Integrating Operations into Planning and Programming
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Analysis and Performance Measurement
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- Tool for Operations Benefit Cost Analysis
- Performance Measures and System Monitoring
- Operations Data for Planning
Regional Collaboration and Coordination
- Regional Concept for Transportation Operations (RCTO)
Organizing for Operations
Mainstreaming TSMO
Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans
Congestion Management Process (CMP)
How Does TSMO Relate To ...
- Performance-Based Planning
- Designing for Operations
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Home / Focus Areas / Analysis and Performance Measurement / Operations Data for Planning
The use of operations data is vital to the advancement of transportation planning as metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and State departments of transportation (DOTs) shift to a more performance-based planning process that requires system performance data to guide decisionmaking. The use of operations data in planning cuts across almost all planning activities, including:
- Setting outcome-based objectives
- Developing and tracking performance measures
- Identifying system performance needs and problems
- Analyzing and evaluating scenarios, programs, projects, or strategies
- Prioritizing and selecting programs and projects
- Monitoring and evaluating the impacts of implemented programs and projects
Examples of operations data include:
- Automated spot traffic data (e.g., loop, acoustic, radar traffic detectors) including volume, speed, occupancy and other data
- Travel time data (probe data)
- Incident logs
- Crash data
- Operational data (e.g., logs of messages displayed on variable message signs, 511 calls or alerts)
- Weather data[1]
Transportation agencies in major metropolitan areas often have large amounts of archived or real-time data collected through road sensors and their central control systems, although there are significant limitations to the use of this data for performance monitoring.[2] The recent emergence of probe data is creating more opportunities for transportation operating agencies and MPOs to monitor and analyze travel times according to elements of the network and routes. There are now several commercial probe data systems available based on cell phone location, GPS equipped vehicles (usually fleets), and cell phones or other personal devices with GPS systems.
Operations data is needed for the analysis and simulation tools used to quantitatively evaluate and forecast the potential impacts of management and operations strategies on transportation system performance, safety, and other measures.
Data sharing between agencies is a critical way to cost-effectively gain a region-wide or system-wide perspective on transportation system performance. Collaborating on data collection requires that agencies agree to standard data definitions, levels of quality, and a consistent format. By sharing data, agencies in the region can "collect once, use often" and avoid duplicating effort.
- Applying Archived Operations Data in Transportation Planning: A Primer
- Applying Archived Operations Data in Transportation Planning: Web-Based Informational Session
- FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Project – Effective Integration of Analysis Modeling and Simulation Tools
- Private Sector Data for Performance Management – Final Report (HTML, PDF 293KB)
- SHRP 2 Report S2-L03-RR-1: Analytical Procedures for Determining the Impacts of Reliability Mitigation Strategies
- SHRP 2 L05 Incorporating Reliability Performance Measures into the Transportation Planning and Programming Processes Project Site
- The Use of Data in Planning for Operations: State-of-the-Practice Review
[1] SHRP2 LO5: Incorporating Reliability in the Transportation Planning Process – Technical Guidance (unpublished draft). Available at: SHRP 2 L05 Incorporating Reliability Performance Measures into the Transportation Planning and Programming Processes Project Site.
[2] SHRP2 L04: Incorporating Reliability Performance Measures in Operations and Modeling Tools (unpublished draft report). Available at: SHRP 2 L04: Incorporating Reliability Performance Measures in Operations and Planning Modeling Tools Project Site.
Key Resources |
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Applying Archived Operations Data in Transportation Planning: A Primer (HTML, PDF 11.9MB) |
Showcasing Visualization Tools in Congestion Management: A Guidebook (HTML, PDF 2.1MB) |