Maximizing Transportation Efficiency with Intelligent Systems

1. Transforming Transportation: The Role of Intelligent Transportation Systems Matthew J. Schiemer, PE August 18, 2011

2. Why ITS? • To save “lives, time and money” in the transportation field, we must look beyond the traditional infrastructure construction and maintenance model we’ve followed for 80+ years. • Focus on the operation of roadways and transit systems. • Think about airport operation. • ITS is one of the most important tools in the operations toolbox. • ITS involves the application of advanced technologies to transportation. • Compared with traditional infrastructure, the cost of ITS is low and the B/C ratio is high. • Remember: the focus should be on Operations.

3. The Case for Traffic Operations / ITS • “We Can’t Build Our Way Out of Congestion” Source: USDOT/FHWA

4. Typical ITS Benefits and B/C Ratios • Fewer accidents • Fewer secondary accidents • Decreased accident severity • Fewer injuries and less severe injuries • Reduction in fatalities • Less delay and stops • Reduced travel times • Less travel time variability • Increased traveler satisfaction • Travel demand management • Reduced fuel consumption • Reduced emissions • Increased system capacity • Support economic development • Lower O&M costs • Fewer accidents • Less infrastructure damage • Fewer overweight vehicles • Reduced transit costs Typical B/C Ratios of 10:1 to 40:1

5. ITS Benefits and Costs Resources • US DOT – ITS Joint Program Office – Knowledge Resources • Benefits, costs, lessons learned, etc. http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov/its/itsbcllwebpage.nsf/krhomepage • International Benefits, Evaluation and Costs (IBEC) Working Group • Representatives from 40 countries http://www.ibec-its.co.uk/

6. Operations Performance Measures “You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure” • We can not expect to meet our goals and successfully manage (operate) the transportation network if we are not measuring performance. • Well-designed performance measures help us to determine if our actions are helping us meet our goals, achieve expected benefits and to: • Set policy • Allocate resources • Choose between options • Report on results • Reveal problems and areas for improvement

7. Operations Performance Measures • Incident Duration • Incident detection time • Incident response time • Incident clearance time • Incident recovery time • Travel Times and Delay • Travel Time Reliability (Variability) • Toll Plaza Delay • Accident and Fatality Rates (primary and secondary accidents)

8. Operations Performance Measures • Provision of Traveler Information • ITS Field Device Coverage, Availability and Information Quality • Phone and Web (511) Coverage, Availability and Info Quality • User Satisfaction (Surveys) • Traveler Information Quality and Relevance (DMS, HAR, 511) • Device Type Preference and Usage (DMS –vs- HAR) • Overall Satisfaction with Range of Services (FSP, EZ-Pass, etc). • ITS System Performance • Availability (up-time) of ITS Field Devices and Systems • Accuracy of data and properly calibrated devices and systems • Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair

9. Operations Performance Measures Resources • US DOT – Office of Operations • Operations Performance Measurement Program • Extensive information and external links http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/perf_measurement/index.htm • Florida DOT Mobility Performance Measures Program http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/statistics/mobilitymeasures/ • Washington State DOT Accountability and Performance • Gray Notebook http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/accountability/default.htm

10. Keys to Success of an ITS Project or Program • Technical • Political • Institutional • Legal • Financial • Public and private • sector solutions/PPP

11. Contact Information Matthew J. Schiemer, PE Vice President - ITS Gannett Fleming, Inc. Tel: (512) 833-9377 Cell: (512) 417-6257 Email: mschiemer@gfnet.com