Guidance on Using Traffic Management Centers for Work Zone Management

APPENDIX – GUIDANCE ON USING TMC FOR WORK ZONE MANAGEMENT – SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

Many Departments of Transportation (DOTs) at the state, county, and local levels operate Traffic Management Centers (TMCs). Typically, a TMC is a center where operators utilize software systems to control field devices (e.g., Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), ramp meters) and to view data and video collected throughout the monitored area. TMCs are not necessarily fixed locations or centers, in some situations the TMC is ‘virtual’, with systems linked through Internet or Intranet communications.

In regards to work zones, TMCs are most commonly thought of during the active work zone phase, when the work zone is in operation and the TMC operators assist by disseminating information and managing the traffic through the work zone. However, there is potential for TMC resources to support all stages of the work zone, from the planning and design phase through active work zone operations and post-operation evaluation. A separate document was created “Guidance on Using TMC for Work Zone Management” to present guidance for DOTs to consider how TMC resources (staff, data, and tools) could be used to support all stages of a work zone.

This self-assessment questionnaire document was created in conjunction with the “Guidance on Using TMC for Work Zone Management” report, which allows DOTs to assess their TMC’s availability and functionality and create an action plan to increase the use of their TMC resources. The self-assessment questionnaire for using TMC resources in work zone management in Table 1 includes the information below.

Column 1 – TMC Resource Identification.
Column 2 – TMC Resource and Definition. Column 2 identifies and briefly describes common TMC Resources researched in this project. It is important to note that each TMC is unique and that there are many other TMC resources available. Column 2 provides the most common TMC resources available.
Column 3 – TMC Resource Self-assessment. Questions in Column 3 are intended to assist agencies in self-assessing the resources of their TMC by working with TMC staff to identify the availability and functionality of each TMC resource.
Column 4 – TMC Resource Level. In Column 4, agencies are able to assess the extent to which they currently use the TMC resource for work zone management, based on the following levels:
- Level 0: TMC Resource is not used to support work zone management and/or not available
- Level 1: TMC Resource is available and has been used in limited situations to support work zone management
- Level 2: TMC Resource is available and used regularly (i.e., processes are developed, work zone staff are trained, but there is limited accountability or performance measurement).
- Level 3: TMC Resource is used extensively, use is budgeted, and performance measured.
Column 5 – Strategies for Using the TMC Resource for Work Zone Management. Column 5 identifies one or more strategies for how the TMC resource may support work zone management if it exists within the TMC. These strategies are defined in more detail in other sections of the “Guidance on Using TMC for Work Zone Management” Final Report.
Column 6 – Recommendations for Increasing TMC Resource Use. Column 6 includes general recommendations for increasing the use of the TMC Resource for work zone management.
Column 7 – Action Plan for implementing Recommendation. Column 7 provides agencies a mechanism to self-define an action plan and timeline for increasing the use of their TMC resource.

Table A-1. Self-Assessment Questionnaire for Using Traffic Management Center (TMC) Resources in Work Zone Management
# (1)	Traffic Management Center (TMC) Resource and Definition (2)	TMC Resource Self-assessment (3)	TMC Resource Level (4)	Strategies for Using the TMC Resource for Work Zone Management (5)	Recommendations for increasing TMC Resource Use (6)	Action Plan for implementing Recommendation(s) (7)
1	Road Condition Reporting System Real-time reporting of incidents, roadwork, lane closures, driving conditions, and other capacity limiting events; may include manual entry of events or automated ingest of data from external systems (e.g., law enforcement Computer Aided Dispatch systems). Note: All strategies require full functioning Road Condition Reporting System	1. Is a Road Condition Reporting System available and used by the agency? Yes No 2. Are planned lane and road closures entered into the Road Condition Reporting System for all known closures? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 1A: Share access to TMC tools used to record ongoing and planned projects, analyze corridor performance, and predict road user costs with all individuals involved in the road work planning process to support the coordination of road work projects. Strategy 3C: Using Road Condition Reporting Systems to understand planned events causing vehicle restrictions or capacity reductions on alternate routes during the work zone. Strategy 8B: Using TMC incident logs, dynamic message sign message logs, and Road Condition Reporting Systems to supplement traffic data and support performance evaluations.	1. Provide Project Planning/Design with Road Condition Reporting System access and training to view and enter road work plans.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
1					2. Identify Road Condition Reporting System information that the TMC can provide to help post-work zone evaluation.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
2	TMC Staff Time Time that TMC staff can dedicate to coordinating work zone activities, participating in work zone planning meetings and discussions. TMC staff possess knowledge about the traffic patterns and likely impacts of capacity reduction	1. Are TMC staff members available to support meetings throughout the work zone management stages? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 1B: Involve TMC staff in the planning of road work projects from the onset to enable TMC staff to understand the planned projects and impacts for all areas served by the TMC and therefore contribute to regional mobility planning. Strategy 1C: Organize annual meetings with TMC staff from neighboring jurisdictions (states, cities, counties) to discuss upcoming road work plans.	1. Identify TMC staff most appropriate to be involved in coordination of projects during project development.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
					2. Arrange a meeting structure to engage TMC staff with Project Planning/Design Staff.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
					3. Identify a core set of neighboring jurisdictions and arrange an annual meeting with TMC staff to review projects with potential impacts.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
3	Archived Traffic Data Data collected for the highway network in the proximity of the work zone. Data collected continuously, archived, and made available at time intervals of 15 minutes or less. Volume data is required to perform volume-to-capacity calculations. Volume, occupancy, and speed are required to support delay, road user costs, and to predict queues. Data may also consist of vehicle classification and travel time data.	1. What type of data is collected? Volume Occupancy Speed Data Travel Time Vehicle Classification Other 2. At what time intervals is the data collected and recorded? 15 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes Other	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 2A: Using TMC data together with TMC performance management tools, to conduct preliminary demand-to-capacity calculations for upcoming road work projects Strategy 2C: Using TMC resources to support innovative contracting or accelerated construction considerations. Strategy 3A: Using TMC archived volume and speed data to estimate traffic demand, delays, queue lengths, and reliability metrics during the upcoming work zone.	1. Request TMC staff review demand-to-work zone management related calculations from archived data to share their perspective and offer insight to increased use.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
					2. Outreach to work zone project engineers and managers to share ideas for increased use of archived traffic data.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
					3. Outreach to TMC managers and operators to explain the benefits of increased coverage of archived traffic data to work zone management.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
4	Volume-to-Capacity Calculation Tool or Process A mechanism to perform volume-to-capacity calculations. Mechanisms range from simple processes (e.g., calculations by hand or using a spreadsheet) to complex (e.g., using a self-developed tool or a procured tool that may include graphics and extensive calculations).	1. Is a volume-to-capacity tool available? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 2A: Using TMC data together with TMC performance management tools, to conduct preliminary demand-to-capacity calculations for upcoming road work projects	1. Determine if current approach for performing volume-to-capacity calculations is effective and efficient with input from TMC staff.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
5	TMC Documentation of Existing Intelligent Transportation System Devices TMC documentation of intelligent transportation system field devices (permanent and portable) installed and/or used in the proximity of the work zone. This would include functionality and location of intelligent transportation system devices to understand the role the devices can play in the work zone, and information about communications, power, and other utilities that may be impacted by the work zone.	1. What type of intelligent transportation system Device information is available? intelligent transportation system device location and functionality intelligent transportation system Device communi-cation and utility information No information available	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 2B: Develop Traffic Operations Plans for large projects before the Transportation Management Plan is developed and before final design to define the planned use of intelligent transportation system components and maximize the input from the TMC. Strategy 4A: Using TMC resources to understand the likely intelligent transportation system device outages due to work zones and prepare mitigation strategies to maintain critical field device operations.	1. TMC staff provide the locations of intelligent transportation system devices and communications and provide input on temporary technologies to be deployed in the work zone based on devices impacted.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
5					2. Work with TMC Managers and Operators to understand any TMC documentation that may benefit work zone management.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
6	TMC Incident Logs Records of the incidents (crashes, stalled vehicles, overturned loads) detected by or reported to TMC operators, typically with the incident type, location, and a reported date/time and cleared date/time associated to each incident. Note: Logs are not a comprehensive list of crashes or crash reports, but rather those incidents known by TMC operators.	1. Are TMC incident logs available that record location and date/time of incidents? Yes No 2. Are historic TMC incident logs available for months/years in the past to understand patterns of crashes? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 3B: Using TMC incident logs as a surrogate for crash data to estimate the number of crashes likely to occur during the work zone. Strategy 8B: Using TMC incident logs, dynamic message sign message logs, and Road Condition Reporting Systems to supplement traffic data and support performance evaluations.	1. Request access to TMC incident logs and develop an understanding of any patterns (e.g., crashes in the area).	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
6					2. Identify TMC incident log information that the TMC can provide to help post-work zone evaluation.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
7	Centralized Traffic Signal Control The capability to implement traffic signal control timing plans from the TMC for arterial roads in the proximity of the work zone.	1. Is central signal control capability available within the TMC? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 4B: As part of the Transportation Management Plan development process, consider TMC resources to improve safety and mobility in and around the work zone.	1. Meet with TMC staff to discuss factors that will be used to determine when to implement traffic signal control timing plans to benefit activities in the work zone.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
8	TMC Control of Dynamic Message Signs Immediately Upstream of the Work Zone TMC management of messages displayed on permanent or portable dynamic message signs located in the vicinity of work zones. Message management may be automated or manual. Queue detection and reporting requires dynamic message signs immediately upstream. Pre-work zone information only requires dynamic message signs to be in the vicinity of the planned work zone.	1. What is the extent of coverage of dynamic message signs throughout the road network (to understand which work zones could benefit from upstream dynamic message signs)? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 5A: Using TMC-operated dynamic message signs in the vicinity of the work zone to describe upcoming work zone impacts (e.g., lane or route closures and dates) to travelers prior to the start of the work zone. Strategy 6A: Using TMC real-time traffic data and closed-circuit television cameras to detect stopped traffic and/or queues approaching work zones, and inform travelers upstream of queues using TMC-controlled dynamic message signs. Strategy 7B: Using TMC resources to compute travel times through work zones for dissemination using pre-trip and en-route dissemination tools.	1. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss the locations, use of portable and permanent dynamic message signs, and any information about work zone changes.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
					2. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss if queue detection is possible with existing TMC resources or if additional resources are needed.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
					3. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss if travel time calculations are possible with existing TMC resources or if additional resources are needed.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
9	Real-time Traveler Information System TMC operates or participates in the operation of a system to provide drivers with information about current travel conditions pre-trip (e.g., traveler information website) and en-route (e.g., mobile devices, 511 phone, social media, dynamic message signs, etc.)	1. Does traveler information dissemination exist and is work zone information an option to be included? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 5B: Using TMC-operated traveler information systems and social media accounts to describe upcoming work zones and anticipated impacts to travelers pre-trip. Strategy 7B: Using TMC resources to compute travel times through work zones for dissemination using pre-trip and en-route dissemination tools. Strategy 7C: Using real-time traveler information dissemination systems and tools (including dynamic message signs, highway advisory radio, 511 phone and websites, and social media) to provide content that informs travelers of work zone delays or incidents.	1. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss the use of existing traveler information mediums to communicate messages to travelers before and during the work zone.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
9					2. Meet with TMC staff annually to discuss recent advances in the traveler information system and new possibilities for benefiting work zone management.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
10	Queue Detection Existing or temporary field equipment, access to probe data, or video analytics systems to detect queues on the roadway. Automated queue detection is preferred for real-time reporting to travelers, however manually observed queue reporting is possible.	1. Is automated queue detection available? Yes No 2. Is manual queue detection available? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 6A: Using TMC real-time traffic data and closed-circuit television cameras to detect stopped traffic and/or queues approaching work zones, and inform travelers upstream of queues using TMC-controlled dynamic message signs.	1. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss if queue detection is possible with existing TMC resources or if additional resources are needed.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
11	Visual Roadway Surveillance Real-time monitoring of the roadway conditions using full motion or still cameras. This typically includes access to and control of the pan/tilt/zoom positioning of the cameras to observe stopped or stalled vehicles, incidents, queue lengths, overall traffic flow, or other conditions that could influence real-time management of work zones.	1. Do TMC operators have access to visual surveillance cameras and controls? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 6B: Using TMC-operated closed-circuit television cameras and traffic data to detect or verify incidents in and around work zones to support quicker incident clearance and to alert travelers upstream.	1. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss areas to be impacted by the work zone and request TMC staff monitor the area to assist in detecting incidents that occur in or around the work zone or if additional temporary cameras are needed.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
12	Real-time Traffic Data Collection and Access Data collected for the highway network in the proximity of the work zone and made available to TMC operators as it is collected. Speed, travel time, or occupancy data are most often used to identify slow traffic or operational problems. Travel time data (either measured directly or computed from volume and occupancy data) are required to disseminate work zone travel times to drivers.	1.What type of data is collected and made available in real-time to TMC staff and/or automated systems? Volume Occupancy Speed Data Travel Time Other	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 6B: Using TMC-operated closed-circuit television cameras and traffic data to detect or verify incidents in and around work zones to support quicker incident clearance and to alert travelers upstream. Strategy 7B: Using TMC resources to compute travel times through work zones for dissemination using pre-trip and en-route dissemination tools.	1. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss areas to be impacted by the work zone and request TMC staff monitor the area to assist in detecting incidents that occur in or around the work zone.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
12					2. Meet with TMC staff in advance of the work zone start date to discuss if it is possible to calculate travel times.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
13	Performance Measurement & Management Tools TMC access to tools to assist in analyzing the extent of traffic delays or queue lengths in an around the work zone. Use is either to perform analyses during the work zone (to determine if adjustments are needed) or post-work zone analyses to understand the actual impacts. Note: also requires access to volume, occupancy, speed data	1. Are performance management tools (e.g., Performance Measurement System (PeMS), Regional Integrated Transportation Information System (RITIS), or other similar systems) available? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 7A: Using performance measurement and management tools available to the TMC (i.e., vendor products or in-house developed tools) to determine if any modifications to the work zone management approach are needed to maintain traffic mobility. Strategy 8A: Using TMC archived traffic data, together with performance measurement and management tools available to the TMC (i.e., vendor products or in-house developed tools), to analyze actual delays during the work zone.	1. Meet with TMC staff to understand performance management tools used by the TMC, their capabilities, and how Project Planning / Design staff and Project Engineers and Managers could have access to the tools and schedule of when analysis is to be performed.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
14	TMC-operated Lane Management Systems Systems capable of posting messages to drivers that are specific to each lane (typically through overhead dynamic message signs above each lane) to dynamically manage speeds and lane functions. This may include message that lanes are closed ahead, speeds are reduced, or suggestions to merge to other lanes.	1. Are lane management systems available on the road network? Yes No 2. Does your agency operate Freeway Service Patrols? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 7D: Using TMC-operated traffic management tools (e.g., lane management systems, variable speed limit systems, and ramp meters) to manage traffic flow in and around the work zone. Strategy 7E: Using Freeway Service Patrols to assist in minimizing impacts of incidents in and around work zones.	1. Provide TMC staff with any information available about planned lane closures prior and during a work zone and inquire about using managed lanes to benefit the work zone.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
14					2. Meet with Freeway Service Patrols to discuss opportunities to increase the presence of patrols in and around the work zone.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:
15	Dynamic Message Sign Message Logs Recordings of the actual dynamic message sign messages posted to portable and permanent dynamic message signs by the TMC, including a date/time stamp of when the messages where posted.	1. Are dynamic message sign message logs archived and available? Yes No	Our current level of use of this resource for work zone management is: Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	Strategy 8B: Using TMC incident logs, dynamic message sign message logs, and Road Condition Reporting Systems to supplement traffic data and support performance evaluations.	1. Identify if dynamic message sign message logs are available that the TMC can provide to help post-work zone evaluation.	Immediate Short Term Long Term N/A NOTES:

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Operations
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov
October 2015
FHWA-HOP-15-032