South Central Pennsylvania Regional Operations Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 PennDOT Executive Goal # 6 Effectively and efficiently operate the transportation system
Agenda Introductions Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Current Statewide Initiatives Operational Needs Areas Operational Concepts and Projects Schedule and Next Steps Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 2
Introductions Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 3
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan An integrated program designed to make the best use of existing highway infrastructure through provision of systems and services that preserve and improve performance - AASHTO Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 4
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan By definition Transportation Systems Operations represents technologies and institutional arrangements that allow transportation systems to operate more closely to their maximum design intent. Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 5
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Mobility Plan Long-range (25-year) transportation plan Transportation Systems Operations Plan (TSOP) Statewide plan which defines operational directions and goals Defines 19 detailed projects Regional Operations Plan Rightsize to regional needs Operationally-focused projects Feed into the Long-Range Plans Regional Operations Plan TSOP Mobility Plan Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 6
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Identify, define, and prioritize operationally- focused projects State goals: 1. Build and maintain a transportation operations foundation 2. Improve highway operational performance 3. Improve safety 4. Improve security Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 7
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Defines the strategic transportation operations program for the region Extends TSOP to the regional level Specifies and prioritizes regional operations projects Tailors statewide directions to regional needs Achieves uniformity and compatibility across regions Expands cooperative relationships between regional transportation operators and planning partners Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 8
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Process for developing ROP is defined in Regional Guidance Document dated May 12, 2006 Seven-step process 1. Establish a Regional Operations Forum 2. Review/ Updates and Document Projects 3. Define Regional Needs and Priorities 4. Identify Regional Operations Concepts 5. Define Operations Projects 6. Develop the Regional Program 7. Prepare and Adopt the Regional Operations Plan Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 9
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Regional Operations Forum A representative, decision-making body of knowledgeable planning partners and practitioners across the region to plan and oversee transportation operations, specifically development of the ROP Core, manageable group, but inclusive Scott Nazar PennDOT District 8-0 Bob Conrad PennDOT District 8-0 Terry Adams PennDOT District 8-0 Mike Pack PennDOT BHSTE Walt Panko PennDOT Program Center Chip Millard Tri-County Regional Planning Com. Tom Kotay Lebanon County Planning Dept. Dave Royer Lancaster County Planning Com. Don Bubb York County Planning Com. Andrew Merkel Adams County Office of Planning Phil Tarquino Franklin County Planning Co. Jim Hunt FHWA Kay Carman York County EMA Lou Cortelazzi Pennsylvania Turnpike Com. Lieutenant Crider Pennsylvania State Police Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 10
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Defined Operational Needs Areas Traveler Information Traffic Signals Goods Movement Incident Management Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 11
Review of Current Statewide Initiatives 1. Build and maintain a transportation operations foundation 2. Improve highway operational performance 3. Improve safety 4. Improve security Traffic Signals has applicability to first three goals Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 12
Possible Operational Needs Areas TSOP PROJECTS Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 13
Traffic Signals Bill Laubach Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering
Where are we now? National Traffic Signal Report Card Self-assessment conducted in August 2004 Agencies representing about one-third of the traffic signals in the United States participated Traffic signal operation rated a D- It is expected Pennsylvania scores mirror the national average 2007 self-assessment is currently underway
Where are we now? Pennsylvania Background All traffic signals are owned, operated, and maintained by municipalities PennDOT is responsible for approving new signals and overseeing modifications to existing signals PennDOT Engineering Districts issue permits to local municipalities for each individual signal installation There are over 13,600 signals in Pennsylvania - $1 billion dollar asset Most municipalities operate and maintain a small number of signals 46% of 2,655 municipalities own signals 80% own 10 or fewer, 64% own 5 or fewer, 25% own only one Only 4% own more than 25 signals
TAC Signal Study Pennsylvania Traffic Signal Systems: A Review of Policies and Practices (2004) Completed for State Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) in January 2005 12 core and 30 other recommendations for planning, deployment, and management of signals Signals are an asset that should be better managed Signals are a shared responsibility Signals should be considered on a corridor and regional level Resulted in TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation
TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation Development of Statewide Traffic Signal Asset Management System (TSAMS) Repository of traffic signal information (location, type, age of equipment, permits, signal condition, etc.) Tool to improve planning, design, installation, maintenance, and operation of signals Part 1 Business requirements study (underway) Part 2 IT contract for system development
TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Pilot Efforts PennDOT traffic management centers can adjust traffic signal timings on adjacent corridors affected by freeway incidents Schuylkill Expressway/PA 23 Corridor in District 6-0 Interstate 80/US 219/PA 255 Corridor near Dubois in District 2-0 Results will be shared Future pilots will be considered
TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation Multi-Jurisdictional Traffic Signal Maintenance and Operation Support multi-jurisdictional cooperation Outreach materials including: Best practices Multi-municipal agreements Maintenance contracts Retiming/optimization contracts Material contracts Develop and implement regional and congested corridor programs through multi-jurisdictional signal agreements
TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation Signal Improvements due to Significant Construction Projects Federal Work Zone Final Rule Encourage traffic signal and other improvements when nearby construction projects have significant impacts Need to be completed prior to or in the early stages of significant construction Regions are encouraged to identify where this concept can be advanced
TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation Policy for Signal Upgrading on Department Projects Exploring policies and procedures that can be used during scoping phase to determine if traffic signal upgrades are needed as part of construction projects Regions are encouraged to evaluate location, condition, and performance of existing signals
TSOP 08: TAC Signal Study Implementation Additional Funding PennDOT provided input to Transportation and Funding Reform Commission regarding traffic signals outcome is unknown at this time Retiming/optimization Detailed study to develop safe and efficient timings and phasings Reduce travel time, delay, emissions, fuel consumption Modernization Bring equipment to current State and national standards Reduce operation and maintenance costs Includes retiming/optimization and railroad preemption PennDOT encourages regions to identify corridors
Purpose of Regional Operations Plan Process for developing ROP is defined in Regional Guidance Document dated May 12, 2006 Seven-step process 1. Establish a Regional Operations Forum 2. Review/ Updates and Document Projects 3. Define Regional Needs and Priorities 4. Identify Regional Operations Concepts 5. Define Operations Projects 6. Develop the Regional Program 7. Prepare and Adopt the Regional Operations Plan Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 24
Review of Operational Needs Areas Traffic Signals Effective use of Congested Corridor Improvement Program (CCIP) and Traffic Signal Enhancement Initiative (TSEI) funding Detour and special event traffic management Interjurisdictional systems Others? Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 25
Operational Concepts and Projects Operations Concepts Define a regional operations concept for each needs area. The operations concept should show: The relevant linkages among stakeholders The types of information to pass between stakeholders, and The direction in which information will flow Operations Projects Operations Projects Identify projects that implement the operations concept Projects may be regional in scope or localized Projects should build on TSOP initiatives Projects should be thoroughly defined Projects should be prioritized within each needs area Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 26
Operational Concepts and Projects Discussion of Operational Concepts Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 27
Schedule and Next Steps Refine concepts and begin to define projects Hold Task Force Meeting in March/April to discuss projects Hold Forum Meeting in April/May to review Task Force Meeting results and consolidate program Develop Regional Operations Plan and adopt by all planning partners by August 2007 Traffic Signals Task Force Meeting #1 28