT improve their traffic monitoring program. Project Selection Process 17

18 CMP AND PROJECT SELECTION Results used in CMAQ/RSTP project selection process Approved projects are incorporated into the Long Range Plan and Transportation Improvement Program 18

19 BARRIERS AND OBSTACLES Data availability Much improved in recent years with VDOT s Traffic Monitoring Program. Would still like to have reliable travel speed data for the entire network. Lack of federal guidance Addressed by CMP Guidebook Staff resources 19

20 ADVICE Establish a Technical Task Force Integrate into the Transportation Planning Process Start small, baby steps Expand each iteration 20

21 For more information: Camelia Ravanbakht, Ph.D. Deputy Executive Director Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization 723 Woodlake Drive Chesapeake, Virginia