1	Weather Responsive Traffic Management (WRTM) Strategies and TMC Weather Integration Road Weather Mgmt Stakeholder Meetings Albuquerque, NM September 8, 2011
2	WRTM Program Framework
3	Developments in WRTM Strategies Project Objectives Review state-of-the-practice Document and quantify benefits of existing WRTM strategies through an expert panel Identify possible improvements Develop concept of operations and requirement documents Develop procedures of evaluating the benefits or value of improved strategies Conduct a stakeholder workshop for WRTM
4	State of the Practice Eight categories of WRTM strategies were identified and over 20 strategies described. Motorist advisory and alert/warning systems Speed management strategies Vehicle restriction strategies Road restriction strategies Traffic signal control strategies Traffic incident management Personnel/Asset management Agency coordination and integration
5	State of the Practice (Cont) WRTM strategies tend to be localized. Numerous applications exist to deal with certain specific problem locations/road segments Strategies that address regional travel impacts are rare and primarily exist in the motorist advisory arena WRTM strategies use observed weather and traffic condition data Very few use forecast data (mainly vehicle/route restrictions) Most strategies respond to deteriorating traffic conditions Very few proactive WRTM strategies Limited documentation of benefits of the WRTM strategies
6	Expert Panel for Improved WRTM Dave Kinnecom – Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Brian Fariello – Texas DOT (San Antonio) Vince Garcia – Wyoming DOT Tina Greenfield Huitt – Iowa DOT Gene Donaldson – Delaware DOT Jack Stickel – Alaska DOT Sheldon Drobot – National Center for Atmospheric Research Rob Helt – City of Colorado Springs Peter Koonce – City of Portland
7	Recommended Improvements to WRTM Strategies Improved linkages between weather conditions and traffic operational impacts Detailed guidance on where and when to use active warning systems Improved impact prediction and decision support capabilities Enhanced weather information integration at TMCs Better techniques and tools to facilitate intra- and inter-agency coordination during weather events Improved coordination between transit service providers and traffic management agencies
8	Concepts of Operations for New or Improved WRTM Strategies Based on the state-of-practice review and the recommended improvements from expert panel Weather Responsive Active Traffic Management – including vehicle, facility and route restrictions Weather Responsive Traffic Signal Management Weather Responsive Traveler Information – including both pre-trip and en-route traveler information Seasonal Load Restrictions Intra- and Inter-agency coordination
9	WRTM Evaluation Framework
10	TMC Wx Integration Project Objectives: Help TMC’s evaluate their use of Wx information for operations, identify needs for additional Wx information, and provide optional strategies for integrating that new information into their system Accomplishments: Prepared a State of the Practice report on TMC Wx Integration Developed a Self-Evaluation and Planning Guide to assist TMCs to identify needs and strategies, and prepare a plan for Wx integration Worked directly with 7 TMCs across the country to conduct their self-evaluation and develop/implement Wx integration plans
11	Integration Activities with TMCs Sacramento, California Regional TMC: Implemented and evaluated the performance of a weather alert notification system Kansas City Scout TMC: Integrating weather event forecast information into their Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) Colorado Springs TMC: Conducting a pilot study on winter weather arterial signal timing in one of their city grids Louisiana statewide TMCs: Completed a comprehensive statewide self-evaluation and integration plan across their four TMCs Wyoming Statewide TMC: Expanding road weather information sensor coverage and implementing additional variable speed limit notification system in key corridors Redding, California TMC: Completed their self-evaluation but resource limitations prevented them from completing an integration plan
12	Outcomes and Benefits Increased awareness of value of Wx information and preparedness to act proactively More timely dissemination of road weather information to operators and the traveling public Greater Wx information sharing among operators, maintenance, meteorologists, and external agencies Improved operational response to emerging Wx conditions Enhanced safety, mobility and satisfaction for travelers (both general public and commercial) Cost savings due to more efficient and effective operational management of Wx events
13	Next Steps Continue to promote guide and assist TMC’s with self-evaluation Support TMC’s with implementing integration strategies Quantify and document the benefits of weather integration
14	Team Composition Roemer Alfelor and David Yang, FHWA Deepak Gopalakrishna, Battelle Kevin Balke, Texas Transportation Institute Chris Cluett, Battelle Fred Kitchener, McFarland Management