NTOC National SummitNTOC National SummitNovember 7, 2011November 7, 2011

Washington, DCWashington, DC

Aliyah HortonAliyah Horton Douglas E. Noble, P.E., PTOE Douglas E. Noble, P.E., PTOE

Operations: How Far Have We Come? Operations: How Far Have We Come?

How Far Have We ComeHow Far Have We Come 1999- National Dialogue1999- National Dialogue

1999-National Steering Committee on 1999-National Steering Committee on Transportation OperationsTransportation Operations

2001-National Dialogue on Transportation 2001-National Dialogue on Transportation OperationsOperations

2001-National Transportation Operations 2001-National Transportation Operations CoalitionCoalition

2001 National Summit on 2001 National Summit on Transportation OperationsTransportation Operations

Theme:Theme: Building the Future of Building the Future of Transportation OperationsTransportation Operations

Goal:Goal: Identify and discuss key strategies Identify and discuss key strategies to advance operations in both the to advance operations in both the reauthorization of TEA-21 and Operations reauthorization of TEA-21 and Operations ProgramsPrograms

Questions AddressedQuestions Addressed What elements are needed to advance What elements are needed to advance

transportation operations/system transportation operations/system management?management?

Where is common ground on issues being Where is common ground on issues being discussed?discussed?

What areas still need substantial additional What areas still need substantial additional thought, consideration, research?thought, consideration, research?

Summary of RecommendationsSummary of Recommendations• Increase the focus on transportation operations at the federal,

state, regional and local levels in response to customer needs.

• Define transportation operations in a way that is meaningful to the public, public officials and professionals. Foster greater awareness of the value of transportation operations.

• Enhance performance of the transportation system through performance-based decision-making and an increased focus on safety, reliability and security. Support development of the necessary information infrastructure (“infostructure”) for data collection.

Summary of Recommendations Summary of Recommendations Contd.Contd.

Create linkages between traditional capital planning processes and planning for operations.

•Support and assist homeland security initiatives.

•Facilitate accelerated evolution of cultural change within transportation agencies to adopt policies and practices that support operations.

•Enhance interagency coordination and cooperation.•Continue funding and support for operations programs and policies at the federal level and encourage greater participation at the state, regional and local levels.

Big GoalsBig Goals

What did we accomplish?What did we accomplish?

Original NTOC MissionOriginal NTOC Mission To improve management and

operation of the nation's existing transportation system so that its performance will exceed customer expectations.

Original NTOC GoalsOriginal NTOC Goals Minimizing congestion and improving safety on our area wide Minimizing congestion and improving safety on our area wide

metropolitan transportation systems and priority corridors.metropolitan transportation systems and priority corridors. Implementing and sustaining effective transportation operations Implementing and sustaining effective transportation operations

centers.centers. Reducing delays and disruptions caused by incidents.Reducing delays and disruptions caused by incidents. Minimizing the adverse effects of work zones, including duration, Minimizing the adverse effects of work zones, including duration,

congestion and safety.congestion and safety. Providing effective transportation prior to, during and after Providing effective transportation prior to, during and after

emergencies and disasters.emergencies and disasters. Minimizing traffic tie-ups in conjunction with special events.Minimizing traffic tie-ups in conjunction with special events. Reducing congestion and delay by regular re-timing of traffic Reducing congestion and delay by regular re-timing of traffic

signals.signals. Providing timely and accurate information to travelers.Providing timely and accurate information to travelers. Improving the linkages between modes for passengers and Improving the linkages between modes for passengers and

freight. freight. Providing reliable and quick response Mayday systems for Providing reliable and quick response Mayday systems for

travelers.travelers.

Original NTOC GoalsOriginal NTOC GoalsWe Know We Are Successful When:We Know We Are Successful When:Customer surveys indicate consistently increasing Customer surveys indicate consistently increasing satisfaction with the performance of the transportation satisfaction with the performance of the transportation system.system.The focus of decision makers and transportation agencies The focus of decision makers and transportation agencies includes continuous performance based delivery of services in includes continuous performance based delivery of services in addition to implementation of individual projects.addition to implementation of individual projects.Performance measures are in place that are understandable, Performance measures are in place that are understandable, measurable, and are used effectively in making decisions measurable, and are used effectively in making decisions improving transportation systems performance.improving transportation systems performance.Managing and operating the transportation system are Managing and operating the transportation system are integral parts of a funding and staffing continuum that also integral parts of a funding and staffing continuum that also includes planning, design, construction and maintenance.includes planning, design, construction and maintenance.

NTOC Action TeamsNTOC Action TeamsNTOC was founded on 7 action teams and one subcommittee. Activities NTOC was founded on 7 action teams and one subcommittee. Activities for these action teams have currently concluded and the results can be for these action teams have currently concluded and the results can be found below: found below:

Making the Business CaseMaking the Business CasePerformance Measures Performance Measures Operations and PlanningOperations and PlanningTraffic SignalsTraffic SignalsOutreach to Non-elected OfficialsOutreach to Non-elected OfficialsDeveloping Transportation Operations ProfessionalsDeveloping Transportation Operations ProfessionalsSmall Urban/RuralSmall Urban/RuralNational Associations Working Group (NAWG): the formal committee for National Associations Working Group (NAWG): the formal committee for outreach and communications under the NTOC umbrella, serving to outreach and communications under the NTOC umbrella, serving to inform and educate about ITS and Transportation Management and inform and educate about ITS and Transportation Management and Operations. Operations.

NTOC Products NTOC Products The Business Case for Transportation System Management The Business Case for Transportation System Management

and Operations [Michael Morris, Syracuse Univ.]and Operations [Michael Morris, Syracuse Univ.] NTOC Performance Measure Initiative Final ReportNTOC Performance Measure Initiative Final Report Led to Guide to Benchmarking Operations Performance Led to Guide to Benchmarking Operations Performance

Measures [NCHRP 20-7/ Stan Young UMd]Measures [NCHRP 20-7/ Stan Young UMd] Traffic Signal Self Assessment and Traffic Signal Self Assessment and

Report Card 2007, 2009, 2012 Report Card 2007, 2009, 2012 Outreach and communications [Platform evolving with Outreach and communications [Platform evolving with

technology and social media]technology and social media]• ForumsForums• NewsletterNewsletter

Developing Transportation ProfessionalsDeveloping Transportation Professionals• WebcastWebcast• Resources Resources

Current NTOC VisionCurrent NTOC Vision

NTOC will be successful when transportation NTOC will be successful when transportation decision-makers actively pursue and deploy decision-makers actively pursue and deploy transportation system management and transportation system management and operations strategies and technologies to operations strategies and technologies to enhance the performance of the nation’s enhance the performance of the nation’s surface transportation system, with surface transportation system, with Transportation Operations being recognized as Transportation Operations being recognized as an integral part of a transportation funding and an integral part of a transportation funding and staffing continuum along with planning, design, staffing continuum along with planning, design, construction and maintenance.construction and maintenance.

Current NTOC MissionCurrent NTOC Mission

NTOC will advance the development and NTOC will advance the development and implementation of Transportation Operations implementation of Transportation Operations strategies by working cooperatively to: strategies by working cooperatively to: Identify and communicate the proven benefits of Identify and communicate the proven benefits of Transportation Operations to all stakeholders, including but not Transportation Operations to all stakeholders, including but not limited to policy makers, practitioners, communities and the limited to policy makers, practitioners, communities and the media. media. Develop and provide support for the Transportation Operations Develop and provide support for the Transportation Operations practitioner community through educational and technical practitioner community through educational and technical resources. resources. Provide a forum for Transportation Operations leaders and Provide a forum for Transportation Operations leaders and stakeholders to share news, best practices, and strategies.stakeholders to share news, best practices, and strategies.