Reducing the Impacts of Congestion

Advancing Speed Harmonization

Speed harmonization uses transportation network data to generate 

optimal speed recommendations to drivers. It has the potential to 

create smoother and safer traffic flow during recurring congestion 

periods, reduce travel time, and reduce fuel consumption. In 

collaboration with partners at the Virginia Department of 

Transportation, researchers will select a living laboratory section 

of freeway in northern Virginia to simulate speed harmonization. 

Traffic flow optimization models and algorithms will be developed 

and tested to establish target speeds on different sections of the 

freeway. The target speed guidance will be communicated directly 

to vehicles with minimal distraction of the driver, allowing the 

driver to maintain supervisory control at all times. 

Using Intelligent Traffic Signals

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Saxton 

Transportation Operations Lab’s Intelligent Intersection uses 

advanced signal controls to enable operations applications. For 

example, the intersection’s signal phase and timing (SPaT) 

message was updated to allow for actuated and active signal control. The new SPaT format is deployed in Ann Arbor, MI, as part 

of the Safety Pilot Model Deployment initiative. To further advance 

the development of vehicle-to-infrastructure enabling technologies, 

SPaT messages will be integrated with more accurate positioning 

solutions; wireless communications technologies; larger scale, more 

detailed maps with attribute layers such as lane lines, pavement 

edges, and road signs; and more robust interoperable roadside 

equipment. All of these developments will support cutting edge 

safety, mobility, and environmental applications.

Predicting Congestion in Work Zones

This research seeks to determine how driver car-following behavior 

differs between freeways and work zones. An instrumented vehicle 

equipped with radar, a Global Positioning System, speed sensors, 

and cameras will measure the relative distance and speed under 

the two network conditions. Participants will be recruited to drive 

the vehicle through a living laboratory established along a freeway work zone in northern Virginia. This research will provide 

threshold values to improve the calibration of car-following 

algorithms in simulation. These improved simulations will allow 

operators to predict congestion in freeway work zones and test 

strategies to improve throughput and travel time.

Improving System Mobility, Efficiency, and 

Reliability

Improving Environmental Performance Through Connected 

Vehicle Technology

Applications for the Environment: Real-Time Information Synthesis 

(AERIS) is a U.S. Department of Transportation Intelligent 

Transportation Systems (ITS) initiative to identify transformative 

concepts that will substantially improve environmental performance of vehicles. Through seven initial projects, researchers 

applied their previous work to AERIS to identify eco-friendly 

technologies and applications. The most promising applications 

were selected to undergo a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis. 

For example, the Eco Approach to Traffic Signals application will 

allow vehicles to utilize the most fuel-efficient and lowest emissionsproducing speed when approaching and leaving an intersection. 

The application was tested at FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway 

Research Center, where a test vehicle equipped with connected 

vehicle technology suggested a vehicle speed for approaching 

and departing the intersection through an algorithm designed to 

improve environmental performance. The experiment demonstrates 

up to a 12 percent reduction in environmental emissions (and fuel 

consumption) depending on approach speed. This experiment will 

allow for realistic modeling to assess the contribution ITS can make 

to improving environmental performance.

Using State-of-the-Art Laboratories

The Saxton Lab houses state-of-the-art modeling and simulation 

tools and cutting-edge communication technologies to support 

the development of applications for advanced operations. The lab 

allows multidisciplinary teams to work together to generate new 

ideas and advance the state of the practice. R&D capabilities at 

the Saxton Lab are organized into three testbeds: the Data 

Resources Testbed (DRT), the Concepts and Analysis Testbed 

(CoAT), and the Cooperative Vehicle-Highway Testbed (CVHT).

DRT supports the collection, processing, analysis, formatting, and 

storage of data from the Saxton Lab to support the development 

and advancement of applications. CoAT enables the development 

and evaluation of the potential benefits of large-scale deployments 

of these applications through modeling and simulation. The Saxton 

Lab’s modeling capabilities provide opportunities for researchers 

to explore innovative solutions with no safety risks and minimal 

expenses. The results of these simulations provide a basis for testing 

the best outcomes on CVHT. CVHT provides testing facilities for 

collecting data on the performance impacts that new concepts and 

equipment will have.

Delivering Next Generation Cruise Control

The ITS Dynamic Mobility Applications (DMA) program seeks to 

create applications that fully leverage frequently collected and 

rapidly disseminated multisource data gathered from connected 

travelers, vehicles, and infrastructure. The goal of this program 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/operations/

The Office of Operations Research and 

Development (R&D) produces technology 

and tools to improve transportation system 

productivity, efficiency, and performance 

by proactively anticipating congestion and 

managing traffic. 

Office of Operations R&D

Federal Highway Administration  TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER
FHWA-HRT-13-020

HRDO-01/04-13(2M)E

is to improve transportation network 

efficiency and mobility while reducing 

negative environmental impacts and safety 

risks. Under this program, a high-priority 

mobility application, Intelligent Network 

Flow Optimization, builds on the results of 

a recent Exploratory Advanced Research 

(EAR) project that suggests that cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) can 

effectively double the practical capacity of 

an urban freeway. With CACC, vehicles 

communicate with each other and with the 

infrastructure to safely follow each other at 

closer distances, eliminating gaps in traffic 

and improving traffic flow at congested 

intersections. Based on the success of the 

EAR project, the DMA program will 

facilitate the ongoing development of 

CACC technologies and applications in 

order to advance the benefits of the application to transportation system operations. 

Advancing Operations Processes 

and Decisions

Creating Living Laboratories and Forming 

Innovative Partnerships

With the advent of new and emerging 

transportation technologies (e.g., cooperative vehicle-highway systems) and research 

disciplines (e.g., cyber physical systems), 

there is an increasing need for researchers 

and owners/operators of testing facilities 

to forge partnerships and quickly share 

their knowledge and transfer technologies. 

This need is especially pronounced when 

researchers are seeking on-road testing 

facilities (i.e., living laboratories) to perform 

operations-related field research. To leverage the growing investment in living laboratories throughout the United States, FHWA 

is developing a knowledge resource that will 

identify transportation operations research 

resources to allow for more efficient and 

timely exchange of information and 

technology. Ultimately, this project will 

accelerate the technology transfer of 

innovative solutions from laboratories to 

streets and will enable eventual national 

deployment.

Improving Transportation Analysis Tools 

The Office of Operations R&D is conducting research to advance the understanding 

of traveler choices and their impacts on the 

operations and safety of the transportation 

system. This project will encourage the 

transportation community to develop and 

use national and regional traveler choice 

data and adjustment factors to improve 

transportation models and forecasts. It will 

provide a suite of traveler choice data and 

adjustment factors for State and local 

agencies to incorporate into and enhance 

their existing transportation analysis tools. 

Improving Transportation Planning and 

Operations using New Data Hub Approach

Simulation models used in transportation 

analysis are not well integrated among 

different domains (e.g., operations, safety, 

and environment) and for different levels 

of analysis. A prototype data hub and data 

schema called Nexta was developed to 

input data and display simulation results 

in a common format in an open source 

environment. The prototype was tested in 

Portland, OR, and Tucson, AZ. Results 

from the tests showed that the data hub 

concept overcomes many of the previous 

shortcomings associated with integrated 

modeling applications and creates 

significant time savings when conducting 

analyses.

Managing Multisource Traffic Data

FHWA is investigating ways to take 

advantage of new types and sources of data 

that can support transportation operations 

solutions. Many of these new types of data 

have been enabled by the proliferation of 

wireless devices within the transportation 

system. Combined with traditional data, 

these new data sources can provide greater 

insight into the real-time status of transportation systems and can provide immediate 

feedback on the impacts of transportation 

management strategies. A research data 

exchange (RDE) is being developed under 

the ITS connected vehicle research 

program to host and provide public access 

to a wealth of data that can aid in the 

development of new transportation 

strategies that improve mobility, safety, 

and the environment. A weather data 

environment will work in conjunction 

with RDE to provide access to atmospheric 

weather, road weather, and mobile-based 

weather observations. In addition, a 

framework that allows individual transportation agencies to share their data is 

being developed so that operations data 

can be incorporated into regional planning 

analyses and the development of regional 

system performance measures. 

Promoting Intermodal Freight

Fostering Automated Freight Capabilities 

for Energy Conservation

Automation and truck platooning can 

improve safety by reducing driver errors 

and improving mobility by allowing higher 

traffic flows. Moreover, automation demonstrates energy conservation benefits to 

the trucking industry by preventing fueldraining stop and starts during heavy 

congestion times and at intersections. 

FHWA’s EAR program is studying the 

automation of heavy trucks to improve 

the feasibility and operations of truck 

platooning. Improvements in the technology 

will promote the moving of goods across 

the country in a more efficient manner, 

enabling the trucking industry to increase 

cost savings, reduce fuel consumption, 

improve environmental impacts, and 

increase productivity. 

Increasing Highway Safety and 

Resiliency

Improving Traveler Information 

Technologies to Enhance Safety 

and Mobility 

FHWA is conducting research to better 

manage driver behavior in the dilemma 

zone (i.e., the decisionmaking dilemma of 

whether to speed through or slow to a stop 

during a yellow light at a signalized intersection). Increasingly effective applications, 

such as the prototypes of dedicated shortrange communication (DSRC), roadside 

equipment, onboard equipment, and 

SPaT, are being developed to alleviate this 

problem, including the Small Business 

Innovation Research Program’s dilemma 

zone warning system and highway 

incident detection and warning system. 

The dilemma zone warning system utilizes 

real-time traveler information technologies to advise drivers on whether to stop or 

proceed through an intersection in order to 

avoid a collision, thereby improving safety 

and efficiency at high-speed intersections. 

The incident detection and warning system 

reduces secondary crashes and delays by 

warning drivers of non-recurring incidents 

on the roadway. These warning systems can 

not only decrease crashes but also improve 

traffic flow at signalized intersections.

Using Enabling Technologies, Navigation, 

and Communications 

Many of today’s operations technologies 

were initially developed for nontransportation purposes and must now 

be tailored to meet the needs of the transportation environment. For example, 

wireless communications technologies 

such as DSRC are being improved to meet 

the critical safety needs of a connected 

vehicle environment. More accurate and 

reliable positioning, navigation, and 

timing technologies are being developed to 

determine specific vehicle locations within 

fast-moving traffic. Advanced sensors are 

being developed to automatically detect 

pedestrians at crosswalks, better identify 

motorcycles and bicycles, and determine 

arterial travel times and origin/destination 

pairs. Finally, assistive technologies are 

being adapted to address the unique needs 

of travelers with disabilities.