ITS Research Success Stories
Integrated Corridor Management

Overview

The efforts to date to reduce surface transportation congestion have focused on optimization of individual networks. Corridors offer an opportunity to operate and optimize the entire system as opposed to the individual networks. Through the Integrated Corridor Management Systems initiative, the USDOT will provide guidance to assist agencies in implementing Integrated Corridor Management, create supporting analysis tools, approaches, and technical standards, and demonstrate the value of Integrated Corridor Management.

Transportation Problem

Corridor Networks Today

Transportation corridors often contain unused capacity in the form of parallel routes, the non-peak direction on freeways and arterials, single-occupant vehicles and transit services that could be leveraged to help reduce congestion. Traffic information today is often fragmented, outdated or not completely useful. Networks are often independently operated and efforts to date to "reduce congestion" have focused on optimization of individual networks.

The ITS Opportunity

The combined application of technologies and a commitment of network partners to work together have the potential to transform the way corridors are operated and managed. Thanks to recent advancements in intelligent transportation systems technologies, there is a tremendous opportunity today to integrate operations to manage total corridor capacity.

graphic showing components of transit systems

With ICM, the various institutional partner agencies manage the transportation corridor as a system-rather than the more traditional approach of managing individual assets. They manage the corridor as an integrated asset in order to improve travel time reliability and predictability, help manage congestion and empower travelers through better information and more choices.

In an ICM corridor, because of proactive multimodal management of infrastructure assets by institutional partners, travelers could receive information that encompasses the entire transportation network. They could dynamically shift to alternative transportation options-even during a trip-in response to changing traffic conditions. For example, while driving in a future ICM corridor, a traveler could be informed in advance of congestion ahead on that route and be informed of alternative transportation options such as a nearby transit facility's location, timing and parking availability.

graphic showing Example ICM Corridor

Example ICM Corridor

Research Approach

Spotlight on the Four Phases of the USDOT's ICM Initiative

The USDOT's seven year ICM Initiative will occur in four phases. These phases are designed to promote innovation in the development of new approaches for efficiently managing existing assets within a corridor. Ultimately, these four phases will help the USDOT and the Pioneer Sites to identify and advance promising ICM approaches that can serve as critical next steps in the nation's efforts to reduce traffic congestion. Note that Phases 2-4 occur concurrently to some extent.

Phase 1: Foundational Research
Phase 2: Corridor Tools, Strategies and Integration
Phase 3: Corridor Site Development, Analysis and Demonstration
Phase 4: ICM Outreach and Knowledge and Technology Transfer

ICM Pioneer Sites

map showing 8 pioneer sites

The USDOT selected eight "Pioneer Sites" to act as critical partners in the development, deployment and evaluation of Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) strategies designed to help manage congestion in some of our nation's busiest urban corridors as part of its 7-year ICM Initiative.

The ICM Pioneer Sites are:

Learn more about the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation activities at the Dallas, TX, Minneapolis, MN, and San Diego, CA Pioneer Sites.

Learn more about the Demonstration activities at the Dallas, TX, and San Diego, CA Pioneer Sites.

table depicing components of pioneer sites as described below

All eight Pioneer Sites are recognized leaders in the area of congestion management, and their efforts under this initiative will directly contribute to more efficient, faster moving, and safer corridors for the future. The corridors of each Pioneer Site include configurations and characteristics similar to many other corridors across the nation and all possess infrastructure assets that can enable ICM. For example, all have implemented real-time signal control on their arterials. Many have implemented high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) and value-pricing strategies, while others have advanced bus operations that include express bus and bus rapid transit services. The table above provides a snapshot of the eight USDOT ICM Pioneer Sites and the existing infrastructure assets they will seek to integrate through ICM.

The Pioneer Sites are developing multimodal ICM strategies that apply new institutional and operational approaches and advanced technologies to existing infrastructure to help to increase travel time reliability, manage congestion and empower travelers. The USDOT's partnership with the Pioneer Sites has occurred in three stages consistent with the overall research approach:

Stage 1-Concept Development (FY07-08). All eight sites developed site-specific concept of operations (CONOPS) and requirements documents. Each site provided sample data for evaluation. All eight Pioneer Sites have completed development of their CONOPS and requirements documents. These documents are available by going to the individual site pages linked from the top of this page and from the ICM Knowledgebase.

Stage 2-Modeling (FY09-FY10). Three pioneer sites have been chosen for stage 2 of the partnership from the eight pioneer sites shown above. Dallas, TX, Minneapolis MN, and San Diego, CA successfully modeled their proposed ICM systems.

Click here to learn more about the Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation activities at the Dallas, TX, Minneapolis, MN, and San Diego, CA Pioneer Sites.

Stage 3-Demonstration and Evaluation (FY10-FY13). Dallas, TX and San Diego, CA have been selected to demonstrate their ICM strategies in FY11-12 (see the press release). These sites will demonstrate the application of institutional, operational and technical integration approaches in the field and document implementation issues and operational benefits.

Click here to learn more about the Demonstration activities at the Dallas, TX, and San Diego, CA Pioneer Sites.

Visit the ICM Web site regularly at http://www.its.dot.gov/icms for more information on the Pioneer Sites and updates on their progress in the development of innovative ICM strategies to manage congestion.

Research Findings and Test Results

Research findings and test results from the ICM Initiative are summarized here and also stored in the ICM Knowledgebase, the searchable, browseable online repository of research reports, documents and other knowledge transfer resources from the ICM Initiative. Search the ICM Knowledgebase by keyword or browse by intuitive categories to find and download resources that may be helpful to you.

ICM CONOPS and System Requirements

The development of an ICM Concept of Operations, or "CONOPS," is the first step toward the implementation of ICM in a corridor. In this foundational step, partner agencies along a transportation corridor work together to develop a detailed concept for operating and managing the corridor as a system of systems. The ICM CONOPS document describes this concept-and includes detailed institutional, operational, and technical implications-to support a shared vision for ICM corridor operations, and development of requirements. In addition, the CONOPS needs to clearly describe why the proposed system is needed and what the needs are for the system. With a complete CONOPS, partner agencies then develop and document Systems Requirements Specifications for their ICM system (ICMS) mapping back to their needs identified in their CONOPS. These two documents guide ICMS design.

  • Download and review examples of CONOPS and Systems Requirements Specifications documents from the Pioneer Sites from the ICM Knowledgebase.

Schedule and Final Steps

Coming Soon!

Research Update and News

Stay up to date on what's new with ICM by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. To receive updates when new resources are posted to the ICM Knowledgebase, click on the link at the bottom of the Knowledgebase.

What's New

  • ICM Summer 2010 Newsletter Now Available. The Summer 2010 ICM Newsletter is now available Check it out at: www.its.dot.gov/icms/new_newsletter.htm.
  • In addition to the ICM Pioneer Sites, other corridors across the country are making strides towards ICM - visit the Stakeholders page to learn what other corridors are doing: http://www.its.dot.gov/icms/icms_stake.htm.
  • New presentations are available in the ICM Knowledgebase. Presentations from several conferences have been added to the ICM Knowledgebase. To access these, please go to the Knowledgebase and browse by "Conference/Event."
  • Steve Mortensen (USDOT/FTA) recently presented at the 2010 ITS America Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas. Check out his presentation in the ICM Knowledgebas
  • Early AMS Results for 3 Pioneer Sites Expected in 2010 USDOT conducted analysis, modeling and simulation (AMS) of proposed ICMS for three of its eight ICM Pioneer Sites last fall. The sites are: Dallas, Texas, San Diego, California, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The sites are completing their model validation and calibration and are starting to conduct alternatives analysis. Early results are expected in early 2011

ICM in the News

The ICM Initiative has been featured in several magazines. Click on the links below to access these articles.

Articles Published in 2010:

  • Integrated Corridor Management in Public Roads: Coming Soon!

Articles Published in 2009:

Articles Published in 2008:

ICM Newsletter

The ICM newsletter keeps ICM Pioneer Sites and transportation practitioners interested in congestion management informed about what's going on in the USDOT ICM Initiative, and provide the latest knowledge and technology transfer materials that are available. Sign up to receive the newsletter electronically.

Newsletters

ICM Early Adopters

Communities around the country are starting to take notice of the successes of the ICM strategies being employed at the eight pioneer sites in Dallas, TX, San Diego, CA, Oakland, CA, Minneapolis, MN, San Antonio, TX, Houston, TX, Montgomery County, MD, and Seattle, WA. Implementing ICM requires the input and support of many stakeholders, including state and local DOTs, transit agencies, MPOs, suppliers of transportation management systems, and organizations that represent these groups of stakeholders. The USDOT is engaging early adopters and stakeholders through meetings and workshops.

Below are links to other sites that are beginning the process of implementing ICM in their most congested corridors. Click on the links below to learn more about ICM in these corridors.

Oakland, California: I-80 Corridor

California/Oregon Advanced Transportation Systems (COATS): I-5 and US97/OR 58

Detroit, Michigan: I-75 Corridor

Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee ITS Priority Corridor

Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC)

Phoenix, Arizona: I-10 Corridor

Tri-State Integrated Corridor Management System (California, Oregon, and Nevada)

How Can I Get Involved?

If your agency is interested in implementing ICM or is doing so and would like to have your information included on this page, please contact ICM@dot.gov

Events of Interest

Upcoming Events (in chronological order)

Back to top

Research Reports and Documents

ICM Knowledgebase

Welcome to the USDOT's ICM Knowledgebase, the searchable, browseable online repository of research reports, documents and other knowledge transfer resources from the ICM Initiative. The ICM Knowledgebase is intended to be a highly-useable, reliable 'one-stop' online reference that provides transportation professionals the tools, strategies, sample documents and knowledge they need to successfully implement ICM in their corridors. Its multiple search and browse options are designed to help you conveniently find the information you need today.

Click here for more about how the ICM Knowledgebase can help you!

New in the ICM Knowledgebase:

Reports

Coming Soon!

  • Integrated Corridor Management - U.S. 75 Dallas, Texas - Model Validation and Calibration Report - Final Report
  • Integrated Corridor Management - U.S. 75 Dallas, Texas - Analysis Plan - Final Report
  • Integrated Corridor Management - I-394 Minneapolis, Minnesota - Model Validation and Calibration Report - Final Report
  • Integrated Corridor Management - I-394 Minneapolis, Minnesota - Analysis Plan - Final Report
  • Integrated Corridor Management - I-15 San Diego, California - Model Validation and Calibration Report - Final Report
  • Integrated Corridor Management - I-15 San Diego, California - Analysis Plan - Final Report

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    Enter the keyword search term of your choice. The search engine will deliver all ICM Knowledgebase documents that meet your search criteria

 

Browse Knowledgebase :

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Links

ICM Pioneer Sites

Research Contacts

The ICM Initiative is truly an integrated initiative. This philosophy is reflected in the joint management of the initiative shared by senior representatives from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration's (RITA) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). In addition to proactively involving stakeholders in the development of everything from the initial concept of the initiative to the strategic plan for ICM outreach and knowledge and technology transfer, the ICM Initiative is jointly directed by a "Core Team" of USDOT leaders:

Mr. Brian Cronin, P.E., serves as the RITA/JPO ICM Program Manager and has been working in the area of transportation and intelligent transportation systems for 13 years. He is the Congestion Program Coordinator for the ITS JPO and serves as technical representative for the Montgomery County, MD, and San Antonio, TX, Pioneer Sites. Brian first worked in a consulting company where he planned and designed traffic management control systems for the public sector. Brian worked at the FTA for 7 years prior to joining the ITS JPO in 2005. While at the FTA, Brian managed projects on traveler information systems, vehicle safety systems, standards and system management. Brian is also the JPO's lead representative to the Department's Congestion Initiative. Contact Brian Cronin, USDOT/Research and Innovative Technology Administration: 202-366-8841, brian.cronin@dot.gov.

Mr. Steve Mortensen serves as the FTA ICM Program Manager. Steve is the technical representative for the Dallas, TX, and San Diego and Oakland, CA Pioneer Sites. He joined FTA in May 2007 and is a senior ITS engineer with the FTA Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation. In addition to supporting the USDOT ICM Initiative, Steve currently supports the Urban Partnership Agreement Program, Transit Operations Decisions Support System Demonstration, and other transit ITS projects. For the past 12 years, Steve has managed and conducted technical research in the areas of advanced traveler information systems for transit, rural transit ITS and human services transportation coordination, electronic fare collection, and rail and transit ITS evaluations. Before working in the field of ITS, Steve spent 7 years in the aerospace and defense industry, performing thermodynamic analyses and tests on missile guidance system components and the Space Shuttle Discovery. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Contact Steve Mortensen, USDOT/Federal Transit Administration: 202-493-0459, steven.mortensen@dot.gov.

Mr. Robert Sheehan, P.E., PTOE, is a Transportation Specialist with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Operations - Transportation Management. Bob joined FHWA in August 2008 and will be supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Initiative, Active Traffic Management, and other Systems Management projects. Prior to joining the FHWA, he spent 7 years at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as the Field Operations Manager for the Smart Traffic Signal System and the Freeway Operations Engineer for the Smart Traffic Center. He received his Professional Engineer license in 2004 and his Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification in 2008. Bob has a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University. Contact Robert Sheehan, USDOT/Federal Highway Administration: 202-366-6817, robert.sheehan@dot.gov.

Mr. Dale Thompson is a Transportation Research Specialist in the FHWA's Office of Operations. As FHWA's Research and Development ICM Research Coordinator, Dale is responsible for leading and coordinating the research activities in the Phase 1 ICM Analysis, Simulation and Modeling and Phase 3 Technical Integration efforts. He is also the technical representative for the Minneapolis, MN, Houston, TX, and Seattle, WA, Pioneer Sites. In addition to supporting the FHWA Operations and ITS programs for the past 10 years, his experience includes serving as the AZTECH and ITS Program Manager for Maricopa County in Phoenix, AZ, and serving as a Systems Integration and Interoperability Officer in the United States Air Force. Contact Dale Thompson, USDOT/Federal Highway Administration: 202-493-3420, dale.thompson@dot.gov.


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