Research News

NCHRP 20-07, Task 366: Accessing Information about Transportation Systems Management and Operations Performance Measurement

Growing emphasis on system performance measurement and management is encouraging state departments of transportation to develop effective performance measures and performance monitoring practices. Unfortunately, transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) staff face significant challenges in trying to gain access to the rapidly expanding body of information about agencies’ research on and evaluations of TSMO performance measurement and monitoring. These practitioners risk duplicating previous work, adopting measures and practices that others have found to be inappropriate, or both. In response, this project surveyed the current state of practice in TSMO performance measurement and monitoring and developed a user-friendly tool to assist TSMO professionals in finding and retrieving topic-specific information about current practice.

Study on Illumination for State Highways

WSDOT currently owns and operates illumination fixtures on state freeways and highways with annual operating costs in millions of dollars. There are several ways that the WSDOT could reduce expenditures on illumination. These include using more efficient lighting technologies, operating illumination more judiciously, and installing fewer luminaires. This project reviewed current public agency illumination standards domestically and internationally. The researchers also conducted a thorough literature review of existing illumination products and their operational and maintenance characteristics, examined illumination control systems, and reviewed illumination spectrum technologies, with an eye toward their service, safety, and sustainability. The results are intended to support WSDOT staff in making design and business decisions regarding illumination installation, maintenance, and operation.

Food Distribution Supply Chain Data Collection: Supply Chain Firm Interviews and Truck Counts

In contrast to small food distributors, large grocery store firms and food distributors use larger trucks, with a more diverse truck fleet that travels longer distances, travels more highway miles than local street miles, and travels a larger variety of routes. Smaller food distributors use smaller trucks that travel shorter routes and mostly in urban areas, with less highway driving. Both types of food distribution firms place importance on reducing fuel use and emissions. However, their differences in operating characteristics influence their experiences with and ability to use natural gas vehicles. This information is important to policy makers in devising new alternative fuel policies and programs.

Wheat Supply Chain Data Collection

As the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) interest in developing a statewide freight model has grown, so too has the need to better understand potential responses of major industries to different policy and market scenarios aimed at reducing freight emissions. This research sought to understand the wheat supply system and its transportation characteristics, as well as potential wheat suppliers’ responses to changes in policy and market conditions, particularly the adoption of alternative fuels.

Evaluation of the Effects of Changing to Continuous Access HOT Lanes on SR 167

In August 2014, WSDOT changed the access controls for the high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on State Route (SR) 167. The lanes were initially designed and implemented with restricted access, but since August 23, 2014, free access has been allowed into and out of the HOT lane. To look at the effects of that change, researchers examined the performance of the corridor, including both the HOT lanes and the parallel general purpose lanes, and the volumes of use and travel times. They also examined the amount of revenue collected, the amount of toll evasion occurring, collision frequency and severity, and impacts on customer attitudes and transit operations.

Washington State Transportation Center