Applying Transportation Systems Management and Operations to Rural Areas

FHWA-HOP-22-026

October 2022

PDF Version [5.2 MB]

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Table of Contents

[ Notice and Quality Assurance Statement ] [ Technical Report Documentation Page ] [ SI Modern Metric Conversion Factors ] [ Abbreviations and Acronyms ]

Chapter 1. Introduction
	Background
	Document Objectives
Chapter 2. Business Case for TSMO in Rural Areas
	What Is TSMO?
	What Are the Benefits of TSMO in Rural Areas?
	Challenges of Implementing TSMO Programs in Rural Areas
Chapter 3. Planning for TSMO in Rural Areas
	Why Is Planning for TSMO in Rural Areas Needed?
		Approach to Planning for TSMO in Rural Areas
Chapter 4. Capabilities To Advance Rural TSMO
	What Is a Capability Maturity Model?
	Key Questions for Consideration
Chapter 5. Role of Emerging Trends and Technology
	Trends
		Transportation Network Companies
		Crowdsourced Data
		Broadband Communications
	Technologies
		Connected Vehicles
		Unmanned Aerial Systems
Chapter 6. Application of TSMO Strategies to Rural Road Weather Management
	What Is Road Weather Management?
		Example Strategies
		Potential Benefits
		Common Questions for Agencies to Consider
Chapter 7. Application of TSMO Strategies to Rural Traffic Incident Management
	What Is Traffic Incident Management?
		Example Strategies
		Potential Benefits
		Common Questions for Agencies to Consider
Chapter 8. Application of TSMO Strategies to Rural Work Zones
	What Are Work Zones?
		Example Strategies
		Potential Benefits
		Common Questions for Agencies to Consider
Chapter 9. Application of TSMO Strategies to Rural Seasonal Demand
	What Is Seasonal Demand?
		Example Strategies
		Potential Benefits
		Common Questions for Agencies to Consider
Chapter 10. Application of TSMO Strategies to Rural Special Events
	What Are Special Events?
		Example Strategies
		Potential Benefits
		Common Questions for Agencies to Consider
Chapter 11. Conclusion
Appendix A. FHWA Funding Opportunities
References

List of Figures

Figure 1. Photo. Portable changeable message sign in Washington State.

Figure 2. Photo. Paradise Valley Road in Washington.

Figure 3. Diagram. Planning for transportation systems management and operations.

Figure 4. Diagram. Capability maturity model for improved transportation systems management and operations effectiveness.

Figure 5. Illustration. Minnesota Department of Transportation testing an autonomous vehicle.

Figure 6. Photo. Dynamic message signs in Washington.

Figure 7. Photo. Portable environmental sensing station unit.

Figure 8. Photo. Emergency services in Washington State.

Figure 9. Photo. Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program vehicle.

Figure 10. Photo. Rural construction zone.

Figure 11. Photo. Portable intelligent transportation systems trailer.

Figure 12. Photo. Vehicles queue on the way to Mount Rainier in Washington.

Figure 13. Photo. Grand Canyon National Park promotes shuttle bus services on social media.

Figure 14. Photo. Temporary signal in Washington.

List of Tables

Table 1. Common Transportation Systems Management and Operations Strategies.

Table 2. Emerging Trend – Transportation Network Companies.

Table 3. Emerging Trend – Crowdsourced Data.

Table 4. Emerging Trend – Broadband Communication

Table 5. Emerging Technologies—Connected Vehicles.

Table 6. Emerging Technologies—Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Table 7. Washington State Department of Transportation Strategic Plan Case Study.

Table 8. Montana Department of Transportation Rural Transportation Management Center Case Study.

Table 9. Georgia Department of Transportation Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program Case Study.

Table 10. Texas Department of Transportation Rural Incident Management Plans Case Study.

Table 11. Oregon Department of Transportation Work Zone Intelligent Transportation System Equipment Case Study.

Table 12. Missouri Department of Transportation Rural Queue and Delay Warning Systems Case Study.

Table 13. Utah Department of Transportation Little Cottonwood Canyon Centralized Communications Channel Case Study.

Table 14. National Park Service Grand Canyon Parking Management System Case Study.

Table 15. Colorado Department of Transportation Colorado Classic® Bicycle Event Case Study.

Table 16. South Dakota Department of Transportation Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™ Case Study.

Table 17. FHWA Funding Opportunities.