RITA | ITS | Integrated Corridor Management Initiative Program Plan

1. Background

Traffic congestion is a serious and growing problem in the U.S., particularly in major metropolitan areas. Much of the congestion is in critical metropolitan corridors that link activity centers and carry high volumes of people and goods. These corridors are typically comprised of several independent transportation networks, such as freeways, arterials, bus routes, and rail transit lines. Freeway and arterial networks are often subject to unrestrained demands significantly greater than available capacity. Capacity is often reduced at bottleneck locations, such as major interchanges and bridges. Transit buses operating on congested arterials and freeways are typically delayed in traffic along with other vehicles on the roadway.

The current state-of-the-practice in corridor management is highly disaggregated. To date, efforts to reduce congestion have focused on managing transportation networks within corridors individually. The ability to shift travel demands between facilities and modes (i.e., networks[1]) during traffic incidents, roadway work zone activity, adverse weather, or simply unusually large traffic demands is severely hampered by lack of information about current conditions and lack of standardized technical means for sharing that information. The lack of institutional collaboration and coordination and the lack of integrated operational strategies and procedures further impede optimizing the performance of the corridor. The state-of-the-practice is far from the state-of-the-art. ITS methods that are available to address corridor management are not widely deployed. To achieve effective corridor management, much work needs to be done on advancing the state-of-the-practice in institutional, operational, and technical integration.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) recently began the Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Initiative to improve safety and mobility within corridors, and to advance the development and deployment of ICM systems throughout the United States. The ICM Initiative is the only one of the nine ITS Program Tier I Initiatives that directly addresses congestion.

2. Concept

Integrated corridor management is defined as consisting of the operational coordination of specific transportation networks and cross-network connections comprising a corridor, and the coordination of institutions responsible for corridor mobility. ICM will improve mobility, safety, and other transportation objectives for travelers and goods. The integrated corridor must have the capability of being managed. In addition, for the purposes of this initiative, a corridor is defined as a largely linear geographic band in a metropolitan region defined by existing and forecasted travel patterns involving both people and goods. The corridor serves a particular travel market or markets that are affected by similar transportation needs and mobility issues. The corridor includes various networks (e.g., limited access facility, surface arterial(s), transit, bicycle, pedestrian pathway, and waterway) that provide similar or complementary transportation function. Additionally, the corridor includes cross-network connections that permit the individual networks to be readily accessible from each other.

The key to managing corridors effectively is achieving integration among the operations of different networks in the corridor. As stated earlier, efforts to reduce congestion have mainly focused on the optimization of individual networks. Each network is usually operated in isolation except for limited coordination at network junctions. This lack of coordinated operations between networks prevents effective use of a combination of these networks to address recurring and non-recurring congestion. A coordinated effort between networks along a corridor can effectively manage the total capacity of a corridor in a way that will result in reduced congestion and increased trip reliability.

3. Program Vision

Metropolitan areas will realize significant improvements in the efficient movement of people and goods through aggressive and proactive integration and management of major transportation corridors. Integrated corridor management will result in a reduction in travel times, delays, fuel consumption, emissions, and incidents, and an increase in reliability and predictability of travel.

4. Program Goal

The goal of the ICM Initiative is to develop and provide the institutional guidance, operational capabilities, and ITS technical methods needed for effective integrated corridor management.

5. Program Purpose

The initiative will demonstrate how transportation operations strategies and ITS technologies can be used to efficiently and proactively manage the movement of people and goods in major transportation corridors through integration of the operations of the networks in a corridor. This initiative will develop a toolbox of operational policies, cross-network operational strategies, integration requirements and methods, and analysis tools needed to implement effective integrated corridor management. As a part of this effort, the U.S. DOT will select several metropolitan corridor sites to perform ICM analyses, modeling, and simulations in the corridors. The U.S. DOT will also conduct one or more demonstration projects in selected metropolitan corridors to demonstrate the coordination of operations among separate corridor networks, using proven and emerging ITS technologies, to increase the effective use of the total corridor capacity.

6. Achieving Integration

Implementing successful corridor management requires the understanding of institutional, operational, and technical integration issues. It also requires the collaborative and coordinated efforts of multiple organizations in applying integrated operational strategies and technologies. Figure 1 shows the fundamental elements that need to be integrated for conducting corridor management.

Figure 1 Fundamental Elements of an Integrated Corridor Management

6.1. Institutional Integration

One of the chief obstacles to effective corridor management is the current institutional strategies and policies that allocate responsibility for corridor networks to different entities. In most instances the networks that serve a corridor are currently operated by separate jurisdictional entities. Typically, freeway networks are operated by a state transportation agency and enforcement is carried out by the state police. The arterial networks are operated by the various jurisdictions along the length of the corridor. Transportation management and enforcement duties at the arterial level are split between different jurisdictional units. Transit service in a corridor is typically provided by a regional authority, a jurisdictional-based entity, or some combination.

Freeway management entities, arterial management entities, and transit agencies in metropolitan areas have each implemented separate technology-based management systems that support their individual networks. Thus, each entity has its own management system that supports the distribution of responsibilities and control of the system within its network. In most cases, cross-network management of different networks within a corridor is done manually. Although sometimes the entities themselves may want to collaborate-such as is currently done by Houston's TransStar, which co-locates the entities that control the various transportation networks-existing systems are typically not integrated such that the entities can distribute responsibilities and share control. Current management systems do not prohibit corridor management; however, the separate network-based systems do present institutional coordination challenges that need to be addressed.

The ICM Initiative will study the integration of transportation management systems in supporting the integrated operations of various institutions in a corridor. Different alternatives for shared operations management and the systems integration to support the operations management will be analyzed and documented. Guidance documents concerning the distribution of responsibilities and sharing of control between management systems to institutionally support integrated corridor operations will be developed and promulgated.

6.2. Operational Integration

Operationally, there is a lack of specific knowledge concerning how ITS technologies and operational strategies can be utilized to support effective integrated corridor operations. Operational scenarios such as signal timing coordination in conjunction with ramp metering using National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP) standards-conformant equipment need to be investigated. Other strategies that coordinate freeway, arterial, and transit operations need to be studied to identify which ITS technologies and strategies can be combined most effectively to improve corridor operations. Will setting a freeway variable speed limit in conjunction with ramp metering and signal timing on adjacent arterials assist in mitigating the impact of a major corridor freeway incident? How will transit signal priority affect a signal and ramp meter pair? Where and how should coordinated managed lanes on freeways and arterials be implemented? How widely should high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes be implemented to achieve the most efficient use of corridor capacity?

The limited state-of-the-practice concerning coordinated operations stems from a lack of detailed knowledge concerning operating strategies, and a lack of analytical capability to choose the best strategies for a particular corridor. The ITS technology and operational strategy building blocks for corridor management do exist. The results of coordinating these building blocks in a particular corridor need to be demonstrated and documented.

Operational integration is the foundation upon which institutional and technical integration must build. The ICM Initiative will identify and develop operational strategies by which individual ITS technologies such as ramp meters, advanced traffic control, variable speed limit signs, and parking notification can be operationally integrated at a corridor level. Analysis and evaluation tools will be developed to support strategy development and selection. Guidance will be provided to practitioners so that they can conduct a corridor resource and component inventory and use this information to identify what capabilities they have in a corridor and what capabilities are needed to implement various corridor operational approaches. The analysis of corridor operational strategies will include the study of ITS supply and demand management practices and what can be done at the junctions of corridor networks. Junctions, or interfaces, are the transfer points between networks, such as a freeway ramp.

6.3. Technical Integration

The third major obstacle to effective corridor capacity utilization is a lack of knowledge and capability concerning the technical integration of system operations at a corridor level. Arterial systems, freeway systems, and transit systems have been deployed and are integrated within their individual networks; however, cross-network coordination along a corridor has not been a priority. A lack of standards for sharing data and control has, until recently, been a major obstacle to effective technical integration.

The ITS standards and strategies needed for effective technical integration exist (or are in development and nearing completion), but have not been widely deployed. These ITS standards and strategies are key to effective operational and institutional integration. Without a means to effectively share data and control, operations cannot be integrated even if the institutional integration is robust.

In this area, the program will concentrate on the integration of systems, data, communications, and control at a corridor level. For example, ramp meters and adjacent traffic signals could be coordinated to adjust ramp meters and signals to accommodate demand. The linking of these systems will need to be location-specific and will require new integrated operations processing techniques and new data and communication interfaces. Generic system interfaces between corridor management components will be developed to support and advance implementation activities. Tools to assist in the identification and analysis of systems integration requirements will also be developed.

7. ICM Initiative Approach

This section describes the ICM initiative approach including the following items:

Overview - summarizing the ICM Phases, their objectives, and other supporting activities
Program Phases - detailing the specific activities and deliverables in four phases
Standards Completion and Deployment - describing ITS standards activities for ICM

7.1. Overview

Integrated corridor management will increase mobility and safety in major transportation corridors through institutional, operational, and technical integration. It will result in reduced travel times, delays, fuel consumption, emissions, and incidents, and increased reliability and predictability of travel. This initiative will address institutional, operational, and technical barriers to successful corridor management.

The ICM Initiative will collaborate and coordinate with multiple organizations and program areas within the U.S. DOT. A core team of DOT representatives has been formed to provide program management, technical guidance, and oversight throughout the program. The ICM core team is comprised of:

The ICM Initiative ITS JPO Coordinator;
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Technical Lead;
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Technical Lead; and
Other partners from the FHWA and FTA.

There are four phases in the ICM initiative approach that delineate the functional activities. The initiative also includes three go or no-go decision points to achieve the intended program goals. The ICM Initiative will identify, test, revise, and deploy appropriate technologies and techniques within the context of a concept of operations. A generic concept of operations will be developed in Phase 1 with input and feedback from a multimodal stakeholder working group.

The first phase is Foundational Research, which is ongoing. The main objectives of this phase are to conduct foundation research to assess the feasibility of integrated corridor management, and to develop generic concept of operations and requirements that have the support of the stakeholders. As a part of this effort, a multimodal stakeholder working group was formed consisting of representatives from public and private sectors. The purpose of the stakeholder working group is to assist the ICM core team in understanding the institutional, operational, and technical integration needs and issues of integrated corridor management, and to provide input and feedback on major deliverables and various aspects of corridor management throughout the course of the initiative. The first U.S. DOT ITS Management Council decision point for this initiative, "Development Feasibility," is at the end of fiscal year 2005 corresponding to nearing the completion of Phase 1. The decision point has passed, and the U.S. DOT determined that the initiative should continue since there are sufficient benefits to warrant ICM development and the apparent ICM integration issues can be resolved.

The second phase is Corridor Tools, Strategies, and Integration. In this phase, alternative shared operations management schemes and cross-network operations strategies will be developed. Analytical tools and methods will be developed to enable the implementation and evaluation of integrated corridor management strategies. This phase also includes laboratory and limited field testing and evaluation of component integration interfaces and component operations of integrated corridor management. The resultant development of this phase will include the tools and components necessary to support ICM operations and to apply in one or more ICM site demonstrations. Furthermore, during Phase 2 the standards necessary to support the technical integration of corridor management data, communications, and control will be studied to determine if the standards need to be revised or expanded.

The third phase consists of Corridor Sites Concept Development, Site Operations Analysis and Evaluation, and Site Demonstrations. In the Corridor Sites Concept Development, Stage 1 of Phase 3, several Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will be selected for assessment of their capability to demonstrate integrated corridor management. Each Stage 1 Pioneer Site will develop its own site-specific concept of operations and requirements documents guided by the generic ICM concept of operations and requirements developed in Phase1. In the Site Operations Analysis and Evaluation stage, some of the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will be selected for analysis, modeling, and simulation (AMS) of ICM operations-Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites. In the Site Demonstrations, Stage 3, one or more of the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites or Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites will be selected as Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites to conduct an ICM demonstration project. The ICM demonstration project(s) will demonstrate the application of institutional, operational, and technical integration approaches in the field, and document implementation issues and operational benefits. The second decision point in the ICM Initiative, "Site Applications Feasibility," will likely occur in fiscal year 2008 after the Corridor Sites Concept Development stage and prior to the Site Operations Analysis and Evaluation stage. The third decision point, "Site Demonstrations Feasibility," will likely occur in fiscal year 2009 after the Operations Analysis and Evaluation stage and prior to the Site Demonstrations stage.

The fourth and final phase is Knowledge and Technology Transfer, which consists of two parts. The first part, ICM Operations Concept Knowledge and Technology Transfer, will take place prior to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites operations analysis and evaluation, and site demonstrations. It will be conducted to disseminate the knowledge gained from Phase 1 and much of Phase 2. The second part, ICM Implementation Knowledge and Technology Transfer, will take place during and after the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites operations analysis and evaluation, and site demonstration(s). These outreach activities will be conducted to provide guidance and to transfer the tools and technologies, developed in the site analyses, modeling and simulation activities, and demonstration(s), needed to support successful integrated corridor management strategies.

Figure 2 shows a high-level summary diagram (called the "Roadmap") of the ICM program.

Figure 2 High-Level Roadmap of the ICM Program

Some activities will occur throughout the length of the initiative. These include the development and revision of the ICM Initiative program plan, establishment and engagement of a multimodal stakeholder working group, and the completion and deployment of applicable ITS standards. A discussion of ITS standards activities is also included in the applicable sections of the ICM program phases. Figure 3, located at the end of this document, shows the mid-level roadmap of the initiative with the cross-cutting activities in the ICM program described below.

Develop and Revise ICM Program Plan

An ICM Program Plan (this document) describing the four-phased approach was developed and presented to the stakeholder working group in the early stages of the initiative. Feedback was solicited from stakeholders on the U.S DOT's program approach, and comments were incorporated. The ICM Program Plan will be revised throughout the initiative as necessary.

Establish and Engage a Multimodal Stakeholder Working Group

The ICM Initiative core team has established a multimodal stakeholder working group consisting of approximately 15-20 members. The working group was formed to provide the perspective of public sector operators and service providers, and to provide assistance to the ICM core team in providing input on key ICM aspects and issues, and in providing feedback on ICM program deliverables such as the ICM Initiative program plan and generic concept of operations. The working group will identify and assess key knowledge gaps and requirements, and review the planning and execution of outreach efforts. Meetings and workshops will be held to obtain input and direct participation in determining the direction of the program and context of program activities. Web-based collaboration will also be used to gather input. Several meetings have taken place to date.

The ICM core team identified the stakeholder working group members from various associations and agencies, balancing modal representation, public and private sectors, and bringing in geographic representation. Membership was solicited from the Transportation Research Board (TRB), American Public Transportation Association (APTA), American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), ITS America, FTA's Bus Rapid Transit Working Group, FHWA's Freeway Operations Working Group, Arterial Operations Working Group, National Transit Institute (NTI), State DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), 511 Policy Committee, and representatives from the private sector, such as equipment vendors and system integrators. In Phase 3, Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will be selected and representatives of those sites will be invited to join the stakeholder working group for the subsequent activities.

7.2. Program Phases

The major activities, products, and expected outcome of each of the four program phases are discussed below.

Phase 1: Foundational Research

Key goals of this phase, which is ongoing, are to conduct foundation research to assess the feasibility of integrated corridor management and to develop a generic concept of operations and requirements that have the support of the stakeholders. The generic concept of operations will be used to define specific needs that will be addressed by the initiative. A contractor has been selected by the U.S. DOT to conduct Phase 1 activities. Many of the Phase 1 activities are completed and others are still underway. Please see Figure 4, located at the end of this document, for a graphical illustration of Phase 1. Specific activities under this phase include the following:

Phase 1.1: Develop Generic ICM Concept

The purpose of this ongoing task is to assist the ICM core team in building consensus among stakeholders on the goals, system components, functions, requirements, and capabilities of integrated corridor management. It will communicate overall stakeholder needs. Three documents are being produced in this task: 1) a Generic Concept of Operations, 2) ICM Requirements, and 3) ICM Implementation Guide. These documents will be "living documents" that will be used throughout the lifecycle of the ICM Initiative.

Generic ICM Concept of Operations

This activity involves the development of a Generic Concept of Operations (ConOps) document for Integrated Corridor Management. Information such as the ICM vision, samples of concepts of operations documents, the ICM program plan, and definitions of corridors and integrated corridor management are being used as a basis for its development. The document is intended as a high-level concept of operations for a generic corridor, answering the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how for the application of ICM within a corridor. The document's primary purpose is to provide an example of an ICM ConOps that can be used by network operators as the basis for developing corridor-specific and real-world concept of operations. The document is intended as guidance and not as a template. It will identify important areas, features, and issues that must be addressed in any site-specific concept of operations for integrated corridor management.

The Generic ICM Concept of Operations document will be provided to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites, and shall be used as a starting point for the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites to develop their own site-specific ICM Concept of Operations documents. Note that the Generic ICM Concept of Operations is intended to address a wide range of capabilities and functions, and facilitate discussion of the relative importance of different alternative capabilities and functions. It is intended to facilitate stakeholder discussions about defining the corridor management problem and prioritizing solutions. Not every stakeholder or capability discussed in the generic concept of operations should necessarily be included in a site-specific concept of operations.

Generic Corridor ICM Requirements

The purpose of this activity is to derive the applicable requirements for integrated corridor management of the Generic Corridor. The derivation of these requirements is being done in coordination with the development of the Generic ICM Concept of Operations. System-level components are being identified from the Generic ICM Concept of Operations, and system interfaces are being identified for data sharing and communication between system components.

The ICM Requirements document is identifying the following items:

Purpose and scope of the proposed system;
Modes of operation;
System capabilities, conditions, and constraints for various modes of operation;
System-level components and system interfaces;
System performance measures (performance requirements); and
System interface requirements to facilitate integrated operational strategies, including device-to-device integrated operations.

The Generic Corridor ICM Requirements document will be provided to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites, and shall be used as a starting point for the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites to develop their own site-specific ICM Requirements documents.

ICM Implementation Guide

An ICM implementation guidance document is being developed to identify and describe the steps for supporting the development and implementation of integrated corridor management. The document is being based upon the generic ICM Concept of Operations development process, stakeholder input, and insights from implementers of current corridor management systems.

The document is identifying ITS technologies, communications infrastructure, activities, strategies, and potential issues associated with planning and implementing ICM systems. The design of the ICM project is based on the formal systems engineering process-an organized means of guiding and documenting the design process-and reflects user needs, issues, problems, and objectives listed in the generic ICM concept of operations document.

Phase 1.2: Conduct ICM Foundation Research

This task involves overall foundational research to further the understanding of various aspects of integrated corridor management. The task is identifying various issues to evaluate the feasibility of the ICM Initiative. Activities associated with this task are discussed below.

Develop Alternative Definitions

Alternative definitions of corridors and integrated corridor management were identified to support the selection and development of agreed upon definitions. The definitions were presented to the multimodal stakeholder working group for input and comment, and are being refined as appropriate.

Develop a Process for Delineating a Corridor

The purpose of this activity is to develop a process for delineating the boundaries of a corridor and identify the elements of the process-including data collection, analysis, and modeling.

Relationship between Corridor Management and Regional Management

The purpose of this activity is to compare and contrast integrated corridor management and regional management, identifying the similarities, differences, and linkages between the two. This activity is identifying the relationships between integrated corridor management and regional management, and determining how the two may be interrelated and may be operated together for optimal performance.

Identify ICM Institutional Strategies and Administration

This activity is identifying and analyzing the generic institutional strategies for integrated corridor management, identifying the corresponding participating institutions and stakeholders, and addressing the administrative processes and requirements. The institutional focus of this activity represents only one aspect of the integration issues associated with integrated corridor management. Operational and technical integration issues and needs are also important considerations, and are being investigated in a separate activity (under the task, "Identify Corridor Types, Operational Approaches and Strategies, and Analysis Tools").

ICM Program Planning and Funding

In this activity, the administrative challenges associated with planning and deploying an integrated corridor management system are being identified. Also, alternative investment scenarios that will facilitate concept deployment and contribute to improved operations are being identified.

Phase 1.3: Document Successful Local Integration Efforts

Successful and promising current corridor management efforts are being identified to gather further information on needs and gaps, lessons learned, and best practices in the state-of-the-practice.

Document Request for Information Responses

A request for information (RFI) was issued by the U.S. DOT in February 2005 to identify local implementers of current corridor management, and to identify the user needs; technical, operational, and institutional limitations; lessons learned; and best practices. The U.S. DOT received 18 responses to the RFI (Reference number DTFH61-05-RFI-21605), which was open from February 16, 2005 to April 18, 2005.

The purpose of this activity is to summarize and document the RFI responses in conjunction with the ICM Initiative. It includes a synthesis of RFI results and an analysis of the corridor management characteristics obtained from the RFI responses. It provides an early glimpse into some of the barriers to deploying corridor management systems. The documentation of RFI responses is assisting the U.S. DOT in selecting sites for potential site visits.

Identification of Local Corridor Implementations for Site Visits

To gain additional information from the RFI responses, site visits are being conducted at locations that are believed to provide insights concerning the development and implementation of integrated corridor management. This activity is identifying the most promising corridor management implementations for site visits by the U.S. DOT and its representatives. Site visit location recommendations are being determined from the RFI responses and from additional sources of information available to the U.S. DOT.

Site Visits and Report

Visits of recommended corridor management sites are being conducted by the U.S. DOT and its representatives. A report is being prepared that documents the site visits and describes the corridor management improvements for each of the selected sites. The report includes the RFI responses, the site selection process, the implementers involved, a description of the integration efforts in the current systems, the institutional, operational, and technical issues that were and were not addressed, lessons learned, and the stakeholder needs.

Phase 1.4: Identify Corridor Types, Operational Approaches and Strategies, and Analysis Tools

The purpose of this task is to gain an understanding of how to begin the process of determining what ICM approaches and strategies can be applied to various corridors in relation to specific corridor characteristics. In addition, the needs and gaps in ICM modeling and analysis tools is being assessed.

Development of Corridor Types

This activity is identifying different corridor types that can be used to classify corridors by several different characteristics and attributes, and subsequently to match these corridors with potential operational approaches and strategies for integrated corridor management. A matrix, identifying corridor types and their attributes, is being produced. The matrix will help facilitate comparisons with real-world corridors, and assist practitioners in identifying the appropriate strategies to incorporate into the respective ICM systems. The three activities directly below are utilizing and expanding on the corridor type attributes developed in this activity (as well as the ICM Implementation Guide discussed above).

Development of Operational Approaches

This activity includes the following items:

Identify operational approaches for ICM that can be effectively used for a variety of different corridor types;
Identify operational strategies (including supply and demand oriented) that make up each approach; and
Develop a matrix identifying the applicable ICM approaches and strategies for the various corridor types developed in the previous activity.

Corridor Type and Operational Approach Selection Procedure

The purpose of this activity is to develop an analysis approach or procedure to combine ICM strategies, and to match them to corridor types.

Identify Cross-Network Operational Strategies, Issues and Needs

In this activity, high-level requirements for the operational strategies are being identified and defined, and institutional, operational, and technical integration issues that need to be addressed are being identified.

Identification of Analysis Needs

A literature review of current traffic simulation models is being conducted to help identify which models have the potential for modeling and analyzing ICM operations. A gap analysis is also being conducted to identify the functional capabilities that these simulation models and analysis tools do not provide with respect to ICM.

Corridor Types, Operational Approaches and Strategies, and Analysis Tools Report

A final report documenting the corridor types, ICM operational approaches and strategies, strategy selection procedure, strategy requirements, technical integration issues and needs, and analysis needs is being produced.

Phase 1.5: Determine ICM Development Feasibility

This activity includes the following items:

Conduct a feasibility analysis;
Develop a briefing that presents the preliminary results of the ICM Initiative and that supports a go or no go decision; and
Produce an ICM development feasibility report.

The report is summarizing the activities of Phase 1 and making a recommendation on the feasibility of ICM development and the continuation of the initiative. Whereas the general recommendation, as approved by the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council, is for continuation of the initiative, this activity is also serving to summarize the Phase 1 findings and to make recommendations for the remaining program activities.

Feasibility Analysis

The objective of this activity is to conduct a feasibility analysis (using information from previous Phase 1 activities and investigations from this activity) that examines the costs and benefits of ICM, current technology capabilities, and various integration issues. Corridor evaluation reports identified from the literature are being reviewed and summarized. In addition, high-level generic ICM simulations are being conducted to develop a range of ICM benefit-cost ratios. The salient points from the literature review are being combined with the results from generic corridor simulations to assess the benefits and costs for ICM, and the integration issues.

ICM Development Early Assessment Feasibility Briefing

Based on preliminary results from the ICM development feasibility analysis, the contractor has developed a briefing for the ICM core team to present to the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council. The briefing provided the necessary information for the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council to make a go or no go decision on whether or not to continue the ICM Initiative (first decision point). The briefing discussed the key institutional, operational, and technical integration issues that need to be addressed, and whether these issues are workable within the allocated program resources.

In October 2005, the feasibility results of the ICM Phase 1 Foundational Research were presented to the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council. The Management Council concluded that U.S. transportation agencies are interested in corridor management, that issues are workable and solvable, and that the ICM Initiative should continue.

ICM Development Feasibility Report

An ICM development feasibility report that summarizes the results of the feasibility analysis is being created. The report discusses the key institutional, operational, and technical integration issues that need to be addressed, and state whether these issues are workable within the allocated program resources. The report is documenting the feasibility analysis process, analysis assumptions, analysis results, concerns, and ICM program recommendations, including specific Phase 2 developmental activities.

Phase 1.6: Integrated Corridor Management Focus Groups

To date, the stakeholder working group has identified issues and needs related to corridor analysis tools, corridor strategies, and corridor network integration. However, due to the level and diversity of the group, very little detail has been obtained from it about the content and specifics of Phase 2 activities. There is a need to develop structured focus groups containing area specific experts that will provide information and insight concerning the specific needs in each area. The Phase 1 contractor is working with the U.S. DOT to form three focus groups discussed below, to obtain information about technical level issues and needs of the respective areas in relation to Phase 2 activities.

The Technical Systems Integration Focus Group

This focus group will help identify technical issues and system level requirements for implementation of integrated transportation (roadway and transit operations) operations. It is envisioned that the group will consist of representatives from state and local transportation agencies, and consultants, with demonstrated expertise in ITS systems architecture, and knowledge of transportation management center (traffic and transit) operations, ITS applications, and strategies.

The Analysis, Modeling and Simulation Focus Group

This focus group will help identify and prioritize gaps in the modeling and analysis capabilities of current tools to support corridor analysis that includes the development and evaluation of cross-network strategies and strategy packages. The tools will need to integrate traffic and transit analysis capabilities to support true corridor analysis capabilities. It is envisioned that the group will consist of representatives with demonstrated expertise in the area of transportation modeling that includes roadway vehicle, and bus and rail transit.

The Transit Focus Group

This focus group will help identify the issues and requirements for transit operations in the context of corridor management, identify performance measures for transit operations in that context, and identify and prioritize gaps in the modeling and analysis capabilities of current tools to support evaluation of transit strategies for ICM. It is envisioned that the group will consist of representatives with demonstrated expertise in the area of transit operations and modeling.

Phase 1.7: Provide Technical Assistance to ICM Stage 1 Pioneer Sites

Technical assistance will be provided to the selected Stage 1 Pioneer Sites in relation to clarifying the content and use of the ICM generic concept of operations and requirements to assist the sites in developing their site-specific concept of operations and requirements. Technical assistance will be provided via telephone (including conference calls and web conferences), emails, workshops, and, funding permitting, site visits to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites.

Phase 1.8: Transit Issues, Contributions, and Perspectives in ICM

The purpose of this task is to gain a better understanding of the transit perspective in integrated corridor management and to understand the nuances related to integrating transit networks and roadway networks for ICM. It will analyze differences between transit and roadway operations and how these differences can be equitably accommodated in corridors to facilitate implementation of ICM systems. Specifically, this task will identify and examine transit's goals, performance measures, and ITS technologies and strategies with respect to ICM. It will identify and examine the transit component gaps in current simulation and modeling tools and identify what transit analysis components need to be incorporated into any corridor analysis tools. The outcome of this effort will be a better understanding of needs and issues of ICM from the transit perspective, the roles and contributions of transit in ICM, and ways to bridge roadway and transit perspectives to obtain a true corridor perspective.

Select Products: The key products of Phase 1 are:

Generic ICM Concept of Operations
ICM Requirements
ICM Implementation Guide
Foundation Research Technical Memorandums
Documentation of Local Integration Efforts (RFI Responses)
Site Visits Report
Corridor Types, Operational Approaches and Strategies, and Analysis Tools Report
Integrated Corridor Management Feasibility Assessment Analysis Briefing
ICM Development Feasibility Report
Transit Issues, Contributions, and Perspectives in ICM Technical Documents

Outcome: Decision Point #1 Deployment Feasibility - The decision to continue the initiative was made in October, 2005, by the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council based on the recommendations made in the "Integrated Corridor Management Feasibility Assessment Analysis" briefing.

Phase 2: Corridor Tools, Strategies, and Integration

The goal of this phase is to address the tools, strategies, and integration practices that are both necessary to conduct effective ICM Site demonstrations, and useful for dissemination to the entire transportation community. This phase may include limited tests of specific interfaces, tools, and operational strategies, based on the recommendations made in the Phase 1 reports and Focus Group outcomes. Figure 5, located at the end of this document, shows a graphical representation of Phase 2 activities. Phase 2 will run concurrently with Phase 3, with some activities having a supporting role, and others having an independent role.

The activities to be carried out under this phase are divided into two tasks described in this section:

ICM Tools and strategies
Prototyping ICM System Components

Phase 2.1: ICM Tools and Strategies

The activities in this task will refine and utilize the ICM Tools and Strategies. The outcome of this task will be to identify, enhance, or develop the analysis, modeling, and simulation tools (hereafter referred to as the AMS Tools) needed for Phase 3 and beyond.

Conduct the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of the Generic Corridor

The purpose of this activity is to develop a framework to model, simulate, and analyze the ICM strategies for a Generic Corridor, which can then be applied to the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites. The Phase 1 Generic ConOps and Requirements will be used for conducting the AMS activities on the Generic Corridor. This effort will require the development of a framework for the AMS activity. This framework will first be utilized on the Generic Corridor, and then transferred to real world corridors. This framework will consist of an experimental plan, including identification of tools, approach, and performance measures for ICM AMS. Also, a comparison will be made as to the appropriateness of qualitative analysis versus quantitative analysis for each strategy.

Conducting the AMS activities on the Generic Corridor will serve to determine and evaluate the applicable ICM strategies; as well as to test enhancements made to existing tools. The outcome of this activity should include a Generic Corridor AMS report detailing the AMS approach and lessons learned, with items such as the limitations of tools with respect to each of the ICM strategies.

Develop ICM AMS Tools

This activity will determine and prepare the AMS Tools based upon the strategies and gap priorities determined by the AMS Focus Group in Phase 1.6. The AMS Tools will likely be a combination of existing tools and new, or existing, Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to achieve the required results. These tools will allow practitioners to evaluate alternative operational strategies and select the appropriate strategies that meet their specific corridor needs. Some attention in the AMS Tool selection should also be given to how to support the determination and evaluation of corridor boundaries.

Possible options for modeling ICM include the following:

Single scale microscopic models
Single scale mesoscopic models
Enhanced meso-scale models with supporting micro-scale analysis (i.e., detailed microscopic traffic flow relationships)
Off-line multi-scale models (i.e., integrated macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic models)
Concurrent multi-scale or hybrid models (i.e., online version of integrated macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic models)

The operational strategies and the AMS Tools developed or enhanced under this initiative will be available for use throughout this program and will be made available to practitioners.

Operations Decision Support Tools

The purpose of this activity is to plan and develop and ICM Operations Decision Support Tool. This tool (or set of tools) would be an extension of the AMS Tools used to support operations through the planning or real-time selection of ICM strategies. The possibility and efficacy of these decision support tools will be investigated under this activity.

Refine the ICM Strategies

The purpose of this activity is to refine the operational strategies for integrated corridor management. The list of corridor types and related ICM approaches and strategies developed in the Phase 1.4 report, Corridor Types, Operational Approaches and Strategies, and Analysis Tools, will be analyzed to identify their specific usage within ICM.

The strategy analysis will determine the relative complexity and predicted cost-benefit of each strategy, so as to establish priorities for implementation. The focus will be to understand the relationships of the operational strategies, the importance of the factors that affect controlling the networks in a corridor as a system, and the degree to which these influence travel demand, congestion, and trip reliability. Furthermore, after the strategies are assessed using the AMS Tools, additional refinements may be required. Upon finalizing the ICM strategies, they will be compiled with the information from the AMS Tools into an ICM Tools and Strategies Final Report.

Decision Point #2 - Site Application Feasibility

This activity will support the decision making process on moving to the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites (see Phase 3 - Stage 2). Near the end of Phase 3 - Stage 1, the ICM core team will ask the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council to make a decision based on the Integrated Corridor Management Site Application Feasibility Report. At this point it will be decided whether to continue with the ICM initiative and which sites should be selected as Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites. The continuation of the ICM initiative will be based upon the following:

The capability of the tools to model the ICM strategies;
The determination of sufficient benefit-cost from the Generic Corridor AMS activity for the successful implementation of ICM; and
The ability to acquire viable data for performing the AMS activities from one or more Stage 1 Pioneer Sites

Phase 2.2: Prototyping ICM System Components

The purpose of this activity is to develop the ICM System prototypes and analyze their benefit to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites and to ICM in general. This prototyping activity involves the analysis, development, and testing of the system interfaces and integration processes needed to deploy ICM. The system interfaces and the integration processes (i.e., institutional, operational, and technical) to be addressed will be determined in the Phase 1.6 Focus Groups, and in conjunction with analysis from the AMS Team in Phase 2.2.

To address these system interfaces and integration processes, this activity will include both a planning component and an implementation component. The planning component will require review of the operational needs determined in various Phase 1 activities; and then, a determination of the prototypes that will demonstrate successful integration. The implementation component may include laboratory and limited field testing and evaluation of component interfaces of integrated corridor management. This activity may include a range of prototype work-from the analysis of appropriate interface standards, to proof-of-concept test deployments of integrated systems and services. These proof-of-concept test deployments would occur on a smaller scale than that envisioned for a fully integrated corridor management system.

The following activities represent some of the ICM system components that may be investigated and identified for deployment and testing.

Create ICM Interfaces and Integration Processes

System interfaces may be created to integrate the operations of system components of corridor management systems. This would include selecting appropriate standards for enabling data sharing. Processes would then be developed for data sharing and communication between system components and to allow device-to-device control. For example, communication and control interfaces and processes may be developed to enable the integrated operations of a ramp meter and an adjacent traffic signal.

Develop Operations Management Schemes

Operations management schemes could be developed that facilitate the sharing of control and responsibilities between participating corridor organizations for each corridor type. For example, the deployment may include a corridor management system integrating ramp meters and adaptive signal control on adjacent arterials. Alternative approaches could be developed that define junctions between the responsible agencies to allow the sharing of control; thus, different alternatives for management schemes that satisfy operational performance goals could be identified for each corridor type and analyzed.

Standards Selection and Test

Appropriate standards will be identified and will be tested to assess the capabilities of enabling data sharing and communication between ICM system components. These tests would assess the completeness and correctness of the selected standards to support the needs of ICM. This activity might include prototyping the application of Center-to-Center (C2C) standards to support cross-network integration.

Conduct Laboratory Tests of Component Interfaces and Operations

Tests may be conducted to integrate operations of system components of a corridor management system on a limited scale in a laboratory environment. Where applicable, ITS standards will be selected and applied.

An example test that might be conducted includes developing an operations management decision support system for ICM. This system could be used to study the incorporation of real-time on-line analysis of Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA), or the incorporation of performance measure threshold triggers for various cross-network operations strategies that support ICM.

Conduct Field Tests of Component Interfaces and Operations

The purpose of this activity is to identify any limitations or issues with the integrated operations of system components in proof-of-concept tests prior to a fully integrated deployment in the field. Criteria for selection may include:

The ease and speed with which these tests can be executed;
The stakeholder needs identified in the ConOps document in Phase 1.1; and
The findings from the Focus Groups that will be conducted in Phase 1.6.

Field tests may be conducted to test the integrated operations of system components of a corridor management system on a limited scale. Some of these system components may already be operational in the field. The field tests would demonstrate if integrating the operations of these system components is feasible and effective. ITS standards may be selected for the field tests and applied.

The laboratory and field tests would demonstrate the effectiveness of ITS technologies, standards, and strategies that may be included in future site demonstration efforts. The ITS standards selected and used for the tests may be revised at the end of this activity. At the completion of this activity, the following documentation will be prepared: the laboratory implementation procedures, the field test results, the limitations and problems identified while conducting the tests, and the limitations and modifications of the applicable ITS standards.

An example field test might involve deploying traffic signal control strategies and technologies, such as transit signal priority. These strategies may be developed and tested under this initiative based on the needs assessment previously conducted by the FTA and the ITS JPO.

ICM System Prototyping Final Report

Near the completion of the ICM System Component Prototyping activity, an ICM System Prototyping Final Report will be produced that presents the results of these development and testing activities. Furthermore, the Strategies, Concept of Operations, and Requirements documents for the Generic Corridor should be revised as necessary based on the findings from the tests.

Select Products: The key products of Phase 2 will include:

Generic Corridor Modeling Report
AMS Tools
ICM Tools and Strategies Final Report
ICM Site Application Feasibility Report
ICM System Prototyping Final Report

Outcome: Upon successful completion of the AMS and prototyping activities a comprehensive synthesis of ICM Strategies, Tools, and Integration Practices will exist, which can be used as the basis for delivering ICM to the entire transportation community.

Phase 3: Corridor Site Development, Analysis, and Demonstration

The goal of this phase is to conduct effective ICM Site demonstrations. This phase may include the deployment of specific interfaces, tools, and operational strategies, recommended in the Phase 1 and developed in Phase 2. Figure 6, located at the end of this document, shows a graphical representation of Phase 3 activities. Phase 3 will run concurrently with Phase 2-with some overlapping activities. Specific activities to be carried out under this phase fall within the three stages described in this section.

Phase 3.1: Stage One - ICM Pioneer Site Concepts of Operations and Requirements

In this Stage, the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will prepare their corridor-specific Concept of Operations and Requirements documents. These documents will follow the guidance provided in the Generic ICM Concept of Operations and Requirements documents prepared in Phase 1.1. The U.S. DOT will also provide an Implementation Guide that discusses how to conduct integrated corridor management. In this stage the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will accomplish the following tasks.

Kickoff Meeting and Initial Workshop

This first workshop and kickoff meeting will provide the opportunity for the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites to meet with one another and with the U.S. DOT ICM Team to discuss the U.S. DOT's vision of integrated corridor management. The workshop will also serve to open dialogue with the U.S. DOT on the work to be done during the period of performance of this effort. This workshop will serve as the formal "kick-off" meeting for the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites.

Develop an Integrated Corridor Management Concept of Operations

The Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will develop a Concept of Operations document, using the generic Concept of Operations document provided by the U.S. DOT as the starting point. Each Stage 1 Pioneer Site will tailor this document for the specific capabilities and operational needs that the Stage 1 Pioneer Site believes should be in the Stage 1 Pioneer Site's Corridor. Each Stage 1 Pioneer Site's Concept of Operations will describe what the Stage 1 Pioneer Site believes are the integrated corridor management capabilities needed to address existing problems and issues in the Stage 1 Pioneer Site's Corridor. The U.S. DOT will assist the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites in the development of a site-specific Concept of Operations. The first version of this document will be prepared prior to the second workshop and stakeholder meeting scheduled as the next part of this Stage.

Concept of Operations Workshop

This second workshop will give each Stage 1 Pioneer Site the opportunity to present its thinking, as embodied in the draft Concept of Operations for their site, on how they would approach the implementation of integrated corridor management. It will provide each Stage 1 Pioneer Site with the opportunity to measure its own approach against the approaches of other Stage 1 Pioneer Sites. After the workshop, the U.S. DOT will provide comments on the Stage 1 Pioneer Site's draft Concept of Operations. Each Stage 1 Pioneer Site will then revise and refine its Concept of Operations incorporating comments from the U.S. DOT, and the best practices of other Stage 1 Pioneer Sites, in their final version to the U.S.DOT.

Document Requirements for Integrated Corridor Management

Each Stage 1 Pioneer Site will develop and document the requirements that expand on the needs identified in the Stage 1 Pioneer Site's Concept of Operations document. The requirements documentation will provide the basis for the capabilities that the Stage 1 Pioneer Site plans to implement, should it be selected as an ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Site. The U.S. DOT will provide technical assistance to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites in the documentation of requirements for their proposed ICM system. The types of requirements that will be documented include: functional requirements, performance requirements, and system requirements. The first version of this documentation will be prepared prior to the third workshop and stakeholder meeting scheduled as the next part of this Stage.

Requirements Workshop

This workshop will give each Stage 1 Pioneer Site the opportunity to present its thinking, as embodied in the draft requirements documentation for its Site, on what specific integrated corridor management capabilities will be implemented. The workshop will provide each Stage 1 Pioneer Site with the opportunity to measure its own approach against the approaches of other Stage 1 Pioneer Sites. After the workshop, the U.S. DOT will provide comments on the Stage 1 Pioneer Site's draft requirements documentation. Each Stage 1 Pioneer Site will then revise and refine its requirements documentation incorporating comments from the U.S. DOT, and the best practices of other Stage 1 Pioneer Sites, in their final version to the U.S.DOT.

Develop ICM Sample Data List

This Phase 3 - Stage 1 activity involves determining the data required to model ICM and, by extension, examine the performance of ICM. The AMS Team will develop the definitive sample data list and provide this list to the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites. This ICM AMS "Definitive Sample Data List" will act as the guide for the Sites to develop their own "Initial Network Data" used to select the Pioneer Sites to become Phase 3 - Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites.

The development of the ICM AMS definitive sample data list involves the following steps. First, the operational performance goals will be identified for each corridor type identified in Phase 1.4. Next, common corridor performance measures will be compiled for each strategy. That is, for each strategy the specific performance measures will be identified to determine the data required for the ICM analysis, modeling, and simulation. Then the data availability, accuracy, and reliability thresholds for ICM operations will be determined based upon the Generic Corridor Requirements. This will provide the data collection needs for implementing ICM strategies. Lastly, the "Definitive Sample Data List" will be derived that will support the requirements for analyzing, modeling, and simulating the ICM corridor.

Collect and Deliver Sample Data

The purpose of this activity is for the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites to deliver the sample ICM-type data to the U.S. DOT. The U.S. DOT plans to select multiple Stage 1 Pioneer Sites as Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites. The U.S. DOT will choose the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites based upon both the quality of their written documents (Concept of Operations and Requirements documents) and the availability of the data needed to perform the required assessment of their proposed system.

The U.S. DOT will provide all Stage 1 Pioneer Sites with a definitive list of the data required. The Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will collect and provide the available data for the U.S. DOT assessment, as part of the process of selecting those sites that will become Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites.

Phase 3.2: Stage Two - Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of Selected Sites

In this stage a number of Stage 1 Pioneer Sites will be selected by the U.S. DOT to perform work as Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites-that is, support the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of their corridors. The U.S. DOT's designated AMS Team will perform the analysis, modeling, and simulation assessment of the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites' proposed ICM systems. During Phase 3 - Stage 2, each Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site will work closely with U.S. DOT's AMS Team. The primary role for the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site team in this Stage is to collect the data that the U.S. DOT's AMS Team requires in its efforts. Furthermore, each Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site will participate in the analysis, modeling, and simulation effort as a resource to the U.S. DOT's AMS Team.

Conduct the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites

Under this activity the selected Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites will be modeled to analyze their proposed ICM corridor strategies. This modeling will be conducted in conjunction with the Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites according to the framework determined previously when conducting the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of the Generic Corridor (completed in Phase 2). The strategies to be modeled will be determined from the site-specific ConOps and Requirements. The experimental plan framework (developed in Phase 2) will identify the appropriate tools, approach, and performance measures for these strategies.

As the AMS work is being conducted the proposed strategies for each Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site will be identified for operations analysis and evaluation. The AMS Team will work with each Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site to identify ICM strategies and performance measures to be assessed. Once the strategies are established for each site, the data requirements for modeling the proposed system can be identified.

The initial activity will yield the "Modeling and Analysis Data" that will then be used to select the appropriate modeling and analysis tools for each Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site.

Once the tools are determined, the proposed systems for each site can be modeled and evaluated. This will produce the AMS results, which will be used to determine the range of expected benefits of each proposed system.

Upon completion of the modeling a draft Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site Assessment Report will be developed, detailing the approach, results, and lessons learned. This report will detail the possible benefits of implementing the proposed ICM System.

Site-Specific Demonstration Plans

During Stage Two, the U.S. DOT may select some or all of the Stage 1 Pioneer Sites (including Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites) to prepare and submit Demonstration Plans. These Demonstration Plans will describe how the Site proposes to implement those elements of its conceptual ICM system that it believes can effectively demonstrate integrated corridor management. The proposed demonstration project may encompass all of, or part of, the Site's complete conceptual ICM system. Stage 1 Pioneer Sites that are not selected as Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites may be invited to continue as ICM Stakeholders.

Decision Point #3 - Site Demonstration Feasibility

This activity will support the decision making process on moving to Stage 3 of the ICM Stage 1 Pioneer Sites-the ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites. At this point it will be decided whether to continue with the ICM initiative and which sites should conduct ICM Demonstrations. This decision to proceed will be based upon the quality of the Concept of Operations, the possible benefits to the corridor, and the feasibility of the sites to successfully demonstrate the potential of ICM.

The decision will be supported through the development of the "Integrated Corridor Management Site Demonstration Feasibility" Report. The report will document whether sufficient knowledge and technological capabilities have been developed or identified to support an effective demonstration. The report will include an inventory of the products developed or modified in Phase 2, including the operations management schemes, cross-network operational strategies, analysis and modeling tools, and ITS standards needed to have a successful integration of corridor management systems. It will also document the lessons learned from the AMS tests.

At the end of Stage 2, the ICM core team will present to the U.S. DOT ITS Management Council their recommendation concerning whether or not it is feasible to continue on to the Site Demonstrations in Stage 3. Multiple Stage 1 Pioneer Sites or Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites may be selected to proceed to Stage 3 to conduct ICM Demonstrations on their corridors.

Phase 3.3: Stage Three - ICM Site Demonstration Projects

This Stage consists of the development and implementation of those demonstration projects selected by the U.S. DOT. The specific work to be performed depends on the details of the approved Demonstration Plans of selected Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites. In addition, the U.S. DOT will assess the quality of the systems engineering capability of each Stage 1 Pioneer Site in determining which sites shall become Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites.

Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites

While each demonstration project may have its own timeline and duration, it is anticipated that this Stage will last about three years in total. The selected Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites will be required to work in conjunction with the U.S. DOT's AMS Team and an independent ICM Evaluation Team. After the ICM Demonstrations, the modeling tools developed by the AMS Team and the lessons learned through the evaluations will be compiled in the Phase 4 technology transfer effort to disseminate the tools and benefits of ICM to the entire transportation community.

ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Site Assessment and Evaluation

In this activity work will be conducted in conjunction with the AMS Team and the ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Site Independent Evaluator to facilitate conducting the "before and after" study assessment and evaluation. Upon collecting the final information, the "ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Site Assessment and Evaluation Final Report" will be compiled detailing the approach, lessons learned, and "before and after" study results for each ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Site.

Select Products: The key products of Phase 3 will include:

Draft and Final Concept of Operations for the ICM Stage 1 Pioneer Sites
Draft and Final Requirements Documents for the ICM Stage 1 Pioneer Sites
Definitive Sample Data List
Initial Network Data from the ICM Stage 1 Pioneer Sites
Data from the ICM Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Sites
ICM Stage 2 Pioneer AMS Site Assessment Report
Site-Specific Demonstration Plans
ICM Site Demonstration Feasibility Report
Data from the ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites
Independent Evaluations of the ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Sites
ICM Stage 3 Pioneer Demonstration Site Assessment and Evaluation Final Report

Outcome: The completion of this phase will have demonstrated the successful deployment of Integrated Corridor Management Systems (ICMS). The demonstrations will provide:

A list of successful ICM strategies that can be transferred to other communities
An evaluation of the benefits/costs of the designated ICM strategies
A measure of how ICM can increase mobility and reduce congestion

Phase 4: Knowledge and Technology Transfer

In this phase, knowledge and technology transfer activities will be conducted to provide guidance and tools needed for widespread effective deployment of integrated corridor management systems. Specific activities to be carried out under this phase include (graphically represented in Figure 7, located at the end of this document):

Phase 4.1: Develop ICM Resource Compendium

Under this activity an ICM Resource Compendium will be prepared to provide stakeholders with information about important results, reports, and guidance from all previous phases of the initiative. The ICM Resource Compendium will identify and provide guidance about such items as the Generic ICM ConOps, Generic ICM Requirements, ICM Implementation Guide, ICM Technical Memos, and the ICM Program Plan. This compendium will be updated over the life of the ICM Initiative to maintain a knowledge base on the resources being produced by the initiative..

Phase 4.2: Develop ICM Knowledge and Technology Transfer Materials

In this task outreach materials will be developed to provide guidance on implementing integrated corridor management systems. Outreach materials will include brochures, a guidance document, training courses, and workshop materials, among other potential items.

Develop Technology Transfer Materials for ICM Institutional Integration Approaches

Based on the knowledge gained from Phases 1 to 3, a training module will be developed on institutional integration issues and approaches needed to integrate management systems across corridor networks.

Develop Technology Transfer Materials for ICM Operational Integration Approaches

A training module will be developed on operational integration issues, and cross-network operational approaches and strategies.

Develop Technology Transfer Materials for ICM Technical Integration Approaches

A technical integration training module will be developed that will identify technical integration issues, the modeling and analysis tools needed to assess the impacts of corridor management systems, the applicable ITS standards, combinations of ITS technologies, devices, and strategies that are compatible and feasible, versus combinations of ITS technologies, devices, and strategies that may not be compatible or feasible.

ICM Training Courses

The three training modules will be used in various combinations to develop training courses targeting various audiences including, decision makers, planners and operations personnel.

Develop Integrated Corridor Management Implementation Guidance Document

Specific guidance on implementing corridor management systems will be developed. The document will address the institutional, operational, and technological gaps in the integration of corridor management operations. The document will provide guidance on how to select relevant management schemes, operational approaches, operational strategies, ITS standards, and analysis tools for integrating corridor management systems.

Phase 4.3: ICM Knowledge and Technology Transfer

In this task outreach will be conducted to provide guidance and the necessary tools and strategies to the transportation community for integrating corridor management operations. The outreach will include knowledge and technology to support the implementation of corridor integration through integrated management systems, integrated operational strategies, cross-network analysis capabilities, cross-network systems integration, application of ITS standards, and training.

Integrated Corridor Management Conference

A post-demonstration and evaluation conference will be held to share the ICM demonstration experience, including the approach, the lessons learned, and the results of the deployment effort and the evaluation process. Brochures and other outreach materials promoting integrated corridor management will be distributed.

Technology Transfer of ICM Institutional, Operational, and Technical Integration Approaches and Analysis Tools

The various institutional strategies identified or developed for integrating cross-network operations in a corridor, the operational approaches and strategies necessary for integrated operations of a corridor, the modeling and analysis tools developed or modified under this initiative to analyze the operational strategies, and the ITS standards revised under this initiative will be freely disseminated.

Technology transfer will take place through training courses, peer-to-peer training, seminars, mobile workshops, brochures, guidance document, and the ICM Web pages. Technology transfer materials developed in Section 4.2 may be tailored to address the needs of an agency interested in integrating corridor operations.

Select Products: The key products of Phase 4 will include:

Integrated Corridor Management Systems Resource Guide
Integrated Corridor Management Systems Implementation Guidance Document
Institutional Integration Training Module
Operational Integration Training Module
Technical Integration Training Module
ICM Training Courses
ICM Conference

Outcome: This phase will result in an increased awareness among decision makers, system operators, and practitioners, of the benefits and issues of deploying an integrated corridor management system. It will provide practitioners with the knowledge, guidance, standards and analysis tools necessary to integrate corridor management systems successfully.

7.3. Standards Completion and Deployment

The completion and deployment of applicable ITS standards for ICM will occur through the coordination of the objectives and vision of the ICM and ITS Standards Programs. The Tier One ICM and ITS Standards Initiatives share a number of objectives that are achieved through the deployment of ITS standards:

Objective: Effective Data and Information Sharing between ITS Devices along Corridor.

ITS standards allow for ITS devices to operate on a common communications platform and share a common communication interface, simplifying the transfer of data from point-to-point (from device-to-device).

Objective: Simplified Management of the ITS network along Corridor.

Standards support interoperability among different types of ITS devices, allowing agencies to tie together an array of devices into a single, robust ITS network.
Standards support interchangeability, making it easier to maintain, upgrade, and expand the ITS network. The ability to swap devices minimizes downtime and maximizes the deployment of the network. New technologies that are conformant to open standards can be more easily integrated into the existing network.
Communication interface requirements become well-understood and easier to maintain; systems integration becomes easier.

Objective: Effective and Simplified Coordination of Transportation Demand Management Activities through Linked Centers along Corridor.

ITS standards support interoperability among ITS devices in a non-proprietary manner and enable centers along the corridor-even if operated by different agencies or different jurisdictions-to more easily exchange transportation data.
Standards facilitate the integration of non-traditional centers to be integrated into the ITS network, expanding the range of services that can be coordinated through a single center.

Meeting these programmatic objectives is the foundation for achieving a vision of how the transportation network can and will operate along a corridor to maximize capacity and minimize disruptions to the transportation flow. The vision includes:

Vision: Information Sharing.

Information sharing capabilities are reinforced through shared databases and communications systems, which build on the National ITS Architecture, and enable the sharing of remote devices, such as closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras or dynamic message signs, traffic signalization timing plans, and traffic monitoring systems.

Vision: Operations Sharing.

Evidence of more effective integration of transportation facilities along a corridor to enable choices through unified operations centers, integrated databases and shared datasets, integration of wireless technologies, extensive use of internet-based technologies, multi-organization cooperation, and increased and seamless choice of transportation options for the traveler.

The use of ITS Standards allows for this vision to be achieved through open source, open architecture solutions that support interoperability, interchangeability, and more cost-effective integration without the need to patch systems with every change.

8. ICM Initiative Projected Outcomes

The ICM initiative will have shown through a successful demonstration effort how mobility and safety can be increased in major transportation corridors by:

successfully integrating ITS technologies efficiently and proactively,
improving use of real-time data sharing across all networks within the corridor, and
optimizing the corridor as a system instead of a collection of individual networks.

The ICM initiative will have demonstrated the effective use of existing capacity within a corridor, leading to reduced congestion and more reliable travel times. The initiative will also promote the widespread use of integrated corridor management tools and strategies.

[1] The term "network" is used to denote a specific combination of facility and mode.

Integrated Corridor Management Initiative - Program Plan Update

7.2. Program Phases

Phase 2.1: ICM Tools and Strategies

Phase 2.2: Prototyping ICM System Components