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AASHTOCommittee on Transportation System Operations

(CTSO) Update

August 26, 2019

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Committee on Transportation

System Operations

Subcommittee on Operations

Working Group on Operations Strategies

Working Group on Operations

Implementations

Working Group on Freight Operations

Subcommittee on Technology

Working Group on Communications

Technology

Working Group on Connected and

Automated Vehicles

Working Group on Intelligent

Transportation Systems

Subcommittee on Performance

Management and Data

Research Development and Implementation

Coordinators

Community of Practice on Road Weather

Management

“Promote the implementation of Road Weather Management

(RWM) solutions and strategies that minimize the impacts of

weather events on transportation system operations to increase

safety and reliability”

CTSO – Organizational StructureChair: Jennifer Cohan, DE Vice-Chairs: Russ Buchholz, ND & Tony Kratofil, MI

Chair: Steve Cook, Michigan DOTVice-Chair: Joey Sagal, Maryland DOT, SHA“Promote the implementation of Road Weather Management (RWM) solutions and strategies

that minimize the impacts of weather events on transportation system operations to increase

safety and reliability”

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Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSMO) Strategies and Solutions

• Road Weather Management

• ITS Strategies

• CAV (infrastructure investment)

• Work Zone Management

• Traffic Incident Management

• Special Event Management

• RWIS

• Transit Management

• Freight Management

• Data Usage & Applications

• Communications

• Traffic Signal Coordination & Performance

• TMC/TOC Traveler Information

• Ramp Management

• Managed Lanes

• Active Traffic Management

• Integrated Corridor Management

• Variable Speeds Limits

• Truck Parking

• Traffic Flow Harmonization

• Improved Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossings

• Outreach/awareness/education

Road Weather ManagementCommunity of Practice

TSMO365 Peer Exchange Summary

Salt Lake City, UtahJune 2019

TSMO365 CoP on RWM Workshop Objectives

Webinar poll – January 2019 TSMO365 survey – March 2019 Survey identified 4 - TSMO365 high pay-off RWM priorities - March 2019 Peer exchange workshop - June 2019

• How CoP on RWM can support advancing RWM• Top RWM priorities in the next 1-3 years• Strengths & weaknesses of RWM program(s)• Gaps and needs in RWM: data, system automation, communication to TMC/TOC,

public, etc.• Future of RWM strategies and the impact on CAV• Better use of data driven performance measures

Coordinate outcomes with other stakeholders• AASHTO CTSO WGs, SICOP, Clear Roads, Aurora, MDSS, FHWA, etc.

Focus Areas (priorities) of this Workshop

This workshop highlighted 4 focus areas within RWM that the CoP survey identified as priority areas:

1. IMO: Integrating Mobile Observations about road weather for decision-making

2. VSL: Variable Speed Limits driven by road weather3. Real-Time Warnings: Active real-time motorist warning systems

for road weather hazards (road ice, wind, visibility, flooding, etc.)

4. Predictive traffic models: Predictive traffic condition models integrating road weather forecasts

TSMO365 Peer Exchange Workshop Summary

• Approximately 26 RWM DOT subject matter experts (34 –total attendees).

• Two-day workshop had presentations and four 2-hour long work sessions (table top exercises) – one per focus area.

• Each work session began with presentations of two best practices from peer exchange attendees.

• After the best practice presentations, the group broke out into four teams, about 8 participants per team.

• Teams conducted table top exercises to determine priority action items to advance the practice of the given focus areas stated in previous slide:

• Two teams followed a Capability Maturity Model (CMM) process to determine actions across the 6-CMM dimensions.

• Two teams aligned actions to the AASHTO CTSO 8-Working Groups.

TSMO365 Tabletop Exercise Breakouts

CoP on RWM

Integrating Mobile Observations

(IMO)

CMM

6-dimensions

CTSO8-Working Groups

Variable Speed Limits (VSL)

CMM6-dimensions

CTSO8-Working Groups

Real-Time Warnings

CMM6-dimensions

CTSO8-Working Groups

Predictive Traffic Models

CMM6-dimensions

CTSO8-Working Groups

TSMO365 CoP RWM Workshop Top 8-Priority Action Items2-Integrating Mobile Observations (IMO) Top Priorities:

• Illustrate benefits of IMO through case studies and best practices analysis• Set de facto data standards (fixed and mobile ESS) and develop strategies for IMO

implementation and integration2-Variable speed Limit (VSL) Top Priorities:

• Develop and document system engineering criteria (con-ops, requirements, design specs, life cycle costs) for VSL for road weather

• Develop a research statement for the benefits of VSL for road weather (overall and drill into regulatory versus advisory)

2-Real-Time Warnings Top Priorities:• Conduct systems engineering analysis for real-time warnings for road weather which

includes technologies, common core specs, best practices, compliance requirements• Study best practices/use cases in real-time warnings to identify effective applications

2-Predicitve Traffic Model (PTM) Top Priorities:• Understand and communicate PTMs for road weather state of the practice and pilot

projects• Define PTM needs and goals with the help of diverse group of stakeholders

Variable Speed Limit (VSL) Example: Active speed limits During Weather Events

•Reducing traffic speed during snow storms - set VSL to 40 mph

•When difficult to determine speeds or road conditions, post SLOW

•Opening the shoulder during winter snow event

Oregon RWM VSL Warning System for Icing Roads

Virginia RWM VSL Warning System for Fog Issues

Real-Time Warnings Example:Active ESS Warning System Auto Detects Slippery Road Conditions

Safety Benefits:• Static signs can be just

background & unnoticed

• Alerts drivers when to pay attention

• Gives motorists extra time to react

Real-Time Warning Systems ExampleMaricopa County, AZ address Dust Storms(since 2000, dust has contributed to 1,207

collisions resulting in 40 fatalities

Maricopa Automated Roadway Flood Warnings

Michigan Automated DMS Visibility Warnings

How Can Your Working Group Help?

4 Focus Areas - directly impact CTSO WGs

Standing agenda item Point to discuss in WG Leverage PFS Groups, FHWA, TRB, NOCoE Be a Community of Practice member

Steven J. Cook, P.E.Engineer of Operations & MaintenanceMichigan Department of Transportation

Joey SagalDirector of Operations

Maryland Department of Transportation, SHA

Moving Priority Action Items Forward

1. Illustrate benefits of IMO through case studies and best practices analysis.• Short term efforts from FHWA, CTSO CoP RWM, existing IMO practitioners

2. Set de facto data standards (fixed and mobile ESS) and develop strategies for IMO implementation and integration.• Advancement dependent on Clear Roads PFS initiative• Steve Cook (Michigan DOT) and Joey Sagal (Maryland DOT) will work with AASHTO

CTSO CAV & ITS WGs

2-Integrating Mobile Observations (IMO) Top Priorities:

Moving Priority Actions Forward

3. Develop and document system engineering criteria (con-ops, requirements, design specs, life cycle costs) for VSL for road weather.• In the short term determine current materials available• Develop and describe materials on new and innovative strategies/systems/

algorithms/methodologies for using VSL for road weather and potential inputs to Con-ops documents

• Will need the support/engagement of AASHTO CTSO Operations Strategies WG

4. Develop a research statement for the benefits of VSL for road weather (overall and drill into regulatory versus advisory).• CTSO members to draft materials for the Research in Operations Database• CoP leadership in coordination with Tennessee DOT representative

2-Variable speed Limit (VSL) Top Priorities:

Moving Priority Actions Forward

5. Conduct systems engineering analysis for real-time warnings for road weather which includes technologies, common core specs, best practices, compliance requirements.• Medium term efforts to develop model systems engineering document for real-time

warnings for road weather led by Zach Clark (NCDOT) and Suzette Peplinski (Michigan DOT).

6. Study best practices/use cases in real-time warning systems to identify effective and beneficial applications.• Engage CTSO to support the development of an NCHRP problem statement to

advance industry understanding on human factors and behavioral aspects of effective messaging for real time warning systems. Short to medium term timeline with leads of Joey Sagal (Maryland DOT) and FHWA.

2-Real-Time Warnings Top Priorities:

Moving Priority Actions Forward

7. Understand and communicate PTMs for advancing road weather state of the practice and pilot projects.• Disseminate information on state of the practice [IMRCP Mapping (FHWA), DUAP (Terra

– Form –Michigan DOT), MDSS (state DOT PFS), Pike Alert (FHWA-NCAR), there may be others]

• A short-term timeline with efforts led by Nancy Powell (KCScout) and NOCoE

8. Define PTM needs and goals with the help of diverse group of stakeholders.• In the short term, engage diverse group of stakeholders and develop engagement plans• Share results with the AASHTO CTSO• Dan Fairly (PennDOT) and NOCoE will lead this action

2-Predicitve Traffic Model (PTM) Top Priorities: