Current Program Activities Report

March 2013

This report has been updated and summarizes recent activity of selected programs within the Office of Operations. The revisions reflect program titles that are consistent throughout the Office of Operations. For additional information about these or other activities, contact the program manager noted in each section. Additionally, more information may be available on the Office of Operations' Web site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov. This report will be updated quarterly.

A listing of the Office of Operations' publications is listed under their respective program at: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publications.htm.

Programs

Access Management
Active Traffic Management and Managing Travel Demand
Arterial Management
Corridor Traffic Management
Emergency Transportation Operations
Facilitating Integrated ITS Deployment
Freeway Management
Freight Analysis
Freight Infrastructure
Freight Operations and Technology
Freight Professional Development
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Performance Measurement
Planned Special Events
Planning for Operations
Real-Time Traveler Information
Road Weather Management
Tolling and Pricing Opportunities
Traffic Analysis Tools
Traffic Incident Management
Travel Demand Management
Vehicle Size and Weight
Work Zone Management

MAP-21 Addendum

SAFETEA-LU Addendum

Office of Operations Program Activities Report

Access Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/access_mgmt

Access Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Access Management is no longer a fully developed program within the Office of Operations. However, we remain engaged at the national level through continued participation on national committees and panels, such as the TRB Access Management Committee, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program panels as they relate to this topic.	Neil Spiller	Ongoing

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Active Traffic Management and Managing Travel Demand

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/atdm/index.htm

Active Traffic Management and Managing Travel Demand Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) Concept of Operations, Capability Assessment, and Analysis Plan Reports — These reports are foundational research that will be building blocks for the AMS Simulation Testbed work.	James Colyar	April 2013	Publication — Research
ATDM-DMA AMS Testbed Planning - Requirements, Framework, Evaluation Plans, and Testbed Screening — This builds off of the ATDM AMS foundational research and combines the analytical requirements of the Dynamic Mobility Applications (DMA) Program as well.	James Colyar	June 2013	Publication — Research
ATDM Highway Capacity Manual Analysis Guide, Computational Engine, and Workshops Guide and Computational Engine Complete — This guide provides the basis for a new Chapter 35 of the Highway Capacity Manual that allows analysis of operational strategies under varying demand and capacity conditions.	James Colyar / Jim Hunt	June 2013	Publication — Guidance and Training
ATDM Knowledge and Technology Transfer Workshops — A series of workshops will be delivered to advance the research, guidance, and evaluation needs for ATDM.	Jim Hunt	December 2013	Workshop
Active Traffic Management Implementation Guide	James Colyar / Bob Sheehan	June 2014	Publication — Technical
ATDM Technology Transfer Workshops — A series of workshops designed to raise awareness and understanding of ATDM as a concept and as an implementation strategy to State, regional and local transportation agencies. The workshop will be designed to promote a discussion and appreciation of ATDM concepts and techniques that support reliability, predictability and mobility for the transportation system user.	Jim Hunt	December 2013	Workshop
Active Traffic Management (ATM) Methodologies for the Highway Capacity Manual, Development and Peer workshops — Validation testing on the existing ATDM methodologies and development of computational engine to support testing and use of the methods. Workshops are being delivered to receive feedback on the methodology and assist states and local agencies more effectively analyze operational strategies. The workshops also will be key to gaining a peer evaluation and assessment that will be essential in validating and improving the methodology for eventual acceptance by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40).	Jim Hunt	June 2013	Workshop
Advanced Parking Pricing and Management — Help cities throughout the country learn from the successful SFpark Urban Partnership Project that uses demand-based pricing of on-street and municipal parking to eliminate the need to circle for parking (which is estimated to be responsible for 30 percent of city congestion). This two-phase project includes: (1) the creation of "Contemporary Approaches to Parking Pricing: A Primer," and (2) the development of technical specifications and documentation, along with lessons learned, of the strategies used to implement SFpark. Products associated with both phases will be shared with parking managers interested in applying demand-based parking pricing strategies in their own cities.	Allen Greenberg	Phase 1, completed in June 2012; Phase 2, to be completed by April 2013	Publication — Guidance

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Arterial Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/arterial_mgmt

Arterial Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) Implementation — The Every Day Counts (EDC) Initiative established a 24 month national goal to mainstream the implementation of Adaptive Signal Control Technology as a tool to improve coordinated traffic signal operation. Over the course of the initiative over 120 systems were deployed or programmed for implementation. Several resources are available to assist state and local agencies to successfully implement ASCT including guidance, training, technical assistance and peer-to-peer support. Visit the Arterial Management Web site for information on how to access these resources.	Eddie Curtis	Ongoing	Publication, Outreach, Training, Technical Assistance, Peer-to-Peer
National Traffic Signal Management and Operations Curriculum — Four National Highway Institute (NHI) courses have been developed and are currently set for pilot delivery. The courses carry a core theme of Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Tactics (GOST) that relate traffic signal management, design and operations activities to fulfillment of good basic service that is consistent with stakeholder driven needs and objectives. The Courses include: NHI 133122 – Traffic Signal Timing Concepts NHI 133123 – Implementing Successful Advanced Traffic Signal System Projects Including Adaptive Control Course Outcomes NHI 133124 – Evaluating Performance of Traffic Signal Systems NHI 133125 – Successful Traffic Signal Management: The Basic Service Approach	Eddie Curtis	Upcoming	Training — classroom
Regional Traffic Signal Program Review (Process Review) — The FHWA Resource Center Operations Technical Service Team has conducted Regional Traffic Signal Operations Reviews in over twelve metropolitan regions. The objective of the program is to improve regional consistency in traffic signal management across jurisdictional boundaries, leverage regional expertise to improve operations and maintenance practices, improve training, outreach and maximize resources.	Eddie Curtis	Ongoing
Localized Bottleneck Reduction Program Guidance — The purpose of the program is to bring attention to mitigating local, operationally influenced bottleneck locations; e.g., lane drops, merge areas, poorly functioning signals, ramp metering, and peak hour shoulder use. This program seeks to address these problem areas in the short term, and hopefully using less structurally-intensive means, as opposed to waiting for a more expensive mega project or corridor sized improvement. In short, this program is to local, spot improvements, as tolling and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are to corridors, and as urban partnerships are to regional solutions. In Fiscal Year 2013 we will continue to bring the message to the state agencies and Metropolitan Planning Organizations through our one-day Bottleneck "summits".	Neil Spiller	Ongoing

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Corridor Traffic Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/program_areas/corridor_traffic_mgmt.htm

Corridor Traffic Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Stakeholder Workshops — A series of workshops will be held to advance the research, deployment, and evaluation of ICM. Topics – Concept of Operations; Requirements; Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation; and Evaluation	Robert Sheehan	December 2013	Workshop
Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Evaluation of Demonstration Projects — ICM deployments in Dallas, Texas and San Diego, California. Schedule: Evaluation	Robert Sheehan	January 2015	Research and Guidance
Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Evaluation of Demonstration Projects — Comprehensive evaluation of ICM deployments in Dallas, Texas and San Diego, California. Schedule: Evaluation Framework – May 2012, Evaluation Test Plans – September 2012 (7 test plans: Technical Capability, Decision Support Systems, Corridor Performance, Institutional and Organizational, Traveler Response, Benefit Cost, and Air Quality); Pre-deployment Data Collection – February 2013, Post-Deployment Data Collection – September 2014, Evaluation Report – January 2015)	Robert Sheehan	January 2015	Research and Guidance
Integrated Corridor Management Traveler Behavior Survey — In support of the ICM Evaluation effort, a traveler behavior survey will be conducted to better understand how the changes in corridor operations affect travelers' choices.	Robert Sheehan	October 2014	Research and Guidance
Integrated Corridor Management Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation	Robert Sheehan	January 2015	Research and Guidance
Integrated Corridor Management Planning (associated with Planning for Operations program)	Robert Sheehan / Wayne Berman	March 2014	Publication — Technical
Integrated Corridor Management Guidance – Topics: Implementation; Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation	Robert Sheehan	June 2013	Research and Guidance

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Emergency Transportation Operations

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/index.htm

Emergency Transportation Operations Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Debris Removal from Roads during Emergency Operations — In response to the impact of Hurricane Ike on Galveston and the complexity of debris removal of road during Traffic Incident Management (TIM) and disaster operations, the Emergency Transportation Operations Team will participate on a new National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) panel (20-59[37]) to develop a Debris Management Handbook for State and Local DOTs Debris Clearance.	Kimberly Vásconez	Began in Fiscal Year 2011 and ongoing: End Fiscal Year 2013 (Project Delayed)	Publication — Guidance
The Emergency Transportation Operations Team will participate on a new NCHRP panel (20-59[36]) to develop a Catastrophic Transportation Emergency Management Guidebook.	Laurie Radow	Started Fiscal Year 2011	Publication — Guidance
The Emergency Transportation Operations Team will participate on a new NCHRP panel (20-59[38]) to address Voice and Data Interoperability for Transportation.	Laurie Radow	Started Fiscal Year 2010
The Emergency Transportation Operations Team will participate on a new NCHRP panel (20-59[39]) to address Synthesis of Airport Closings and Emergency Evacuation Problems.	Kimberly Vásconez	Started Fiscal Year 2012

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Facilitating Integrated ITS Deployment

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/int_its_deployment

Facilitating Integrated ITS Deployment Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Distance-Learning — FHWA is working with the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) to provide the right ITS Standards training at the right time. Registration for training can be done at: http://www.ite.org/education/clearinghouse/search.asp?StartRec=1.	Stephen Clinger	Completed	Training — On-Line
ITS Standards Verification — FHWA is working with the JPO to develop a Center-to-center (C2C) ITS Standards Reference Implementation (RI). The RI is a tool used to verify that a deployed system is conformant to the ITS C2C Traffic Management Data Dictionary Standard Version 3.0 (TMDDv3) Standard.	Stephen Clinger	June 2013	Software — or Other Technical Resource
Architecture Use and Maintenance On-Line Tutorial — FHWA is working with the JPO to develop several on-line versions of the Architecture Use and Maintenance Workshop. The workshop objective is to provide comprehensive instruction on the use and maintenance of an ITS architecture with a focus on use of architecture in planning process as well as ITS project development process. The course can be accessed from FHWA's Office of Operations Facilitating Integrated ITS Deployment Web site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/int_its_deployment.	Stephen Clinger	June 2013	Training — On-Line
Transportation Management Area (TMA) Certification Guide — FHWA is developing a TMA Certification guide/matrix specific to Regional Architectures (RA) and compliance with 940.09. The guide will provide specific recommended actions for the TMA's to take for using and maintaining their RA.	Stephen Clinger	September 2013

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Freeway Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freewaymgmt

Freeway Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
TMC Pooled Fund Study — The goal of the Transportation Management Center (TMC) Pooled-Fund Study (PFS) (SPR-2(207)) is to assemble regional, state, and local transportation management agencies and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to (1) identify human-centered and operational issues that are common among TMC operators and managers; (2) suggest approaches to addressing identified issues; (3) initiate and monitor projects intended to address identified issues; (4) provide guidance and recommendations and disseminate results; (5) provide leadership and coordinate with others with TMC interests; and (6) promote and facilitate technology transfer related to TMC issues nationally.	Jimmy Chu	Ongoing	Publication — Technical
High Occupancy Vehicle/Managed Use Lane Pooled Fund Study — Ongoing research program that is selected by the 10 participating states. Current research on: Overhead Lane Control signals Dynamic use of Shoulder Lanes Synthesis of Dynamic Pricing Algorithms	Greg Jones	Ongoing

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Freight Analysis

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis

Freight Analysis Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) — Updated data and analytical products based on version 3 of the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF3) are now available. FAF3.4 updates previous FAF estimates, integrating data from the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey and other sources. New data include estimates of freight tonnage and value by commodity type, mode, origin, and destination for 2007, 2009, and 2015– 2040 in 5 year increments. An assignment of highway based flows for 2007 and 2040 has been conducted and is being used to develop a series of state and regional freight maps. Additional product in development includes freight ton-mile estimates by mode, reprocessing of historical data to create a consistent time series, and development of updated annual estimates for 2010. Work is being completed on an assessment of data quality for national estimates, evaluate models used to disaggregate regional flows to smaller geography, evaluating network assignment techniques, and establishing error estimates for FAF3 regional and network databases.	Ed Strocko	Ongoing	Publication — Technical
National Freight Network — Refer to MAP-21 Addendum Section 1115	Ed Strocko	December 2013	Policy or Regulatory Action
Freight & Economics — Training being developed to provide information on the links between freight transportation and the economy and freight transportation cost/benefit analysis.	Ed Strocko	Ongoing

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Freight Infrastructure

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/infrastructure

Freight Infrastructure Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
State Freight Advisory Committees — Refer to MAP-21 Addendum Section 1117	Crystal Jones		Publication — Guidance
State Freight Plans — Refer to MAP-21 Addendum Section 1118	Crystal Jones		Publication — Guidance
Jason's Law Truck Parking Study — Refer to Map-21 Addendum Section 1401 (Truck Parking Facilities Program)	Tom Kearney	Ongoing
Prioritization of Projects to Improve Freight Movement — Refer to MAP-21 Addendum Section 1116	Crystal Jones
Projects of National and Regional Significance — Refer to MAP-21 Addendum Section 1120	Ed Strocko	Ongoing
National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program — Refer to Program Web Page	Ed Strocko	Ongoing
Freight Intermodal Distribution Pilot Program — Refer to Program Web Page	Ed Strocko	Ongoing
TIGER Discretionary Grant Program — TIGER Discretionary Grant program provides funding for surface transportation infrastructure via a competitive process. The first round of awards was announced in February 2010, the second round was announced October 2010, the third round in December 2011, and the fourth round in June 2012. Eighteen out of 26 Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 (TIGER III) projects, and ten out of 24 FY 2012 (TIGER IV) projects, are currently under agreement with the grantee. All FY 2011 and FY 2012 funds must be obligated by September 30, 2013. FHWA is currently administering/implementing 118 TIGER projects with a value of over $1.5B. Information is available at: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/infrastructure/tiger/index.htm.	Amy Fox	Ongoing

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Freight Operations and Technology

Web Site: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/technology/

Freight Operations and Technology Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Freight Advanced Traveler Information Systems (FRATIS) — FRATIS is a freight-specific technology application to improve freight operational efficiency. FRATIS includes the following: Freight-Specific Dynamic Travel Planning and Performance – This application bundle will include all of the traveler information, dynamic routing, and performance monitoring elements identified in the development of user needs for this project. The application will leverage existing data in the public domain, as well as emerging private sector applications, to provide benefits to both sectors. Intermodal Drayage Operations Optimization – This application bundle will combine container load matching and freight information exchange systems to fully optimize drayage operations, thereby, minimizing bobtails/dry runs and wasted miles and spreading out truck arrivals at intermodal terminals throughout the day. These improvements would lead to corresponding benefits in terms of air quality and traffic congestion. Pilot projects are being conducted at 3 locations.	Randy Butler	Ongoing	Software or other technical resource
Border Technology — The Office of Freight Management and Operations (HOFM) is leading or participating in several projects that utilize technology to measure and disseminate border wait times and delays. Work on the US/Canada border centers on using the Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA); a tool for ensuring institutional agreement and technical integration of ITS and other technology used to measure border wait times and delay at major land border crossings. On the US/Mexico border, HOFM, in coordination with the Office of Planning, is conducting several projects to measure truck crossing and delay time at two major U.S. land border crossings. These projects will identify and evaluate technologies that can easily and precisely measure commercial vehicle crossing time. Work on both borders has an end state objective of having quantifiable data and information that can support transportation operations, planning and investment decisions.	Crystal Jones	Ongoing	Partnership/Coalition
Smart Roadside — The FHWA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are partnering on this initiative targeting the movement of traditional truck weigh station activities to the roadside. Advanced technologies will be employed to conduct commercial vehicle and driver compliance checks at highway speeds to better target enforcement resources toward violators and eliminate unnecessary delays in highway based goods transport. This Initiative is a "Priority Application" included in USDOT's ITS Safety Program and is supported as a component of the Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V-I) Program	Tom Kearney	December 2014	Software or Other Technical Resource
Jason's Law Truck Parking Study — Refer to MAP-21 Addendum Section 1401	Tom Kearney	April 2014	Publication — Technical
Off Hours Delivery Pilot Project — FHWA in partnership with the EPA are researching and demonstrating the efficacy of implementing off hours goods movement and delivery programs in small to medium size urban areas with emerging or growing congestion problems. Moving trucks to off hours is seen as a cost efficient method of reducing congestion, improving freight flows, and has positive impacts on air quality, environmental justice, sustainability and livability of a city or urban area. FHWA is making grants to cities or regions to implement pilot projects, and is developing basic decision support tools and publications for entities interested in implementing a similar program.	Corral Torres	December 2016	Software or Other Technical Resource

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Freight Professional Development Program (FPD)

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpd

FPD Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Posting Freight Peer-to-Peer Reports on the Web Site — The Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Program is part of the ongoing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Freight Professional Development (FPD) Program. P2P facilitates information sharing between public sector freight transportation professionals and provides technical assistance on an as-needed basis. By providing an opportunity for public sector Staff and Leaders to learn from their peers, the P2P Program identifies and expands state and regional noteworthy practices in the freight transportation field and builds relationships, understanding, and cooperation among key stakeholders. The Freight Peer-to-Peer program now requires the peers to provide a report after the peer exchange. These reports are reviewed and edited for posting on the Office of Freight Management and Operations Web site for other State DOT's and MPO's to use. It is a mechanism for sharing information.	Corral Torres	Ongoing	Publication — Education
Engaging the Private Sector in Freight Planning — This one-day workshop has been revised with updated content and case study examples and focuses on developing and sustaining relationships, either formally or informally, with key private-sector stakeholders. It reviews strategies and techniques to initiate private-public sector cooperation, identifies key private-sector stakeholders, and suggests ways to improve and sustain communication. Successful approaches employed at several State DOTs and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are discussed. Target Audience Staff from State DOTs, MPOs, local jurisdictions, and economic development agencies. By the end of training, participants will be able to: Describe the value that private sector freight stakeholders can add to the planning process Apply tools/resources for identifying freight stakeholders Construct an action plan for engaging freight stakeholders in their agencies'	Crystal Jones	Ongoing	Training — Classroom
Freight and Land Use Handbook and Workshop — This handbook and workshop provide public and private-sector stakeholders with the tools and resources to assess the impacts of land use decisions on freight movement, and the impacts of freight development and growth on land use planning goals.	Ed Strocko	Ongoing	Publication — Technical
Talking Freight — These monthly seminars provide a convenient and no-cost way for transportation professionals to learn about the latest trends, issues, tools, and noteworthy practices in freight transportation. Through the use of Web conferencing, participants can view the speaker's presentation on their personal computer and hear the audio portion of the presentation by dialing into the assigned teleconference number. Visit the Talking Freight Web site at www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpd/talking_freight.htm to register for a seminar, get details about upcoming topics, or listen to past seminars.	Crystal Jones	Ongoing	Webinar — External

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Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

Web Site: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov

MUTCD Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By
State Adoptions of New Edition of the MUTCD — The Federal Highway Administration published the 2009 edition of the MUTCD on December 16, 2009. The new edition of the MUTCD includes a variety of new and updated uniform traffic control device designs and practices, reflecting advances in technology and successful research. The MUTCD Team conducted a large number of webcasts and on-site presentations to inform all interested parties of changes included in the 2009 MUTCD. As of August 2012, all States, District of Columbia & Puerto Rico have adopted the 2009 MUTCD.	Bruce Friedman	Completed
Update of Standard Highway Signs and Markings Publication — The Standard Highway Signs (SHS) and Markings publication provides dimensioned fabrication details for agencies and vendors to produce the signs and markings. The team is updating this publication to add the new and modified signs adopted in the 2009 MUTCD. A Supplement to the 2004 edition of Standard Highway Signs containing 425 of the new sign designs was issued in March 2012. This supplement has been updated (December 2012) and now contains all new and revised signs and pavement markings. The update is anticipated to be available on the MUTCD Web site by April 2013. Work is underway to develop a new 2013 SHS edition that will include revised and expanded sign design guidelines.	Kevin Sylvester	Update Completed/ Expanded 2013 Edition ongoing December 2013
General MUTCD Training Course — This 8-hour workshop includes modules on human factors, positive guidance, and the history of the MUTCD. The workshop also highlights basic information from each part of the MUTCD that is helpful for novice users of the MUTCD to know. We plan to revise and update the material, put this training on CD, and make it available as a classroom training tool or as a self-instructional tool to interested persons upon request. Availability is anticipated by June 2013.	Ken Wood	June 2013
Sign and Pavement Markings Retroreflectivity Rulemaking — A Notice of Proposed Amendments for pavement marking retroreflectivity was published in the Federal Register by the Office of Safety in April 2010. The amendments were proposed as a revision to the 2009 MUTCD. The docket comment period ended August 20, 2010, and comments are being evaluated. A decision on whether to issue a Supplemental Notice of Amendments or a Final Rule has been deferred.	Kevin Dunn	Deferred
Traffic Control Devices Pooled-Fund Study — The experimentation process has been used by jurisdictions for on-road testing and evaluation of innovative traffic control devices. FHWA has established a pooled-fund study for traffic control devices that is intended to provide a quicker way to assess low-risk new traffic control devices and applications. Nineteen States, 3 FHWA Offices, and an association have become members of the pooled-fund, which has completed a variety of projects (many results from which were incorporated into the 2009 MUTCD and more will be considered for the next edition). Three new projects have been selected for FY-13: Warning Sign Legends for Emergency Incidents; Evaluation of Elongated Pavement Marking Signs; Countdown Pedestrian Signals Legibility and Comprehension without Flashing Hand.	Kevin Sylvester	Ongoing
MUTCD Strategic Planning Initiative — The Office of Operations has identified the need for a strategic long term plan for the MUTCD that would define a strategic direction for the MUTCD's future scope, content, and format. Consensus answers to longstanding questions, such as what things are or are not traffic control devices and thus are regulated or not regulated by the MUTCD, need to be developed to guide future decision making. It is necessary to develop an MUTCD strategic plan with a 20-year vision. A meeting was held with a group of respected leaders from the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) to discuss the issues. The NCUTCD has taken a leadership role in this effort, which started at the end of 2009 and will take several years to complete. The MUTCD Team is currently participating in an NCHRP project that will help develop the strategic plan. Preliminary results from the NCHRP project are anticipated during the Spring of 2013.	Chung Eng	Ongoing
Next Edition of the MUTCD — The MUTCD needs to be periodically updated to address constantly evolving practices, new research results, and advancing technologies. In response to concerns from the user community over the growing size and complexity of the MUTCD, the FHWA is planning on streamlining the MUTCD to facilitate more practicable navigation and application by the user. On January 11, 2013, the FHWA published a Request for Comments (Docket ID: FHWA-2012-0118) soliciting input on the option of splitting the material in the MUTCD into two separate documents in the interest of providing a simpler, streamlined MUTCD that would be easier to use, and if it is split, what are some of the potential formats for doing so. The direct link to the docket is http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FHWA-2012-0118. Comments were due by March 12, 2013. The results from the Request for Comments will be considered along with information from the MUTCD Strategic Planning Initiative to guide development of the next edition of the MUTCD, which is anticipated by 2016.	Chung Eng	Ongoing
Official Rulings Database on the MUTCD Web Site — The MUTCD team at FHWA developed a database of the official rulings that have been made regarding the MUTCD. The official rulings that have been placed in the database include requests by agencies to experiment with innovative traffic control devices or applications, requests by persons or agencies outside of FHWA for changes to the MUTCD, and requests by persons or agencies outside of FHWA for interpretations of the provisions of the MUTCD. The searchable/sortable database was placed on the MUTCD Web site in June 2011 — http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/orsearch.asp. Note that we are still in the process of adding as much information as is available about each request, and some of the official requests have not yet been added to this resource.	Bruce Friedman	Completed/ Data Input Ongoing
MUTCD Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Program — This program is available to public sector agencies that need assistance with implementing the provisions of the MUTCD. The program matches a knowledgeable volunteer with the requester. A new P2P brochure was developed in May 2012 and has been distributed to the various FHWA field offices to be handed out at local professional meetings. The new brochures were also distributed to the members of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices at their summer meeting in June 2012. A reassessment of this program is planned during 2013.	Kevin Dunn	Ongoing

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Performance Measurement

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/perf_measurement

Performance Measurement Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Freight Performance Measures — The Office of Freight Management & Operations (HOFM) is securing truck probe data for use by USDOT, State DOTs and MPOs for measuring travel time on the National Highway System and other key locations. This data will be provided as average travel times every 5 minutes for each segment of the NHS. A web tool is available at www.freightperformance.org that provides our state and local partners access to historical speed data that is collected for the 25 interstate highways.	Ed Strocko	Ongoing	Software or Other Technical Resource
Quarterly Urban Congestion Reporting — The Office of Transportation Management (HOTM) collects data from 19 urban areas to demonstrate the ability to develop performance measures from ITS data. The report is available quarterly and provides congestion trend data for FHWA Leadership and the urban areas that supply the data. A congestion trends report is developed each Fiscal Year that explains congestion trends for that year. The 2011 Urban Congestion Trends report was available in July 2012.	Rich Taylor	Ongoing
Developing Reliability Measure Outreach Materials — In 2012, FHWA's Office of Transportation Management is continuing to focus on getting the Top 40 Metro Areas (by population) to develop travel-time based reliability measures with their traffic data. Support will be provided through technical assistance.	Rich Taylor	Ongoing

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Planned Special Events

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/about/pse.htm

Planned Special Events Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Managing Travel for Special Events NHI-133099	Laurel Radow	Ongoing	Training — Classroom

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Planning for Operations

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travel/plan2op.htm

Planning for Operations Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Benefit Cost for Management and Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost (TOPS-BC) Decision Support Tool — This project will develop a sketch planning level decision support tool allowing users to research and conduct high level benefit-cost (B/C) analysis. The tool and users' manual will supply inputs and default values for conducting planning level B/C analysis for approximately 15 operational strategies.	Jim Hunt	June 2013	Software or Other Technical Resource
Benefit Cost Desk Reference for Management and Operations Workshops — This project will share operations benefit cost guidance and validate and educate practitioners on the TOPS-BC tool.	Jim Hunt	June 2013	Workshop
Benefit Cost for Operations Informational Briefs — Three Information briefs have been developed and are posted at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publications.htm#pfo. They illustrate typical operations benefit cost analysis applications.	Jim Hunt	Completed	Publication — Guidance
Designing for Operations Primer — A primer is being completed that will highlight opportunities for transportation facility design to better accommodate the needs of day to day emergency, maintenance, transit, security and other system operators. The primer will also provide guidance for institutionalizing operational considerations in the design process.	Jim Hunt	April 2013	Publication — Technical

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Real-Time Traveler Information

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travelinfo

Real-Time Traveler Information Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure Program (ITIP)/ Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program (TTID) — Selection of cities and the part of the program that they would participate in were made in March 2006. Local Agreements have been reached with 25 cities under Part I. To date, systems in those cities (Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington D.C.) have been completed with real-time traffic data being collected and provided in these metropolitan areas. The request for proposals for Part II issued on June 25, 2007, was subsequently canceled. The Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, signed into law on December 26, 2007, rescinded the remaining unobligated TTID program funding. As a result, further deployment under Part II cannot be pursued.	Jimmy Chu	April 2014
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) / 511 Guidance, Lessons Learned and Technical Assistance	Jimmy Chu	Ongoing	Outreach Program
Real-Time System Management Information Program — SAFETEA-LU Section 1201 requires Real-Time System Management Information Program in all States; Final Rule in November 2010 codified requirements as 23 CFR Part 511; compliance on all Interstates by November 2014; more information on web site at: www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/1201.	Robert Rupert	November 2014	Policy/Regulatory Action
Travel Times on Dynamic Message Signs — Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) are one of the tools used by Transportation Management Centers (TMC) to inform motorists of any incidents that occurs on the highways. To this date, 46 of the top 52 metropolitan areas have displayed travel time messages on their DMS during non-incident periods. Because motorists enjoy seeing travel times on these signs, TMCs are starting to display this information more frequently, and many more are planning to implement this program. FHWA encourages all TMCs to post travel time messages on DMS during non-incident periods. Information on guidance, action memorandums and best practices on the topic of "Travel Time Messages on Dynamic Message Signs" are available at www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travelinfo.	Jimmy Chu	Ongoing	Outreach Program
Real Time Traveler Information — Proactively ensure that real-time travel condition information is available to urban and rural travelers in every state. Update & provide data exchange formats guidance for real-time information.	Robert Rupert	April 2013	Publication — Guidance

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Road Weather Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather

Road Weather Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Weather and Traffic Analysis - Incorporate Weather Impacts In Traffic Estimation and Prediction Systems — The goal of this study is to determine how pre-trip and en-route weather information affects travel demands and traffic flows, and incorporate this knowledge in dynamic traffic assignment and prediction models like DynaSMART and DynaMIT. Initial study was completed on September 2009; follow-up work to test and evaluate weather-responsive TrEPS in major US cities was completed in June 2012. Task is underway to deploy TrEPS in Utah.	Roemer Alfelor	March 2014	Publication — Technical
Implementation of Weather Responsive Traffic Management Strategies — Three contracts were awarded to Utah DOT and Oregon DOT to develop and implement advanced traveler information system, traffic signal timing strategies and active traffic management strategies in response to adverse weather conditions. In addition, evaluation plans are being developed and implemented to determine the benefits of the weather-responsive traffic management strategies.	Roemer Alfelor	January 2014	Publication — Technical
1201 Rule – Guidance for Road Weather Traveler Information Systems — Guidance material is being developed to help agencies meet the requirements of the 1201 Rule for real-time traveler information reporting of hazardous weather conditions.	Roemer Alfelor	September 2014	Publication — Technical
Road Weather Management Best Practices — This often-used resource is in the process of being updated to reflect the latest advancements in Road Weather Management. Solutions deployed by State DOTs are being documented, capturing a range of advisory, control and treatment actions.	Ray Murphy	Completed	Publication — Technical
Guidelines for Disseminating Road Weather Information — This study looked at human factors in road weather advisory and control information. The objectives are to identify traveler requirements for weather information (both pre-trip and en-route) and determine the most effective messages and methods for communicating weather information. A preliminary design guide for road weather information was published in May 2010. A revised guide was completed and published in June 2012. Marketing and outreach for the revised guide is currently underway.	Roemer Alfelor	December 2013	Publication - Guidance
Clarus Initiative — Clarus is an ITS Research and Development initiative aimed at improving the accuracy and timeliness of road weather information made available to road users and operators and to build the road weather observational database that supports the development of "anytime, anywhere road weather information". Thirty-eight state DOTs, five local agencies and four Canadian provinces have connected 2,437 Environmental Sensor Stations (ESS) to Clarus for a total of 54,251 individual sensors (refer to the Clarus Web Portal at: www.clarus-system.com). The contract to run the Clarus System will end in June, 2013. The FHWA continues to work very closely with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to transition the Clarus system to an operational status under NOAA. Additional information about the initiative can be found at: www.its.dot.gov/clarus/index.htm.	Paul Pisano	June 2013	Publication — Technical
The Road Weather Management Program and the Connected Vehicle — The Road Weather Management Team and the ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) developed a Vehicle Data Translator (VDT), which processes vehicle probe data and turns it into useable weather and road condition observations. They are also developing or enhancing advanced decision support tools that use data from the VDT. A project was recently completed working with the Minnesota and Nevada State DOT's to incorporate data collected from their mobile fleets into the VDT and Clarus, and ultimately into one of these advanced decision support systems. A report summarizing the results of this experience is expected to be published by April of 2013. A second phase for this project, working with the states of Minnesota, Nevada, and Michigan, will collect mobile data from their state fleets and use it to further develop the capabilities of the VDT and to prototype the incorporation of this mobile data into day-to-day management and operation applications of value to those agencies. The early findings of this research are expected to be used to support the Fall 2013 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Decision. This phase of the project will be completed by April of 2014.	Gabriel Guevara	April 2014	Publication and Software or other Technical Resource
Web-based Training Course on Weather Responsive Traffic Management (WRTM) — A blended web-based course on WRTM was developed through the University of Maryland CITE (Consortium for ITS Training and Education) Program. The course helps traffic managers and practitioners identify, implement and evaluate proactive WRTM strategies. Initial delivery was completed in December 2012; a second offering is scheduled on June 2013.	Roemer Alfelor	Completed	Training — On-Line
Mobile Data for Weather-Responsive Traffic Management Studies — This study is looking at existing and potential sources of mobile weather and traffic data that can be used as inputs for WRTM studies. The research will demonstrate the use of some of the mobile data for traffic prediction and estimation during adverse weather conditions.	Roemer Alfelor	Completed	Publication — Technical

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Tolling and Pricing Opportunities

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/tolling_pricing

Tolling and Pricing Opportunities Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Urban Partnership/Congestion Reduction Demonstration Programs — At this time, all of the Urban Partnership and Congestion Reduction projects awarded by the Department of Transportation have been deployed. A national evaluation team is now assessing the effects of congestion-reduction strategies in each urban area. The two final deployment sites were in Los Angeles (LA). The LA Metro High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) conversion project on I-110 was deployed in November 2012 and the I-10 project was deployed February 2013.The final evaluation report for Minnesota has been completed and will be available on-line in March 2013. At this time, discussions are underway to determine when the national evaluation will be finalized. The related Travel Behavior study that is being conducted by Volpe will be completed in Summer 2013.	Wayne Berman	December 2013
Value Pricing Pilot Program — Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) Quarterly Report: Each quarter, projects authorized under the Value Pricing Pilot Program are updated to provide the most current VPP program information on pre-implementation studies as well as projects that have been implemented.	Angela Jacobs	Ongoing	Outreach Program
Congestion Pricing Outreach — Revise existing Tolling and Pricing Web site. The new web site should be up and running in early April. Continue ninety-minute webinars designed to support state and local governments interested in overcoming the challenges of congestion pricing. In 2013 the webinar series will occur quarterly.	Angela Jacobs	Ongoing	Webinar — External
Express Lanes Demonstration Program — The Express Lanes Demonstration Program (ELDP) was authorized under Section 1604(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); it expired on September 30, 2012. The program allowed up to 15 toll projects aimed at managing congestion and financing highway capacity expansion by tolling new lanes added to an existing facility. The five tolling agreements that were executed by FHWA and project sponsors under this program will continue in force. Projects for which slots were allocated but still not subject to an agreement should proceed under Section 129.	Wayne Berman	Program Ended
Development of a Priced Managed Lane Guide — The purpose of this project is to update and enhance the HOT Lane Guidebook that was prepared in 2005. The guide will be designed to support state, regional and local governments seeking to implement pricing projects. An electronic version will be available in March 2013. The document is being printed and should be available for distribution by early Spring.	Angela Jacobs	March 2013	Publication — Guidance
Guidebook for State and Local Governments on Evaluating and Mitigating Equity Impacts of Road Pricing — Developing a guidebook to help State, regional and local agencies address equity issues for their congestion pricing project in an appropriate manner. Document is being edited and should be printed by April 2013.	Angela Jacobs	Spring 2013	Publication — Guidance
Pay-as-you-drive Insurance (PAYD) — The Brookings Institution estimates that this important strategy would spur an 8 percent voluntary reduction in driving, yielding $50-60 billion in net social benefits. This effort will support researchers and practitioners with knowledge in actuarial and driver behavior research in the development of pricing models to offer such insurance. A company that improves the fit of its pricing models (defined by how well prices match actual risks for payout of claims) can offer more competitive rates and bolster its profitability. The products developed from this effort would not only help companies price PAYD insurance, but they would also provide the needed analytical support to facilitate state regulatory approval of such insurance.	Allen Greenberg	2014

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Traffic Analysis Tools

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficanalysistools

Traffic Analysis Tools Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
DYNASMART-P	John Halkias	Ongoing	Tools
ITS Deployment Analysis System (IDAS)	John Halkias	Ongoing	Tools
Workshops on Highway Capacity Manual Analysis of Operational Strategies Under Varying Capacity and Demand Conditions; A Foundation for ATDM Analysis — Perform outreach to practitioner community on Highway Capacity Manual-Active Transportation and Demand Management (HCM-ATDM) methodologies. Workshops are being conducted to advance the methodology and help state and local managers conduct better analyses for management and operations projects. In addition, the workshops are being used to obtain peer evaluation and assessment that will be essential in validating and improving the methodology for eventual consideration by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40).	Jim Hunt	June 2013	Workshop
Analysis Guide on HCM Analysis of Operational Strategies Under Varying Capacity and Demand Conditions; A Foundation for ATDM Analysis — Testing and enhancement of HCM-ATDM methodologies and packaging methodologies into an Analysis Guide. Methods for additional ATDM strategies and four (4) Informational Briefs will be developed.	Jim Hunt	June 2013	Publication — Technical
Traffic Analysis Toolbox Series — The Traffic Analysis Toolbox is a collection of traffic analysis guidance documents that have been developed to present a high-level overview of the different types of traffic analysis tools. Volume I: Traffic Analysis Tools Primer Volume II: Decision Support Methodology for Selecting Traffic Analysis Tools Volume III: Guidelines for Applying Traffic Microsimulation Modeling Software Volumes IV: Guidelines for Applying CORSIM Microsimulation Volume V: Traffic Analysis Tools Case Studies: Benefits and Best Practices Volume VI: Definition, Interpretation, and Calculation of Traffic Analysis Tools Measures of Effectiveness Volume VII: Predicting Performance with Traffic Analysis Tools Volume VIII: Work Zone Modeling and Simulation – A Guide for Decision-Makers Volume IX: Work Zone Modeling and Simulation – A Guide for Analysts Volume X: Localized Bottleneck Congestion Analysis Focusing on What Analysis Tools Are Available, Necessary and Productive for Localized Congestion Remediation Volume XI: Weather and Traffic Analysis, Modeling and Simulation Volume XII: Work Zone Traffic Analysis – Applications and Decision Framework Volume XIII: Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Analysis, Modeling and Simulation (AMS) Guide Volume XIV: Guide on the Utilization of Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) The twelve volumes of the Traffic Analysis Toolbox may be viewed and downloaded at www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficanalysistools. Volume XIII and XIV will be posted to the web site shortly.	John Halkias	Completed	Publication — Guidance
Workshop on Foundations of Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) — A FHWA sponsored workshop providing participants with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of conducting traffic analyses using DTA techniques, knowledge on the appropriate use of DTA, and an understanding of both strengths and weaknesses inherent in DTA analyses. The workshop has a one-day format featuring lecture and interactive pen-and-paper class exercise elements. Hands-on computer exercises are NOT an element of the workshop. The workshop is intended to provide participants with the background to make informed decisions regarding the value and challenges of DTA analyses using a broad range of simulation tools. The target audience for the workshop is transportation and community planners within MPOs and local, county and state organizations, transportation engineers, traffic analysts and consultants.	John Halkias	Ongoing	Workshop
Travel and Emissions Impacts of Highway Operations Strategies — This research effort will address the short- and long-term impact of highway operations on travel and emissions. Strategies of particular interest include signal timing, ramp metering, traffic incident management, congestion pricing, active traffic and demand management strategies such as speed harmonization, queue warning, etc. The travel behavior component of this work will examine key factors affecting travelers' responses to these treatments. Key research questions include: The extent to which highway operations strategies affect throughput, travel delay and travel time reliability; the extent to which these improved travel conditions result in induced demand – defined as the additional travel across a system over both the short- and long-term (up to 40 years following deployment); and the system-level traffic flow and emissions impacts of these projects, including the production of both criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases over a 40-year time horizon.	John Halkias	August 2013	Publication — Outreach
Creation of Guidebook on Utilization of Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) Modeling — The FHWA Office of Operations is developing a Guidebook document to aid Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and State Departments of Transportation (SDOTs) to inform them of the potential benefits and applications that are possible from utilization of DTA modeling tools. This Guidebook document will provide recommended process for using DTA tools in transportation analyses. In addition, it will provide examples of "success implementations" from transportation organizations. These guidelines will provide transportation practitioners with guidance (i.e. "how to") on the appropriate application of DTA tools for decision making process. The process will walk the practitioner through the process from "soup to nuts" in how to develop and implement DTA for regional planning, project planning, and other transportation operation projects.	John Halkias	Completed	Publication — Guidance
Modeling and Forecasting of Toll Revenues — A significant gap in this area concerns the modeling and forecasting of toll revenues. Specifically, there is a need for intermediate-level revenue analyses for toll projects between the "back of the envelope" calculations done in early planning stages and the more comprehensive investment-grade traffic and revenue studies that are required prior to obtaining financing. This project will develop intermediate analyses tool and procedure that would aid project sponsors in deciding which types of tolling options would warrant deeper consideration.	Darren Timothy	Fall 2013	Publication — Guidance
Update to Volume III: Guidelines for Applying Traffic Microsimulation Modeling Software — This project will update the Guidelines in the Traffic Analysis Toolbox for microsimulation to include better calibration and validation techniques, and to incorporate new guidance on the use of simulation.	John Halkias	Spring 2014	Publication — Guidance
Effective Integration of Analysis Modeling and Simulation Tools — This project will define a model integration concept of operations and requirements that will enable harmonious information exchange, and data transferability among models of various domains and scale. These new methods and tools will be validated through a proof of concept and prototype(s) demonstration.	Joe Bared	Spring 2013	Publication — Guidance
Effective Integration of Analysis Modeling and Simulation Tools — This project will define a model integration concept of operations and requirements that will enable harmonious information exchange, and data transferability among models of various domains and scale. These new methods and tools will be validated through a proof of concept and prototype(s) demonstration.	Joe Bared	Spring 2013	Publication — Guidance
Analysis of Network and Non-network Impact Upon Driver Behavior to Improve Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Techniques and Accuracy — A significant gap exists between current capability of existing traffic analysis tools and the ability of these tools to simulate and analyze complicated behavior of drivers. This research study will narrow such gap and advance our understanding of driver behavior to continue improving operations and safety of our nation's transportation systems.	Taylor Lochrane	Spring 2013	Publication — Outreach

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Traffic Incident Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/about/tim.htm

Traffic Incident Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Practitioner Workshops and TIM Outreach Visits — FHWA will conduct TIM Practitioner Workshops in the top 40 metro areas over the next three years to ensure that best practices are relayed to practitioners in an effort to improve TIM operations. In Fiscal Year 2010, Workshops have been or will be conducted in: National Capital Region; Greensboro & Charlotte, NC, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio & Austin, TX, Portland, OR, Memphis, TN, Chicago, Detroit, MI, and Boston. (* indicate Opportunity States and highlighted and underlined means already conducted). An outreach team will meet with senior officials from the mayor's office, the law enforcement and fire departments and the DOTs to discuss the importance of performance measurements and safe, quick clearance. (See entry below)	Paul Jodoin / Tim Lane	Completed Top 40 and conducted 48 to date; will conduct up to 8/year the next 5 years	Workshop
TIM Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Program — Due to the high level of interest in P2P collaboration in the Traffic Incident Management & Planned Special Events (TIM/PSE) areas, FHWA established a new TIM/PSE P2P program and may reactivate the TIM Pooled Fund Study for this purpose. FHWA will coordinate 4 exchanges this fiscal year. In 2011, PSE peer-to-peer used to send two peers from Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh DPW and Penn DOT to Hawaii to help the DOTs prepare for APEC conference held the weekend of November 11, 2011. The program is patterned after the Work Zone P2P program. Promotional materials developed and printed.	Kimberly Vásconez / Tim Lane / Laurel Radow / Ray Murphy	Ongoing	Partnership/Coalition
TIM Webinar Series — FHWA will conduct 4 webinars to discuss various TI&EM topics in this current year (Fiscal Year (FY)12). Topics are under discussion at this time, but will include such themes as SHRP2 TIM Training (August 13, 2012); Public Works and Transportation Collaboration in Debris Clearance; Traffic Management Center Contributions to TIM and PSEs; National TIM Framework; recent Peer-to-Peer sessions(June 2012) as webinar topics and others. Past Webinars in recent years (FY10 and FY 11) included: "Integrating the TIM National Unified Goal (NUG) into TIM programs;" TIM Performance Measurements; integrating traffic management centers and Fusion Centers. Briefing materials are available from the program office. Webinars are archived and are available on-line.	Kimberly Vásconez / Ray Murphy / Paul Jodoin / Laurel Radow	Ongoing	Webinar
Cost/Benefit Study on Full-Function Safety/Service Patrols (FFS/SPs) — FHWA will conduct Research on the Cost/Benefits of Full-Function Safety/Service Patrols for DOTs to use during budget requests/defense, including the cost/benefit of 24/7 operations. This information will be used to convince State and local decision makers not to cut funding to FFS/SPs. This task is a part of the revised TIM Decision Maker and Practitioner Outreach contract. The FFS/SP Benefit/ Cost Analysis Tool will be expanded as a result of a research partnership with Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) in beginning in 2013.	Paul Jodoin	April 2014
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) or Related Communication System Integrated into Traffic Management Centers — FHWA will conduct research with the TFHRC and produce case studies on integration of CAD and other law enforcement or fire dispatch and communications systems into the Traffic Management Centers/Traffic Operations Centers that demonstrate the benefit of such systems in reducing response time, lane closures, and the number of secondary crashes associated with incidents while improving real-time and ground-truth reporting.	Kimberly Vásconez / Tim Lane	June 2013 (Draft Available)	Publication — Technical
TIM Performance Measures Knowledge Management System — FHWA developed, tested and launched the Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Performance Measurement Knowledge Management System to facilitate information sharing and communications among practitioners nationwide who are working on program performance measurement for TIM. It will be used to house information on incident-specific performance metrics. It resulted from the success of the Traffic Incident Management Focus State Initiative, where 11 FHWA Division Offices, transportation and law enforcement representatives from each of the 11 States identified appropriate measures of performance for TIM programs, and promote widespread TIM program performance measurement. The Initiative participants developed two measures of incident clearance and incident duration and a measure for secondary crashes. An outreach package and marketing strategy for TIM performance measurement and the Focus States final report were completed and are loaded on the Knowledge Management System, which may be accessed through the ETO_TIM_PSE Web site. Database is being updated with good practices, lessons learned and tools collected as a result of the TIM Advanced Workshops and Post-Workshop follow-up calls and will be expanded to include all aspects of TIM, not just Performance Measurements.	Kimberly Vásconez / Karla Bloch	Ongoing	Software or Other Technical Resource
Safe, Quick Clearance Public Outreach Toolkit (including Driver Education Training Module) — We know how important TIM is to the safety and reliability of our roadways and want to provide the tools you need to educate the public. The TIM Toolkit was developed to help TIM programs across the country promote their message clearly and cost-effectively. With your help, we can teach the general public about the value of TIM and how we can work together towards the goal of safe, free-flowing, reliable roadways for everyone.	Laurel Radow	Completed — Available	Outreach Program
TIM Incident Performance Measurement Adoption Campaign, including Secondary Crash Study — FHWA conducted research (including interviews/ surveys) on States that are collecting data on the following metrics: duration of lane closure; duration of response operation; and number of secondary crashes associated with primary incident. FHWA developed a report on what criteria are used in defining these metrics and the electronic systems used to collect/house the data and analyze difficulty in translating to a national database. FHWA also researched the difficulty to obtain secondary crashes data at traffic incident scenes. This study identified issues associated with secondary crash data analysis and proposed solutions to advance the state-of-the-art in study of the frequency, nature, cause, severity and impacts of secondary crashes. This effort began in FY09 and ended in FY12.	Kimberly Vásconez / Paul Jodoin	Completed	Software or Other Technical Resource
TIM Self-Assessment — Recurring. FHWA is working to post the executive summaries of the FY09, 10, 11 and 12 reports.	Paul Jodoin	FY 2012 Assessment Completed.
TIM Post-Workshop Follow-up Effort — Traffic Incident and Events Management team will work with Divisions to periodically identify progress and needs of jurisdictions where the TIM workshops were conducted.	Kimberly Vásconez	Ongoing expected completed in 2013	Partnership/Coalition
National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC) — This organization will end its almost 10 year run while FHWA determines a more effective, structure that reaches senior leaders from key transportation, law enforcement and fire organizations while expanding the National TIM Network. FHWA established the National TIM Executive Leadership Group (ELG) and held its first meeting on 12-12-12 and is funding the start-up of the National TIM Network.	Kimberly Vásconez	NTIMC Completed May 1 2013; ELG initiated 12-12-12 with National TIM Network begun May 1 2013	Partnership/Coalition
TIM Subcommittee, of the Highway Safety Committee, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) — FHWA is building a stronger relationship with the law enforcement community to ensure that traffic incidents are cleared quickly and safely by the three primary on-the-ground responders: law enforcement, transportation, and fire/rescue. FHWA is collaborating with the IACP to establish this TIM Subcommittee as a means to integrate its 4,000+ membership into developing, identifying and using good TIM practices. FHWA plans to partner with the IACP on Performance Measurement activities and Regional Law Enforcement-Transportation meetings in FY13.	Tim Lane	Ongoing	Partnership/Coalition
Full-Function Service Patrol (FFSP) Field Training — Developing a training curriculum and materials to local delivery of training to Safety/Service Patrol personnel on the latest based on the latest FHWA FFSP, Safe/Quick Clearance and TIM guidance to improve operations and cooperating with TIM partners.	Paul Jodoin	Completed	Software or Other Technical Resource
Dispatcher Training Course — FHWA is developing a training course to prepare dispatchers at Transportation Management Centers, Traffic Operations Centers or Law Enforcement or Fire dispatch centers manage calls for Traffic Incident responses.	Paul Jodoin	To begin FY13	Training
SHRP2 Traffic Incident Responder Training Program — The SHRP 2 L12 project, Improving Traffic Incident Scene Management, now referred to as the National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training, provides a significant move forward in developing a coordinated, multi-discipline training program for all emergency responders and those supporting TIM operations. The accelerated delivery of this key, foundational course to all TIM responders was adopted as an Every Day Counts Initiative from FY12-14. The L12 project resulted in a TIM training curriculum that provides responders from the various stakeholder groups with a common set of core competencies that promote a shared understanding of the requirements for achieving the safety of responders and motorists, quick response, and effective communications at traffic incident scenes. Furthermore, the L12 project is generating three additional products: L32A: Three customized pilots of the "Train the Trainers"course for incident responders and two proof of concept workshops L32B: E-Learning for training traffic incident responders and managers; L32C: Interdisciplinary TIM training post-course assessment tool. The series of L32 products establishes a foundation for responders to achieve the three objectives of the TIM National Unified Goal (NUG): (1) responder safety; (2) safe, quick clearance; and (3) prompt, reliable, interoperable communications.	Paul Jodoin	Curriculum Developed FHWA conducting L32A Train-the-Trainer courses Begun FY12 and ongoing TRB-AASHTO & FHWA working on L32B distance learning course and L32C evaluation of training impacts	Training

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Travel Demand Management (TDM)

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/tdm

TDM Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
No update as of this report	Wayne Berman

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Vehicle Size and Weight

Web Site: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/

Vehicle Size and Weight Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study — Refer to Map-21 Addendum Section 32801	Tom Kearney	October 2014	Publication — Technical
Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws — Refer to Map-21 Addendum Section 32802	Tom Kearney	October 2014	Publication — Technical
Special Permits During National Emergencies — Refer to Map-21 Addendum Section 1511	John Nicholas	October 2012	Research & Guidance
Virtual Weigh Station/e-Permitting, Universal Truck Identifier, WIM/NIST Handbook #44 Project and Damage Assessment Exchange — The Office of Operations has completed a number of research projects advancing the state-of-the-art in truck size and weight. The "Concept of Operations Plan" for the "Virtual Weigh Station/Electronic Permitting" (VWS/e-Permitting) project was completed in 2009. Several work products were produced in 2011 on this project: "Final Architecture for VWS/e-Permitting", a "Data Model", a "Best Practice Report" and a "Business Case for VWS/e-Permitting" were all completed this past year. A "Concept of Operations and Research Findings on Universal Electronic Truck Identifier Report" was completed in 2011. These two projects have been integrated into work being conducted under the Smart Roadside Project supported through USDOT's ITS Strategic Research Program. Work continues on integrating Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology into NIST's Handbook #44, a project designed to support using mainline WIM devices for truck weight screening and enforcement decision support. The Work Group for the project was convened in 2011 and a Work Group Chairman elected. Language to be used in amending Handbook #44 is currently in development. It is anticipated that the amendment material will be completed and submitted to the national Conference on Weights and Measures for their Annual Meeting in July, 2013. The Pavement Damage Assessment Tool (PaveDAT) was completed in 2010. The tool was developed with technical support provided by pavement experts in FHWA's Office of Infrastructure and Turner Fairbank's Highway Research Center. Beta testing was completed by a few states and the Tool has recently been supported through on-site training. Strategies for deployment of PaveDAT are currently being developed.	Tom Kearney	Ongoing	Publication — Technical

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Work Zone Management

Web Site: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz

Work Zone Management Program Activities Report
Task	Lead	Complete By	Product or Services
Work Zone Safety Grants — Section 1409 of SAFETEA-LU established the FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Program. This 4-year (2006-2009), $20 million program provided funds to nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations to provide training to prevent and reduce work zone injuries and fatalities. The three grant emphasis areas include: (Area 1) Training for construction workers; (Area 2) Development of guidelines to help improve work zone safety; and (Area 3) Training for State and local governments, transportation agencies, and other groups implementing the guidelines. To date the Work Zone Safety Grant has generated a wealth of products, publications, and training resources – More information on these products can be found on the Clearinghouse at http://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant. As a result of the SAFETEA-LU extensions, additional funding became available for this program and 3 new grants totaling $10.6M were awarded October 1, 2011 with a 3 year period of performance. As new products become available, they will be posted on the Clearinghouse.	Jawad Paracha	September 2014
Accelerated Road Work for Work Zone Safety & Mobility Peer Exchange Workshop — Accelerated road work (Get-in, Get-out, Stay-out) can result in significant reduction in work zone safety and mobility impacts. This requires use of several strategies, independently or in combination, during project planning, design, contracting, and implementation. This workshop is intended for State DOT practitioners in operations discipline and will cover concepts, tools, and case studies in the area of accelerated bridge and pavement construction, performance contracting and accelerated schedules, CA4PRS and ABC planning tool, road closures, MOT plans and traffic impact mitigation strategies, benefits and lesson learned. An initial workshop was held September 2011 and up to 2 additional workshops are being planned for 2012.	Jawad Paracha	Completed
Work Zone Performance Measurement Using Probe Data — The costs associated with obtaining high quality, consistent, and continuous mobility data from individual work zones across the state could be significant, especially if data is collected strictly for work zone monitoring and assessment purposes. Using probe data is a cost-effective measure to meet the FHWA work zone data collection requirements (23 CFR 630 Subpart J) and to provide project managers the ability to monitor performance of their work zones. This effort will provide Guidance on use of vehicle probe data for work zone mobility/reliability performance measurement and a detailed case study based on Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) pilot project on work zone data collection and performance monitoring.	Jawad Paracha	September 2013	Publication — Technical
Data Needs, Availability, and Opportunities for Work Zone Performance Measures — This task will identify potential sources/methods (and their characteristics) for collecting data to support a broad range of work zone performance measures; provide guidance on what is needed and how to apply the data for each source/method, and how to interpret the computed performance measures; and provide recommendations on how to enhance existing data sources/methods, and how to take advantage of emerging data sources.	Jawad Paracha	March 2013	Publication — Technical
Feasibility Assessment for Determining TMP Strategy Effectiveness — This project is a research effort to identify and assess the usefulness and feasibility of determining the effectiveness of transportation management plan (TMP) strategies. It is examining relevant work done to date and what data is available, gathering input from practitioners, and developing recommendations on possible approaches for conducting an assessment of TMP strategy effectiveness.	Tracy Scriba	Completed	Publication — Technical
Use of Technology and Data for Effective Work Zone Management — To help agencies better deploy and use technology and data for effective work zone management, this project will develop a work zone ITS implementation guide and case studies. The guide will cover planning, procuring, deploying, and operating an ITS application in a work zone. The case studies will illustrate how several DOTs have used technology and data to better design and operate their work zones.	Tracy Scriba	September 2013	Publication — Technical
Applying the Work Zone Rule to Design-Build (DB) Projects — DB projects have become more prevalent as agencies speed up projects to leverage resources. The principles advocated by the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule, such as impacts analysis and transportation management plans (TMPs), still apply to DB projects, but some adjustments may be needed to address differences in process between DB and traditional design-bid-build. This project explores these issues and develops a toolkit/guidance and case studies to aid project stakeholders in good work zone management during the differing processes of DB projects.	Tracy Scriba	April 2013	Toolkit
Work Zone Peer-to-Peer Program (WZ P2P)	Tracy Scriba	Ongoing	Technical Assistance
Work Zone Self-Assessment	Tracy Scriba	Ongoing	Guidance
Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook Update	Tracy Scriba	Ongoing	Technical Assistance

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MAP-21 Addendum

MAP-21, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, authorizing funds for Federal-aid Highways, highway safety programs, transit and other purposes, requires the Office of Operations to lead number of actions. These include the following:

Section 1115 – Establishment of the National Freight Network — MAP-21 requires the Secretary to establish a national freight network to assist States in strategically directing resources toward improved system performance for efficient movement of freight. The National Freight Network will consist of the Primary Freight Network as designated by the Secretary; the portions of the Interstate System not designated as part of the Primary Freight Network; and Critical Rural Freight Corridors designated by the States.
The designation of the Primary Freight Network will be based on measurable and objective data, and include 27,000 centerline miles and up to 3,000 additional centerline miles critical to the future efficient movement of goods.

Current Status: This month (February, 2013), FHWA published a notice in the Federal Register which defines the planned process for the designation of the National Freight Network and an estimated schedule. FHWA is currently undertaking an initial analysis of the Primary Freight Network and will publish the results and draft designation of the Primary Freight Network for review and comment in March or April.

FHWA is also developing guidance/technical assistance for States to begin analysis of potential critical rural freight corridors and will release this in late spring. Final designation of the Primary Freight Network and a request to States to identify critical rural freight corridors is expected in October 2013 followed by an initial designation of full National Freight Network (including Primary Freight Network, the rest of the Interstate system, and the Critical Rural Freight Corridors) in December 2013.

Section 1116 – Prioritization of Projects to Improve Freight Movement — MAP-21 provided that States may seek a higher federal share (up to 95 percent) of federal aid highway funding for projects that are identified in a state freight plan and can improve the efficiency of freight movement.
Current Status: FHWA issued implementation guidance for this provision in October 2012. While FHWA has heard anecdotally that many States are interested in seeking higher match to free up state funding for other projects, no States have requested higher federal match for freight projects at this time. In order to qualify, a State freight plan must meet the statutory requirements as defined in MAP-21. At this time, no States have submitted their freight plan to FHWA for review and approval.

Section 1117 – State Freight Advisory Committees — MAP-21 directs the Secretary to encourage each State to establish a State Freight Advisory Committee. These advisory committees may consist of public and private sector freight stakeholders, including representatives of ports, shippers, carriers, freight-related associations, the freight industry workforce, State transportation departments/commissions/agencies, and local governments.
Current Status: Draft implementation guidance for this provision was issued in October 2012. FHWA will actively work with States to encourage the establishment of advisory committees, including delivery of our workshop: "Engaging the Private Sector in Freight Planning." This workshop is designed for practitioners addressing freight issues at metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), State departments of transportation, local governments, and economic development agencies. Private sector participation is also welcomed and can be extremely beneficial.

Section 1118 – State Freight Plans — MAP-21 directed the Secretary of Transportation to encourage States to develop statewide freight plans for immediate and long range freight planning and investment. These plans will enhance freight planning at the State and local levels and aid in the development of a comprehensive national freight policy and National Freight Strategic Plan to improve US economic competitiveness. FHWA approval of State freight plans is only a requirement with respect to qualifying for higher federal match for freight projects.
Current Status: While we are aware that many States have freight plans or a set of plans comprising the elements of a freight plan, to date, no State has submitted these to FHWA for review. In October 2012, US DOT published draft guidance in the Federal Register regarding State freight plans. US DOT is reviewing the comments received. Final guidance is expected this spring. In addition, FHWA intends to hold a Talking Freight webinar in March to address questions by States seeking to develop or revise State freight plans for federal review. "Talking Freight" is a series of technical webinars and dialogues for the public.

Section 1120 – Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) — MAP-21 authorizes for appropriation in FY 2013 $500 million for PNRS projects and expands the number of eligible PNRS applicants, reduces the floor on total project costs, and modifies evaluation criteria. MAP-21 also requires USDOT to develop a Report to Congress on PNRS by October of 2014. The Report will include a comprehensive list of potential PNRS projects, compiled from a survey of State DOTs, and will be accompanied by an analysis of the information collected and set of recommendations on financing for eligible project costs.
Current Status: FHWA is currently developing the framework for the survey of States and the Report to Congress. A draft framework will be available in March and the survey will be conducted beginning in the summer of 2013. Additionally, OST and FHWA are determining the need for a rulemaking to adjust the eligibility and evaluation criteria of the current PNRS regulations to meet the MAP-21 changes. Congress has not yet taken action on an Fiscal Year 2013 appropriation of authorized PNRS funding.

Section 1401 – Jason's Law Truck Parking Study — MAP-21 requires a study to be completed within 18 months of enactment of MAP-21 and made available on a public web site. The Study will evaluate each state's ability to supply adequate truck parking facilities, an assessment of truck volumes in each state, and development of metrics measuring the adequacy of truck parking facilities in each state.
Current Status: The survey instrument will be developed within FHWA for distribution by June 2013, to the FHWA Division Offices. A consultant will be retained by the summer of 2013 to support completion of the study.

Section 1405 – Highway Worker Safety — Directs FHWA to modify section 630.1108(a) of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (the Work Zone Rule, Subpart K: Temporary Traffic Control Devices) to ensure that positive protective measures are used to separate workers on highway construction projects from motorized traffic in all work zones that satisfy certain criteria (e.g., no means of escape such as tunnels and bridges).
Current Status: FHWA has initiated development of a rulemaking to make the revisions specified in MAP-21. As part of the rulemaking process FHWA must conduct a cost-benefit analysis to estimate the impact of the revisions. FHWA has completed the draft analysis and it is currently being reviewed by the relevant offices within FHWA. Contact Tracy Scriba (Tracy.Scriba@dot.gov) for more information.

Section 1511 – Special Permits During National Emergencies — MAP-21 amends Section 127 of Title 23, USC to allow a State to issue special permits during periods of national emergency to overweight vehicles and loads that can easily be dismantled or divided. Prior to October 1, 2012, Special Permits for vehicles and loads operating in excess of Federal weight limitations on the Interstate System were only available for those loads that were not easily dismantled or divided (non-divisible loads).
Current Status: On September 24, 2012, FHWA issued guidance on Special Permits authorized by Section 1511. During Hurricane Sandy (October 2012), several States implemented this provision. There were many lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy, to include the fact that some States interpreted this as a "waiver" (not allowed) rather than a Special Permit. Additional observations are that States need to be encouraged to harmonize permitting to the extent possible, as carriers moving through multiple states must be able to comply with weights at the lowest common denominator; and that where there is difficulty in issuing a permit to each vehicle or load, it may be preferable for States to have the ability to issue a "blanket" permit addressing information on weights, routes and other special permit conditions. Furthermore, there is a need to consider an allowance for debris removal, when verified as necessary, to enable the delivery of relief supplies into an impacted area.

As a result of Hurricane Sandy, FHWA will be issuing clarifying guidance, undertaking outreach, and sharing of best/recommended permit practices. FHWA is undertaking outreach at the WASHTO and SASHTO Committee on Highway Transport (February 25-27) meeting and plans to update the Guidance and Question and Answers in March 2013.

Section 1512(a) – Tolling — provides a complete replacement for the statutory language of 23 U.S.C. 129(a). The new language makes a number of significant changes to the program, including tolling eligibilities; requirements for tolling agreements; and requiring audits to ensure compliance with requirements on the use of toll revenues.
Current Status: On July 6, 2012, the President signed into law P.L. 112-141, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The Express Lanes Demonstration Program (ELDP) was authorized under Section 1604(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); it expired on September 30, 2012. The five tolling agreements that were executed by FHWA and project sponsors under this program will continue in force. Projects for which slots were allocated but still not subject to an agreement should proceed under Section 129.

The Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) was first authorized under the Section 1012(b)(8) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), and was subsequently amended under other laws, most recently in Section 1604(a) of SAFETEA-LU. MAP-21 does not make any changes to this program. While no additional funds are authorized after Fiscal Year 2012 for the discretionary grant component of this program, FHWA's ability to enter into cooperative agreements for tolling projects under the VPPP will continue in force. Of the 15 slots authorized for this program, seven have been permanently reserved for States that have executed tolling cooperative agreements under the VPPP.[5] The remaining eight slots are currently reserved for State agencies that are undertaking studies or non-toll projects under the program. Once these studies or projects have been completed, these slots will become available for use by any States with eligible tolling projects under the program, at the discretion of the Secretary.

A number of congestion pricing strategies, including HOV to HOT conversion and the construction of priced express lanes, can now be accommodated under the Section 129 general tolling program and the Section 166 HOV/HOT lanes program. FHWA prefers that the two mainstream programs be used where possible as opposed to the pilot programs. As a result, requests for tolling authority under the VPPP will be limited to situations that cannot be accommodated under the mainstream tolling programs, such as the pricing of existing toll-free facilities without substantial reconstruction of those facilities.

The Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program (ISCTPP) was authorized under Section 1604(c) of SAFETEA-LU. To date, only one of the three slots authorized under this program has been reserved[3] and no projects have received final acceptance into the program or executed tolling agreements. The ISCTPP, which expires on August 9, 2015, was not directly affected by MAP-21. However, MAP-21 does amend Section 129 to include the initial construction of any highway, whether on or off the Interstate System, as an eligible activity for tolling. As this pilot program has thus been effectively mainstreamed under the general tolling program, FHWA will no longer be accepting applications for this program. Division Offices should direct project sponsors interested in constructing new Interstate highways, bridges, or tunnels as toll facilities to the requirements under Section 129. Contact Wayne Berman (Wayne.Berman@dot.gov) for more information.

Section 1512(b) – Tolling — Electronic Toll Collection Interoperability: Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of MAP-21, all toll facilities on the Federal-aid highways shall implement technologies or business practices that provide for the interoperability of electronic toll collection programs.
Current Status: Continue monitoring developments by the toll industry to achieve ETC interoperability.

Section 1514 – HOV Facilities (23 U.S.C. 166) — Replaces Section 102(a) of 23 USC with a new Section 166, clarifying the operation of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities and provides more exceptions to vehicle occupancy requirements. A State agency that has jurisdiction over the operation of a HOV facility must establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating the facility. Except as provided otherwise in this new section, no fewer than two occupants per vehicle may be required for use of a HOV facility. Motorcycles and bicycles must be allowed to use HOV facilities unless a State certifies that such use would create a safety hazard. Until February 28, 2010, States may permit vehicles certified and labeled as Inherently Low-Emission Vehicles (ILEV), in accordance with Sections 88.311-93 & 88.312-93 of CFR 40, to use HOV facilities. States may also establish exceptions for public transportation vehicles, certified low emission and energy efficient vehicles, and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) vehicles. Tolls under this section may be charged on both Interstate and non-Interstate facilities.
To void the need for potential corrective action, States are encouraged to work with their local FHWA Division Office before allowing HOT, alternative fuel, or low emission and energy-efficient vehicles (i.e., hybrid vehicles), that do not meet minimum occupancy requirements, to use HOV facilities. When HOT and low emission and energy-efficient vehicles are allowed to use HOV lanes, States are required to annually certify that operational performance monitoring programs and enforcement programs are in place to ensure HOV facilities are not degraded and are operated in accordance with the restrictions and requirements of 23 U.S.C. 166. States must limit or discontinue the use of the facility by a sufficient number of HOT and/or low emission and energy-efficient vehicles, if the operation of the facility has degraded.

Current Status: On May 24, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement elements of the SAFETEA-LU Section 1121 (23 U.S.C. 166) to provide exemptions for vehicles certified as low emission and energy-efficient for use in high occupancy vehicle lanes. HOV Program Guidance (dated August 2008) has recently been updated with MAP-21 inclusions, and has been vetted, and will be re-dated for November 2012. The site is http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freewaymgmt/hovguidance/index.htm. As part of the recent passed extensions, the low emission and energy-efficient vehicle exemption provision has been extended through September 30, 2017. Contact Neil Spiller (Neil.Spiller@dot.gov) for more information.

Section 1519 – Consolidation of Programs — Directs FHWA to carry-out the following four activities safety-related activities: Operation Lifesaver, Work Zone Safety Grants, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, and the Public Road Safety Clearinghouse.
Current Status: The Office of Operations is responsible for two of those four programs: Work Zone Safety Grants and the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Procurement packages are currently under development for each of them. Contact Paul Pisano (Paul.Pisano@dot.gov) for more information.

Section 1529 – Engineering Judgment — Requires that the Secretary issue guidance to clarify that the standards, guidance, and options for the design and application of traffic control devices provided in the MUTCD should not be considered a substitute for engineering judgment.
Current Status: A revision was made to the 2009 MUTCD (Final Rule published 5/14/12) that modified the definition of the term "standard", and restored language from the 2003 edition of the MUTCD relating to engineering judgment. The statement "Standard statements shall not be modified or compromised based on engineering judgment or engineering study", was removed from the definition of the term "standard". In addition, the following language was restored under Section 1A.09 of the MUTCD:

"The decision to use a particular device at a particular location should be made on the basis of either an engineering study or the application of engineering judgment. Thus, while this Manual provides Standards, Guidance, and Options for design and applications of traffic control devices, this Manual should not be considered a substitute for engineering judgment. Engineering judgment should be exercised in the selection and application of traffic control devices, as well as in the location and design of roads and streets that the devices complement."

With these revisions to the 2009 MUTCD, the objectives of Section 1529 of MAP-21 are considered satisfied and no further action is required. Contact Chung Eng (Chung.Eng@dot.gov) for more information.

Section 1539 – Rest Areas — Among other things, Section 1539 allows the installation of signs that acknowledge the sponsorship of rest areas and requires the Secretary to establish criteria for the installation of such signs.
Current Status: Criteria for both the design and placement of rest area sponsorship acknowledgment signs are currently included in FHWA Order 5160.1 and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The current criteria for sponsorship acknowledgement signs have been assessed to determine if any enhancements may be appropriate. Based on this assessment, substantive revisions to language in FHWA Order 5160.1 concerning acknowledgement signs and plaques are proposed. An update to FHWA Order 5160.1 is anticipated during FY 2013. Contact Kevin Sylvester (Kevin.Sylvester@dot.gov) for more information.

Section 32801 – Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study — Provisions in MAP-21 require US DOT to conduct a study addressing differences in safety risks, infrastructure impacts, and the effect on levels of enforcement between trucks operating at or within federal truck size and weight (TSW) limits and trucks legally operating in excess of federal limits; comparing and contrasting the potential safety and infrastructure impacts of alternative configurations (including configurations that exceed current federal TSW limits) to the current Federal TSW law and regulations; and, estimating the effects of freight diversion due to these alternative configurations. A Report is due to Congress within 2 years of the date of enactment.
Current Status: The study kickoff was in August 2012 with a US DOT multi-modal "Policy Oversight Group" seated to help guide the Study. A FHWA Truck Size & Weight Working Group has also been assembled to lay out the scope of the study, manage the schedule, secure the necessary technical expertise, and write the report. To assist in completing the Study and preparing a Report to Congress by October 2014, FHWA is contracting for technical support. An important part of the Study is to bring together the previous work performed by national organizations, associations, State DOTs, MPOs and the university community. The Study will include an extensive public outreach process. In addition to providing stakeholders an adequate opportunity to register their opinions on the topic and provide them periodic updates, this will allow the opportunity to address and offer input on FHWA's proposed methodology and the contractor’s technical approach. A listening session will be conducted prior to the commencement of the technical analysis and modeling work activities — likely to be held in late April. Informational outreach sessions will be conducted periodically throughout the Study period. A Stakeholder Information Session will be held at the conclusion of the Study where results from the Study will be presented. Safety analysis is an important element of the study. Technical Studies will be completed in early 2014, at which time US DOT will begin drafting a Report to Congress.

Section 32802 – Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws — MAP-21 requires FHWA, within 90 days of enactment, to begin work on the compilation of three "state-by-state lists": (1) A list of National Highway System (NHS) routes that allow trucks to operate over federal size and weight limits; (2) A list of limits in place, on an NHS segment basis, allowing sizes and weights in excess of federal limits and a description of truck configurations operating under such authority; (3) A list of state laws allowing trucks to exceed federal size and weight limits, including under a non-divisible load permit. A Report to Congress on this work must be completed by October 2014.
Current Status: Upon enactment of MAP-21, FHWA immediately began work on this provision by consulting with AASHTO on approaches for compiling the required information. It was determined that the best path forward was to procure the services of a contractor with extensive expertise in compiling laws and regulations. This work would then be verified by key associations that represent States. Currently a Request for Information is being prepared to procure contractor services.

SAFETEA-LU Addendum

SAFETEA-LUT, the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users, authorizing funds for Federal-aid Highways, highway safety programs, transit and other purposes, requires the Office of Operations to lead number of actions. These include the following:

Section 1201 – Real Time System Management Information Program — Requires the establishment of a real-time system management information program to provide, in all States, the capability to monitor, the traffic and travel conditions of the nation's major highways and to share that information with State and local governments and the traveling public. The purpose of the program is to improve the security of the surface transportation system, to address congestion problems, to support improved response to weather events and surface transportation incidents, and to facilitate national and regional highway traveler information. The program will also identify longer range real-time highway and transit monitoring needs and develop plans and strategies for meeting such needs.
Current Status: Comments received to the January 2009 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking were incorporated into the Final Rule that was published in November 2010 and codified as 23 CFR Part 511. Interim guidance on data exchange formats to facilitate sharing of program information was published October 2007 in the Federal Register, and a new task is using a system engineering approach to develop guidance to be available in July 2013 for using the Data Exchange Formats. See the web site at www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/1201 for more information.

Section 6001 – Transportation Planning – Operations — Metropolitan transportation plans shall include operational and management strategies to improve the performance of the existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and maximize the safety and mobility of people and goods. The requirement for the inclusion of operational and management strategies must be in place prior to MPO adoption of transportation plans addressing SAFETEA-LU provisions. Congestion Management Processes in Transportation Management Areas (TMAs): there must be "a process that provides for effective management and operation" to address congestion management. Management and Operations Planning Factor: The metropolitan transportation plan shall provide for consideration of projects and strategies that will "(G) promote efficient system management and operations."
Current Status: Guidebooks for the Congestion Management Process (CMP) and Management & Operations in the MTP were disseminated to the public in May 2008 with an extensive outreach program that was conducted for the remainder of the calendar year that included workshops and numerous presentations provided. As a result of the dialogue that occurred in discussing these documents, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have developed a consolidated guidebook that illustrates how the CMP and M&O provisions working together can provide the legislative basis for advancing an outcomes driven, performance based approach to Operations in the metropolitan planning process. This consolidated guidebook, "Advancing Planning for Operations: An Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach — A Guidebook" has been completed with the document available for distribution.

In addition to the completion of the consolidated guidebook, FHWA and FTA have also collaborated in the creation of a Model Transportation Plans Desk Reference document. This Desk Reference document showcases types of outcomes driven Operations Objectives and Operations focused Performance Measures that MPO organizations can utilize to advance a strategic focus of Operations in their Planning processes. The Model Plan document utilizes the above mentioned Guidebook as the approach to advance achieving compliance with Section 6001. The Model Plans Desk Reference document has been completed with the document available for distribution. Contact Wayne Berman (Wayne.Berman@dot.gov) for more information.

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