**TMC Pooled Fund Study Quarterly Progress Report**

**December 2007**

###### Project Status

Brief descriptions and status of the current and future projects are
provided in the following paragraphs. Additional information can be
found at the TMC Pooled Fund Study web page at
<http://tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/>.

**[1. List of Completed Projects]{.underline}**

1.  Configuration Management for Transportation Management Systems

2.  Transportation Management Systems Maintenance Concept and Plans

3.  Changeable Message Sign Operation and Messaging

4.  TMC Operator Requirements and Position Descriptions, Phase 1

5.  TMC Operator Requirements and Position Descriptions, Phase 2:
    Interactive Software

6.  Managing Travel for Planned Special Events

7.  Impacts of Dynamically Displaying Messages on Changeable Message
    Signs

8.  TMC Operations Manual

9.  Coordinated Freeway and Surface Street Operational Plans and
    Procedures

10. TMC Staffing and Scheduling for Day-to-Day Operations

11. TMC Clearinghouse Development and Initiation

**[2. On-Going Projects]{.underline}**

**TMC Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Handbook:** The
purpose of this project is to develop a handbook that will serve as a
technical reference that provides guidance and recommended practices on
the need for, how to initiate, sustain, and use information generated
from monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the performance of a
Transportation Management Center (TMC) and its roles, responsibilities,
functions, and support services as related to traffic management.

> Project Champion: Mark Newland, Indiana DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: Brian Park, UVA
>
> Project Cost: \$224,948

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Final Handbook -- Currently undergoing 508 compliance review.

-   Outreach Material (Primer, Fact Sheet, Brochure, Presentation) --
    Currently undergoing 508 compliance review.

**Transportation Management Center Business Planning and Plans
Handbook:** The purpose of this project is to develop a handbook that
provides guidance and best practices on how to develop a TMC business
plan. The handbook will also outline the various business planning
models that have been successfully employed by transportation agencies
to ensure the long-term sustainability of transportation management
centers and associate ITS applications.

> Project Champion: Monica Kress, Caltrans
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: Pierre Pretorius, Kimley-Horn
>
> Project Cost: \$200,000

*Milestones & Products:*

-   Final Handbook -- Currently developing the 508 compliance version.

-   Outreach Material (Primer, Fact Sheet, Brochure, Presentation) --
    Currently developing the 508 compliance versions.

**Developing and Using Concept of Operations in Transportation
Management Systems:** The objective of this project is to develop a
document that provides technical guidance and recommended practices on
the need for and how to develop and use a concept of operations
throughout the life cycle of a transportation management system.

> Project Champion: Manny Agah, Arizona DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Emiliano Lopez
>
> Contractor Lead: Brian Smith, UVA
>
> Project Cost: \$207,926

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Final Technical Document -- Undergoing 508 compliance review.

-   Outreach Material (Primer, Fact Sheet, Brochure, Presentation) --
    Undergoing 508 compliance review.

**Statewide, Multi-State, and Regional TMC Concept of Operations and
Requirements:** The purpose of this project is to develop a document
that provides technical guidance and recommended practices on what are
regional/statewide/multi-state TMCs; pros and cons of the concept; how
to develop and use a concept of operations and requirements for
regional, statewide, and multi-state TMCs; policy, institutional and
technical issues to consider; resources required; stakeholders to
involve; process to develop and implement a statewide/multi-state TMC;
and operations and maintenance considerations.

> Project Champion: Jim McGee, Nebraska DOR
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: Brian Smith, UVA
>
> Project Cost: \$153,791

### 

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Final handbook -- Submitted in March 2007; currently working on the
    508 version.

-   Outreach material (fact sheet, and technical presentation) --
    Submitted in March 2007; currently working on the 508 version.

**Recovery and Mitigation for TMCs:** This project will develop a
technical document that synthesizes current practice and state of
practice as related to TMC redundancy, mitigation, and recovery; and
highlight technical issues to considered, lessons learned, and
recommended practices on the concepts, methods, and procedures for
planning, designing, developing and implementing recovery plans and
redundancy of TMCs.

> Project Champion: Monica Kress, Caltrans
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: Jeffrey Arch, Telvent Farradyne
>
> Project Cost: \$250,000

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Technical document -- Currently developing the 508 compliance
    version.

-   Outreach material (fact sheet and technical presentation) Final
    Draft submitted in March 2007; currently developing the 508
    compliance version.

**Procuring, Managing, and Evaluating the Performance of Contracted TMC
Services:** The major focus of this project is a scan of current TMC
owners to determine outsourcing activities and the methodologies being
utilized. A technical document will be developed to provide guidance and
recommended practice to TMC owners and managers to determine their
outsourcing needs, activities and the methodologies being utilized to
operate and maintain the transportation management systems.

> Project Champion: John Bassett, New York State DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: Christopher Poe, Texas Transportation Institute
>
> Estimated Cost: \$200,000
>
> Period of Performance: 16 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Work Plan -- Submitted on August 30, 2007.

-   Annotated Outline -- Initial version submitted on December 3, 2007.

-   Products: technical document, fact sheet, tri-fold brochure, and
    technical presentation -- Summer 2008.

**Driver Use of Real-Time En-Route Travel Time Information:** The
objectives of this study are to: (1) assess impacts of en-route
real-time travel time/delay/speed information on drivers; (2) define the
most effective way to provide en-route real-time travel time
information; and (3) develop preliminary guidance to practitioners for
delivering en-route travel time information. The focus will be on en
route travel time (or speed, delay) information presented by means of
changeable message sign (CMS) displays.

> Project Champion: Gene Donaldson, Delaware DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Tom Granda
>
> Contractor Lead: Neil Lerner, Westat
>
> Project Cost: \$300,000
>
> Period of Performance: 24 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Literature review report -- Submitted in June 2007.

-   Research work plan -- Final plan submitted in November 2007.

-   Products: A research report and a white paper -- December 2008.

**[3. Projects to Initiate]{.underline}**

**TMC Human Factors Design Guidelines: Requirements Analysis:** This
project will perform a requirements analysis to identify and prioritize
needs for human factors guidance in the design and operation of TMCs.
This project includes developing and conducting a workshop with 5 to 10
TMC subject matter experts to identify and prioritize the key areas
where human factors guidance is most needed. An approach will be
identified for the development of a guidelines document to best support
the identified user requirements.

> Project Champion: Jeff Galas, Illinois DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Tom Granda
>
> Contractor Lead: John Campbell, Battelle
>
> Estimated Cost: \$50,000
>
> Period of Performance: 8 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- January 2008.

-   Products: A project report, 3 sample guidelines, and a Statement of
    Work for guidelines development.

**Integration of TMCs and Law Enforcement -- Needs Assessment:** The
purpose of this project is to assess the current practices and identify
institutional, operational and technical issues and challenges that all
involving agencies are facing with integrating TMCs and law enforcement.
The results of this effort will lead to identification of a list of
topics and issues to be addressed and a series of next steps to be
considered in a further study that is intended to develop a product that
will provide necessary guidance to address agencies' needs.

> Project Champion: John Domina, Nevada DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Tom Granda
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$50,000
>
> Period of Performance: 8 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- January 2008.

-   Product: Findings Report.

**Methodologies to Measure and Quantify TMC Benefits:** The purpose of
this project is to gain a better understanding of and to quantify
benefits in traffic operations due to the implementation of
transportation management centers (TMCs) and the systems,
infrastructure, and functions associated with their operations. This
project will be performed through two phases: (1) Phase 1 -- Produce a
synthesis report and evaluate the feasibility of developing a software
tool for quantifying the benefits of TMCs and (2) Phase 2 -- Develop a
software tool.

> Project Champion: Jim McGee, Nebraska DOR
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$75,000 for Phase 1 and \$175,000 for Phase 2
>
> Period of Performance: 8 Months for Phase 1 and 16 Months for Phase 2

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- January 2008.

-   Phase 1 Products: A Synthesis Report and Phase 2 Work Plan.

**Developing Travel Time Information:** This project will review and
synthesize the state of the practice, successful stories, and lessons
learned around the country, as well as develop a technical document that
provides guidance and recommended practices on the concepts, methods,
techniques, and procedures for TMCs to collect, calculate, and predict
travel time information.

> Project Champion: Jeff Galas, Illinois DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$150,000
>
> Period of Performance: 14 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- January 2008.

-   Products: A technical document and outreach material (fact sheet,
    brochure, and presentation).

**TMC Clearinghouse Support Services, Phase 2:** The purpose of this
project is to provide continued and improved support services for the
TMC Clearinghouse that will be created in the initial phase of the
project. This phase 2 project will evaluate the feedback and recommend
enhancement from the user and improve the functions of the clearinghouse
as appropriate. In addition, this project will involve the support to
facilitate outreach and awareness of TMC Clearinghouse to a broader
audience base.

> Project Champions: TMC PFS Co-Chairs
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$80,000
>
> Period of Performance: 12 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- February 2008.

-   Products: enhanced TMC Clearinghouse, evaluation report on user
    feedback, outreach and marketing material (fact sheet, brochure, and
    presentation).

**Requirements and Position Descriptions for TMC Support Staff:** This
project will build off of the information already compiled for operators
and fill the need for guidance to transportation operating agencies in
developing KSA requirements and job classifications and descriptions for
the TMC maintenance technicians, technology and engineering support, and
system administrative personnel. This project will also include
expanding the capability of the interactive software developed in
previous TMC PFS efforts by incorporating additional information that
will be developed in this project.

> Project Champion: Mark Demidovich, Georgia DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Tom Granda
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$175,000
>
> Period of Performance: 18 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- February 2008.

-   Products: An enhanced interactive software tool, a project report,
    and outreach material (fact sheet, brochure, and presentation).

**Techniques for Managing Service Patrol Operations:** The purpose of
this study is to identify and synthesize current best practices, state
of the practices, models, and innovative techniques for managing service
patrol operations. The synthesis study will address topics including,
but not being limited to, service patrol operation models, service
patrol vehicle and resource requirements, dispatching versus roving
patrol, funding mechanisms including public versus private ownership,
performance tracking, and portable and mobile technology applications.

> Project Champion: TBD
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$100,000
>
> Period of Performance: 12 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- February 2008.

-   Products: A synthesis report, a project fact sheet, and a
    presentation.

**Best Practices for Road Condition Reporting Systems:** The purpose of
this project is to review and synthesize current best practices and
state of the practices in planning, design, and operation of road
condition reporting systems as well as in integrating such systems with
other road weather information/management systems.

> Project Champion: Jim McGee, Nebraska DOR
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$100,000
>
> Period of Performance: 12 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- February 2008.

-   Products: A synthesis report, a project fact sheet, and a
    presentation.

**TMC Infrastructure Maintenance Management System:** This project will
develop a software system to assist TMCs with managing infrastructure
maintenance activities. Approach includes performing an assessment on
available software/systems and agencies' experience. A requirements
analysis will be followed to identify desired system functions and
capabilities.

> Project Champion: Doug Dembowski, Wisconsin DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$200,000
>
> Period of Performance: 16 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- Spring 2008.

-   Products: A maintenance management software system.

**TMC Staffing & Scheduling for Day-to-Day Operations, Phase 2: Software
Development:** This project will build upon previous effort and develop
an interactive software tool that TMC managers, supervisors and human
resources personnel can use to quickly and easily assess available
staffing resources and needs, perform the workload analysis, and make
scheduling and shift operation decisions for immediate and future needs.

> Project Champion: Mark Demidovich, Georgia DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$175,000
>
> Period of Performance: 15 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- Spring 2008.

-   Products: A web-based interactive software tool and outreach
    materials.

**Developing TMC Operator Training Program Guidelines:** The objective
of this project is to develop training and capacity building guidelines
for TMC operators. These guidelines will include outlines of training
modules. Processes for certification and re-certification for different
operator positions will be analyzed. The project will also develop
recommendations for the National Highway Institute to develop a
comprehensive training program.

> Project Champion: TBD
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Tom Granda
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$75,000
>
> Period of Performance: 10 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- Summer 2008.

-   Products: TMC operator training program development guidelines.

**Knowledge Needs Assessment and Workshops for TMC Owners, Managers and
Operators:** This project will conduct a comprehensive assessment on
knowledge needs for TMC owners, managers and operators to effectively
and efficiently perform their day-to-day tasks. The project will also
identify issues and needs and outline strategies and recommended
initiatives to address the needs and issues.

> Project Champion: Todd Kramascz, Minnesota DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$125,000
>
> Period of Performance: 12 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- Summer 2008.

-   Products: A needs assessment report, workshops/video
    conferences/webcasts, and a project report.

**TMC Data Capture for Performance and Mobility Measures:** This project
will synthesize best practices and lessons learned related to collecting
and archiving TMC operation data for monitoring, evaluating and
reporting performance and mobility measures at system levels as well as
for specific scenarios or locations.

> Project Champion: John Bassett, New York State DOT
>
> FHWA Work Order Manager: Raj Ghaman
>
> Contractor Lead: TBD
>
> Estimated Cost: \$100,000
>
> Period of Performance: 12 Months

### *Milestones & Products:*

-   Anticipated project initiation -- Summer 2008.

-   Products: A synthesis report, a project fact sheet, and a
    presentation.