Plan Helps LA s ExpressLanes Meet Expectations Presented by: Ken Wissel ITE Western District 2013 Annual Meeting
Los Angeles Traffic LA drivers know traffic congestion 10 million + residents in LA County Complex: LAX, ports Most congested urban area in the US Managed by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) California Highway Patrol (CHP) for incidents Traffic incidents increasing Rush hour: mornings 5 to 9 AM, evenings 4 to 7 PM 86% of peak period vehicle miles are congested
ExpressLanes: Pilot Program Offers Assistance I 10 and I 110 highways: key transportation corridors to and from downtown Formerly had HOV lanes April 2008 USDOT agreement with Metro and Caltrans $210.6 million grant to convert existing HOV lanes to dynamically priced high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes Congestion pricing pilot project: ExpressLanes
ExpressLanes: Pilot Program Offers Assistance One year demonstration program Operated by Xerox (part of Atkinson design build operatemaintain contractor team) I 110 Harbor Transitway: converted 11 miles of HOV to HOT starting Nov. 10, 2012 I 10 El Monte Busway: converted 14 miles of HOV to HOT Feb. 23, 2013 Uses congestion pricing to improve traffic flow Allows single occupancy vehicles to use HOT lane capacity by paying toll
Congestion Pricing Requires Effective Incident Management Minimum 45 mph during 90% of peak periods Toll charged Speed drops below 45 mph SigAlert Toll credited Must manage incidents effectively
Traffic Incident Management Plan (TIMP) TIMP: Operational guide to managing incidents Regular review and practice + = Increased safety for responders and motorists
Creating a Living Document Collaboration among responders and stakeholders Continued input during ExpressLanes operations
Stakeholder Roles During Incidents Metro Caltrans CHP Runs 2,200+ buses in LA County Trains bus operators not to block ExpressLanes Establishes uniform strategy to manage disabled buses Operates Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center (LARTMC) with CHP Assists in incident response and detours Designated Incident Commander Dispatches patrol officers and contacts FSP FSP Assists motorists Clears incidents quickly (within 10 minutes if possible) DBOM Contractor (Xerox) Toll system operator (TSO) monitors system Checks for traffic incidents and notifies CHP / Caltrans Controls dynamic message signs
Communication is Vital Communication incorporated early in process Meetings with stakeholders and responders Agencies learn about each other s operations Incident occurs Safer, more efficient response All parties understand each other s roles and they all are owners of the TIMP
TIMP is a Living Document Occurrence Mitigation Modification and Improvement Changes Review
Incident Occurrence Spurs Changes Incidents on I 110 (Nov. May): 187 total 126 minor 53 intermediate 8 major Incidents on I 10 (Feb. May): 62 total 13 minor 29 intermediate 20 major TIMP continually refined, procedures modified Debrief protocol
Communication is Key Each agency uses assigned communication methodology with standardized procedures to communicate with LARTMC LARTMC makes sure to communicate incident information to each involved agency Multiple agencies are made aware of ongoing incident Timely, accurate, and coordinated response Increased efficiency, safety, and speed of response
Operational TIMP gives ExpressLanes best chance of success