Analysis of Transportation Management Strategies for 2020 Regional Transportation Plan

Abstract

The 2020 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is the first long-range plan that not only identifies transportation management strategies but also analyzes alternative levels of strategy implementation. The development of the transportation management component was coordinated through the Transportation Control Measures Development Task Force. Transportation management project proposals were analyzed with the regional travel model and off-network methods as part of the scenario testing for the plan. The results indicated that a regional strategy to establish a comprehensive and coordinated transportation management program can significantly increase transit ridership, reduce automobile use, increase ridesharing, lower regional vehicle miles of travel (VMT), and reduce emissions as compared with conditions without these management strategies. A range of transportation management strategies was identified for inclusion in the RTP. Selection of 11 specific strategies was based on their applicability by the year 2020 and their contributions to achieving RTP goals and objectives. Transportation demand management, transportation system management, and intelligent transportation system applications were analyzed to quantify their effectiveness and to finalize the package of strategies for inclusion in the RTP. Trip making, VMT, and emission reductions were calculated for each of the 11 strategies to compare the impact with the cost of implementation. An overview of the strategy objectives and the methods used to calculate the performance impacts of each strategy is provided. Costs associated with different levels of implementation were estimated and project requirements identified. The final package of 11 transportation management strategies, implementation efforts, funding requirements, and the expected benefits of these strategies are also discussed. The 11 strategies resulting from this planning process make up the transportation management component of the 2020 RTP.