Slide 1 Module 2: Traffic Incident Management Framework & Resources Lesson 2.1 Regional Transportation Management Centers This course was developed by the Baltimore Regional Operations Coordination Committee with funding from the Maryland State Highway Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. Page 1 of 10
Slide 2 Module 2.1 Lesson Objectives This is the first of two lessons in Module 2. Lesson 2.1 - Regional Transportation Management Centers - Goals and benefits of Traffic Management Centers - Roles of Traffic Operation Centers in incident management - Maryland Traffic Operation Centers - Overview of Maryland's CHART program Page 2 of 10
Slide 3 Traffic Management Centers A Transportation Management Center (TMC), Traffic Operations Center (TOC) or a Statewide Operation Center (SOC) is a communications and traffic control clearinghouse that seeks, receives, processes and transmits incoming information using traffic surveillance and detection technologies such as radar detectors, still photos, and video camera systems. Page 3 of 10
Slide 4 Roles of TMCs in Traffic Incident Management TMCs serve as the focal point for communications and coordination among multiple agencies during incident management. Most TMCs provide the following capabilities in supporting TIM: Incident detection and verification Dissemination of traveler information services Support site management Support clearance policies and activities TMCs will request response agencies or other resources, maintain links with other incident response agencies, monitor traffic backups, provide information needed by responders and facilitate requests for additional resources. Page 4 of 10
Slide 5 Goals and Benefits of TMC Programs CCTV cameras, speed monitors, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and wireless communications have improved the quality of data available to traffic incident managers, allowing them to better direct resources to the problem. Goals of TOCs include: Improve safety for responders and travelers Manage congestion and delay Maximize capacity of existing infrastructure Benefits of TOCs include: Fewer secondary incidents Shorter travel times Reduced fuel consumption & emissions Page 5 of 10
Slide 6 Maryland Traffic Operation Centers The Maryland SHA has numerous cameras, Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) and Highway Advisory Radio stations in the Baltimore region. These devices are controlled by various operation centers including: Maryland State Highway Administration Statewide Operations Center in Hanover, Maryland. The MDSHA s Traffic Operations Center 4 in Golden Ring MSP Barrack in Essex, Maryland. The Maryland Transportation Authority's (MDTA) Authority Operations Center (AOC). These centers can share video traffic monitoring information with one another and with other agencies in the region, including the Baltimore City Police, Harford County 911 Center and other locations. The centers can also communicate with SHA and MSP field personnel. Page 6 of 10
Slide 7 Maryland Coordinated Highway Action Response Team CHART mission: Improve real-time operations for Maryland's highway system through teamwork and technology. Program started in the mid-1980's as the "Reach the Beach" initiative, focused on improving travel to and from the eastern shore. CHART functions as a statewide, multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary program. Page 7 of 10
Slide 8 Maryland CHART Real time data from ITS technology deployed statewide is viewed and combined at the SOC. Major operations centers are located in the map below. Page 8 of 10
Slide 9 4 Functions of CHART System Traffic Monitoring Incident Response Traveler Information Traffic Management Page 9 of 10
Slide 10 CHART Tools & Resources Emergency Traffic Patrols (ETP) provide emergency motorist assistance and to relocate disabled vehicles out of travel lanes. Emergency Response Units (ERU) sets up overall traffic control at accident locations. Freeway Incident Traffic Management (FITM) Trailers are pre-stocked with traffic control tools such as detour signs, cones, and trailblazers used to quickly set up pre-planned detour routes when incidents require full roadway closure. Page 10 of 10