Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies To Improve Travel Time Reliability

The research included an effort to determine the economic value of improvements in travel time reliability by applying options theory from the financial sector. This method is predicated on determining the certainty equivalent of the variability of speed. This innovative approach, briefly summarized in the body of the report and described in an appendix, deserves further exploration despite the lack of consensus from experts about its validity. A prominent part of the report presents a forecast of the year 2030 under alternative assumptions that may influence travel time reliability. The researchers set out three alternative outcomes--optimistic, mediocre, and pessimistic--regarding climate change, economics, and demographics. In addition, they examined a range of technological developments that might affect reliability. To paint a picture of the future, they prepared a concept of operations for the year 2030.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, sets out requirements for travel time reliability within a performance-based planning process. The research includes an effort to determine the economic value of improvements in travel time reliability by applying options theory from the financial sector. The report includes two succinct tables that describe requirements for person and freight trips for reliable transport, as well as a forecast of the year 2030 under alternative assumptions that may influence travel time reliability.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, provides a “how-to” guide for technical staff to select and calculate the appropriate performance measures to support the development of key planning products, including long-range transportation plans, transportation programs, congestion management process, corridor planning, and operations planning.

The 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users authorized the Dept. of Transportation (DoT) to establish a highway research program to address future challenges facing the U.S. highway system. In 2006, the Second Strategic Highway Research Program was established to conduct research in four areas -- safety, renewal, reliability, and capacity. The legislation also required a review of the program no later than three years after the first research contracts were awarded. This report provides information about the process for selecting the program's projects for funding, the projects' status, and what, if any, research was eliminated because of funding and time constraints. Charts and tables.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, focuses on geometric design treatments that can be used to reduce delays due to nonrecurrent congestion.

A multi-disciplinary approach to transportation planning fundamentals The Transportation Planning Handbook is a comprehensive, practice-oriented reference that presents the fundamental concepts of transportation planning alongside proven techniques. This new fourth edition is more strongly focused on serving the needs of all users, the role of safety in the planning process, and transportation planning in the context of societal concerns, including the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. The content structure has been redesigned with a new format that promotes a more functionally driven multimodal approach to planning, design, and implementation, including guidance toward the latest tools and technology. The material has been updated to reflect the latest changes to major transportation resources such as the HCM, MUTCD, HSM, and more, including the most current ADA accessibility regulations. Transportation planning has historically followed the rational planning model of defining objectives, identifying problems, generating and evaluating alternatives, and developing plans. Planners are increasingly expected to adopt a more multi-disciplinary approach, especially in light of the rising importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. This book presents the fundamentals of transportation planning in a multidisciplinary context, giving readers a practical reference for day-to-day answers. Serve the needs of all users Incorporate safety into the planning process Examine the latest transportation planning software packages Get up to date on the latest standards, recommendations, and codes Developed by The Institute of Transportation Engineers, this book is the culmination of over seventy years of transportation planning solutions, fully updated to reflect the needs of a changing society. For a comprehensive guide with practical answers, The Transportation Planning Handbook is an essential reference.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, is designed to help planning, programming, and operations managers apply the concept of travel time reliability to balance investment in programs and projects.