Traffic Management Centers: Challenges, Best Practices, and Future Plans

Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) are the "brains" for most freeway and arterial management systems. TMCs monitor and manage the traffic flow and the transportation network, as well as provide traveler information through the deployment of various Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies and proactive management strategies. A TMC also functions as the technical and institutional hub that facilitates interagency coordination and integrates a wide range of traffic management strategies to achieve the collective goal of providing safer, more efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure to meet the mobility needs. The success of a TMC directly influences the efficiency of the transportation network, the economic competitiveness of a region in moving people and goods, and the quality of life for the communities. The intent of this research is to review the state-of-the-practice in TMC operations in order to increase the understanding of the common features that have led to their success. This benchmarking process will help in establishing a general standard in TMC performance, and provide the opportunity for information exchange and sharing among the agencies that will lead to improved performance and services. This research will add to the literature by providing an updated and comprehensive scan of current practices in TMC operations. The results of this study will help agencies assess their practices, learn from others' experiences, improve the performance and services of the centers, and eventually contribute to the efficient management of the transportation network and effective implementation of technologies in responding to traffic conditions and emergencies (such as incidents, special events, and other recurring and non-recurring delays).

• Record URL:
  http://www.nctspm.gatech.edu/pi/traffic-management-centers-challenges-best-practices-and-future-plans

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $65000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT12GUTC12

  A0-UTC-047

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Florida Department of Transportation

  605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  Florida International University

  Miami, FL  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Jin, Xia

• Start Date: 20121101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20140831
• Source Data: RiP Project 33610

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Highway traffic control; Intelligent transportation systems; Mobility; Quality of life; Sustainable transportation; Traffic control centers; Traffic flow; Traffic surveillance
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01640927
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Transportation Systems Productivity and Management
• Contract Numbers: DTRT12GUTC12, A0-UTC-047
• Files: UTC, RiP
• Created Date: Jul 13 2017 1:01AM