# Presentation: 187108

## Planning for Operations A Program Overview

- Indiana Congestion Conference
- August 5, 2008
- Rick Backlund – FHWA Office of Operations
- Harlan Miller – FHWA Office of Planning

## Agenda

- What Is Planning for Operations?
- Where We Are Headed
- Current Activities Underway
- Next Steps for the Program

## What is Planning for Operations?

- Planning for Operations is:
- Coordination between planning and operations
- Coordination between planners and managers for day-to-day operations

**Notes:**
Planning for Operations can be defined as a set of activities that takes place within the context of an agency, jurisdiction, and/or regional entity (MPO) with the intent of making investment decisions and/or establishing and carrying out plans, policies, and procedures that enable and improve transportation systems management and operation. 
Planning for operations activities typically take place within the agency or jurisdiction that has ownership of and/or operating responsibility for aspects of the transportation system.  Some key aspects of planning for operations will also be carried out by an organization responsible for regional transportation planning, especially as they relate to policy agreements and investment decisions.  When regional transportation operations issues (e.g., for emergency management, signal coordination, and traveler information services) are to be addressed, these agency, jurisdictional, and regional planning for operations activities are generally coordinated to ensure success.

## Planning for Operations Program Goals

- To enhance and strengthen both the planning and the operations functions to support regional operations in the 21st Century.
- To enhance the regional decision-making process so that operations investments are on par with investments in construction and system preservation.

## Motivation for the Program

- SAFETEA-LU Requirements
- CMP: “The transportation planning process shall address congestion management through a process that provides for effective management and operation”
- Mgmt and Ops: LRTP’s _***shall***_ contain “Operational and management strategies to improve the performance of existing transportation facilities”
- Secretary’s Congestion Initiative
- 	“Transportation is key to the productivity, and therefore the success, of virtually every business in America. Congestion and delay not only waste our time as individuals, they also burden our businesses and our entire economy with inefficiency and higher costs.”
- 					- Secretary Norman Mineta, 2001

**Notes:**
Transportation plans must include:

“Operational and management strategies to improve the performance of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and maximize the safety and mobility of people and goods”

## Implications for Regional Planning

***Traditional Planning Process***** **
- Elected/appointed officials
- Collective regional plan development
- Long-term planning   focus
- Near-term project funding
- Projects of local and regional significance
- Historical trends

- Improving *regional* transportation *system* performance

**Notes:**
(4 minutes)
Note to Instructor:
     Chart to be shown in two stages, with left side (“O&M”) first, comment on left side; then show whole chart.  This slide addresses the changes on the ‘left’ side of the previous chart

SAY:
     As shown here, traditional “O&M” can be largely characterized by internal agency/jurisdictional focus with the next day’s job in mind.  Let me caveat by noting that while this characterization may be typical, it is not universal.  Some DOTs and public works departments are already have a regional transportation management and operations perspective.

Show full chart

SAY:
     As we look to the future, the aim of transportation operations is broadened from the continuing necessity of internal operations and maintenance to incorporate the broader perspective of enhancing regional transportation system operations.  Introduced on this slide is the term “TSM&O” – pronounced “tissmo,” and meaning “transportation system management and operations” – a term that is used in the draft reauthorization language and central to our discussion today.  Although the term is largely self-explanatory, we will provide a definition for it in this session (and it’s in your glossary).

SAY (as transition to next slide):
	In fact, existing legislation already requires planning agencies to consider transportation system management and operations in the planning process . . .

## Implications for Transportation Operations

***Typical “O&M”***
- Jurisdictional/Agency focused
- Maintenance oriented
- Peak-period focused
- Limited real-time information
- Targeted coordination for specific events
- Output-based measures

- Improving *regional* transportation *system* performance

**Notes:**
(4 minutes)
Note to Instructor:
     Chart to be shown in two stages, with left side (“O&M”) first, comment on left side; then show whole chart.  This slide addresses the changes on the ‘left’ side of the previous chart

SAY:
     As shown here, traditional “O&M” can be largely characterized by internal agency/jurisdictional focus with the next day’s job in mind.  Let me caveat by noting that while this characterization may be typical, it is not universal.  Some DOTs and public works departments are already have a regional transportation management and operations perspective.

Show full chart

SAY:
     As we look to the future, the aim of transportation operations is broadened from the continuing necessity of internal operations and maintenance to incorporate the broader perspective of enhancing regional transportation system operations.  Introduced on this slide is the term “TSM&O” – pronounced “tissmo,” and meaning “transportation system management and operations” – a term that is used in the draft reauthorization language and central to our discussion today.  Although the term is largely self-explanatory, we will provide a definition for it in this session (and it’s in your glossary).

SAY (as transition to next slide):
	In fact, existing legislation already requires planning agencies to consider transportation system management and operations in the planning process . . .

## Where We Are Headed – A “Cultural Shift”

- Where We Are Headed – A “Cultural Shift”

-    **Congestion Management Process**

**Notes:**
Understanding that there are opportunities in existing process,

We set out to identify a range of mechanisms by which planning/operations coordination can be enhanced..  

So we:
-Reviewed of Previous Linking Planning and Operations Working Group materials
-Interviews with practitioners in 10 regions
-Interviews with FHWA staff in relevant operations and planning programs

We defined seven current linkage opportunities.  

Will spend remainder of time
-Describing these seven opportunities
-Giving and example or two, to illustrate what were talking about
-And giving a couple of example actions that can be implemented to take advantage of such opportunities

## Key Aspects of Planning for Operations

- New and improved linkage opportunities between regional operations collaboration activities and regional planning
- Management and operations with the context of the regional transportation planning process; and
- Unprecedented Regional Transportation Operations Collaboration and Coordination (RTOCC) activity

## RTSMO Focus Areas Include:

- Traffic Incident Management
- Traveler Information Systems (for roadways & transit)
- Freeway Management
- Automated Vehicle Location for Transit
- Traffic Signal Coordination

- Work Zone Traffic Management
- Roadway Weather Information
- Electronic Payment (for transit, parking and tolling)
- Freight Management
- Coordination of highway, rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian operations

## Related Strategic Program Areas

- Metro and Statewide Planning
- Congestion Management
- Traffic Incident Management
- Emergency Response and Homeland Security
- Work Zone Traffic Management
- Roadway Weather Management
- Planning for Special Events
- Regional ITS Architecture
- Data Management
- Performance Measures
- Freight Management

## Key Audiences and Stakeholders

- Audiences: Operations Managers and Regional Transportation Planners
- Stakeholder Groups:
- FHWA Resource Center Staff
- FHWA Division Staff
- FTA Regional Offices
- AASHTO
- AMPO & NARC
- NTOC
- NAWG Membership
- TRB Committees

## Key Issues and Challenges to Better Planning for Operations

- Cultural Shifts in Operations & Planning
- Attitudes and Control
- Organizational and Institutional Settings
- Regulatory vs. Voluntary Approaches
- Awareness and Understanding
- Technical Guidance and Tools
- Investments and budgets
- Moving to 21st Century Thinking

## Operations/Planning Joint Pathway

_**DESIRED OUTCOMES**_
***Raise Awareness***
***Motivate Action***
***Guide Evolution***

**Awareness and Outreach**

**Development and Delivery**

**Showcase Best Practices**

**2006                              2007                              2008                             2009**

## Planning for Operations:Current Activities Underway

- Release of Interim Guidebook Documents on CMP & M&O
- Guidebooks Outreach Initiative Commenced
- AMPO “Operations at the Table” Guidebook

## Planning for Operations:Current Activities Underway

- Model Transportation Plans with Regional Operations and Safety Objectives
- Statewide Opportunities for Linking Planning & Operations – A Primer
- National Conference on Advancing Regional Operations

## Planning for Operations:Other Technical Activities

- ITS Deployment Analysis System (IDAS) Support and Maintenance
- IDAS training workshops & outreaches
- Software maintenance and tech support
- Innovative Application of Existing Analysis Tools and Methods
- Workshops
- Outreach activities

## CMP and M&O Interim Guidebooks

- Completion of Interim Guidebooks of Best Practices for the CMP and M&O SAFETEA-LU Requirements
- Commencement of Multi-Faceted Outreach Effort to Promote Messages in the Guidebooks

## How the CMP Supports Management & Operations

- Management & Operations part of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan contains:
- Operational Objectives

- 	The CMP actualizes the  Operations Objectives through a systematic approach for:
- developing performance measures,
- identifying and analyzing problems,
- collecting data,
- developing strategies, and
- monitoring performance

_**Congestion Mgmt Process**_

**Notes:**
A set of tools, including objectives-driven performance measures; data collection and management protocols or systems; potential congestion mitigation strategies and techniques; and analytical methods, which enable transportation planners to optimize use of existing transportation capacity, and to make the most efficient and effective use of new or expanded capacity.
A CMP is required for Transportation Management Areas.

## CMP and M&O Interim Guidebooks

- Interim Documents Have Been Completed
- May:  Guidebooks Posted on Office of Operations Website:
- May to November 30:  Comment Period to Seek Input on the Documents
- Fall 2008:  Guidebooks Will be Finalized

## View the Guidebooks

**FHWA Planning for Operations Website**
- _[http://www.plan4operations.dot.gov](http://www.plan4operations.dot.gov/)__ _
***An Interim Guidebook on the Congestion Management Process in Metropolitan Transportation Planning***
- _[http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/cmpguidebook/cmpguidebook.pdf](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/cmpguidebook/cmpguidebook.pdf)_
***Management & Operations in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan: A Guidebook for Creating an Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach - Interim Draft***
- _[http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/moguidebook/moguidebook.pdf](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/moguidebook/moguidebook.pdf)_

## Interim Guidebooks Outreach Efforts

- Communications Strategy Developed
- Communications Strategy Focus Areas:
- Informational Workshops
- Web Seminars
- Web-based Training Tools
- Updating of FHWA, NHI & NTI Training Courses
- Brochure for Decision Makers
- CD of Ready-Made Presentations

## Roadmap for the Outreach Efforts

## Interim Guidebooks Outreach:Next Steps Scheduled

- June: Completed Web Seminars to DOTs, MPOs and Transit Operators
- July & August:  Six Informational Workshops Across the US Explaining the Guidebooks & Seeking Input
*Special Focus*:  Technical Assistance to TMAs on Improving Quality of Their CMPs

## Locations of the Workshops

- Seattle – July 31
- Chicago – August 7
- Philadelphia – August 12
- Denver – August 14
- Providence – September 9
- Atlanta – September 23
*Special Workshop for California in Sacramento – September 16*

## Other Guidebooks Release Support Efforts

- Fall 2008:  Complete Revisions to FHWA, NHI & NTI Training Courses to Reflect Guidebooks Philosophy
- Winter 2009:  Brochure for Decision Makers Released Explaining Objectives Driven Approach

## Model Transportation Plans with Regional Operations and Safety Objectives

- New Initiative Commencing October 2008
- Outgrowth of Work of Offices of Planning, Operations, Safety & FTA as part of TSP Committee
- Product Envisioned:  Desk Reference Document with Menus of Model Regional Operations and Safety Objectives in Transportation Plans
- Goal:  Provide Best Practice Objectives in Regional Operations and Safety for Small, Medium & Large Sized MPOs

## National Conference on Advancing Regional Operations

- December 2008
- Being Developed with TRB RTSMO Committee
- Focus Will be Metro Areas:  Improving Inter-Agency Collaboration in Operation of Transportation Systems
- Identify Opportunities for Collaboration
- Formulate New Approaches that can be advanced in Metro Areas
- Formulate What Research Needs to Occur to Support this Enhanced Collaboration

## Statewide Planning & Operations(SP&O)

- Advance Operations Driven, Performance Based Approach & Collaboration Between Planning & Operations in State DOTs
- Primer Document Showcasing Opportunities Linking Statewide Planning & Operations Opportunities Being Completed
- Next Steps:  Continued Outreach with the States to Promote the Primer Document to Happen Later in 2008

## FY 2008 and BeyondNext Steps:

***Advancing Our Joint Initiatives in Planning for Operations***
- Completed Guidebooks on CMP and M&O
- Desk Reference Document:  Model Transportation Plans with Regional Operations & Safety Objectives for MPOs
- Statewide Planning for Operations Primer Outreach
- National Conference on Advancing Regional Operations
- Workshops to Showcase Innovative Analysis Methods for Operations

**Notes:**
We will be updating and revising the Program Plan this fall in order to reflect current thinking and needs.

## For More Information

**Contacts:**
- Rick Backlund, FHWA, Office of Operations
- _[richard.backlund@dot.gov](mailto:richard.backlund@dot.gov)_
- Harlan Miller, FHWA, Office of Planning
- _[harlan.miller@dot.gov](mailto:harlan.miller@dot.gov)_