Abstract:
This report identifies the key issues that must be considered by state and other highway operating agencies in selecting traffic equipment for collecting the truck volumes and load spectra needed for analysis and design of pavement structures. The report also identifies steps that must be taken to ensure that the equipment performs appropriately and that, as a consequence, the data collected accurately describe the vehicles being monitored. The report is a useful resource for state personnel and others involved in the planning and design of highway pavements and structures.

Authors:
Hallenbeck,M. E., Weinblatt,H.

Keywords:
analysis, data, design, highway, pavement, pavements, structures, traffic, truck, volume, Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
The survey questionnaire is designed to elicit what residents in Washington are willing to pay for ameliorating non-point source pollution. This valuation survey will provide a dollar value that individuals or households are willing to pay to improve non-point source pollution in Washington. There ae many sources of non-point pollution so this value will have to be adjusted to reflect the Department of Transportation contribution to reducing non-point source pollution using published data.

Authors:
Brown,G. M.

Keywords:
non-point source pollution, clean water, water quality, surcharge, survey, Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
The Mobile Data Communications Project provides a functional test and demonstration of a multi-agency, GPS-based, automatic vehicle location (AVL) system. This multi-agency system includes vehicles and data for: (1) Sound Transit bus service operated by Community Transit and Pierce Transit, (2) Community Transit and Pierce Transit internal transit service, as well as, (3) Sounder Commuter Rail service. Schedule data, both spatial and temporal, is obtained from all the agencies and is combined with software developed by the Universityof Washington called MyBus/Busview. The original MyBus application predicts arrival/departure times and presents them in a publicly available web page.The application created in this project performs these functions using data from all the agencies participating. In addition, it provides the functionality of Busview, a Web-based vehicle location display, for transit agencies and customers, across all the agencies. This document reports the results of a joint Sound Transit and University of Washington evaluation effort of the Mobile Data Communications Demonstration Project.Automatic vehicle location (AVL) is the technology that allows transit agencies to perform such tasks as: (1) real-time schedule adherence, for operations and planning, (2) provision of traveler information, such as vehicle/departure times for customers, (3) interior stop announcements and displays, for on-board customers, and (4) automatic vehicle location information to dispatcher, for operations and safety. Creating a multi-modal version of the publicly available transit information applications is both technically and politically challenging. The four agencies who provide data to this effort are at very different stages in the use of real-time data. Obtaining usable schedule information, both spatial and temporal, can be a challenging activity in such an environment. However, in a relatively short time, we constructed multi-modal applications useful to all four agencies. This was facilitated by a database designed around TCIP concepts and a pre-existing component architecture that allowed us to reuse components and plug together new applications incrementally.The GPS-based tracking implementation proved to be effective in most cases, with the exception of some downtown Seattle locations. Since most of Sound Transit's service and the other agencies' bus services operate in areas outside the downtown core, a GPS-based AVL solution would work for most service. In the case of downtown service, the addition of dead reckoning equipment would improve the position estimates. Coordination between the spatial and temporal schedule efforts and any future AVL effort will need to improve if the AVL system is to be successful.

Authors:
Dailey,D. J., Cathey,F. W., Mclean,S.

Keywords:
AVL, automatic vehicle location system, Busview, Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is one of several strategies being implemented by King County Metro Transit to improve customer service and increase fleet efficiency. Specifically, TSP systems are designed to improve schedule adherence (on-time performance) and decrease travel time, by limiting, or even avoiding, the time that buses spend stopped at traffic signals.TSP can improve customer satisfaction by reducing signal-related stops for a smoother ride, reducing signal-related delay for a faster trip, and reduce travel time variability for improved on-time performance. The operational efficiency benefits of TSP include shorter travel times and decreased travel time variability, which help reduce scheduled running times, and the ability to speed up late buses, helping to minimize service disruptions. Significant reductions in travel time may decrease the number of buses required to provide service on a route, or may allow existing vehicle resources to accommodate reduced speed attributable to increased congestion.To make the best use of TSP technology, it is important to monitor how well the system is working and what impact it is having. In the case of TSP, not only do decision-makers within the transit agency have a vested interest in the performance of the system, but those in traffic jurisdictions do as well.KC Metro Transit's TSP system is designed to provide selected buses with extra "green time" (an extended green signal or an early green signal by truncating the red signal phases) to generate travel time and reliability beneifts for transit services. For traffic jurisdictions, allocating green time at individual intersections,and within a network of intersections, requires balancing the needs of general traffic, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles with the desire to provide TSP benefits to transit. In a coordinated signal system, providng additional green time for one traffic movement necessarily reduces green time for an opposing movement, as shown in the diagram below.

Authors:
Boon,C. B.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
As part of the process outlined in Washington's Statewide Strategy to Recover Salmon: Extinction is Not an Option, the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, and Transportation were charged to develop Aquatic Habitat Guidelines employing an integrated approach to marine, freshwater, and riparian habitat protection and restoration. Guidelines will be issued, as funding allows, in a series of manuals addressing many aspects of aquatic and riparian habitat protection and restoration.This document is one of a series of white papers developed to provide a scientific and technical basis for developing Aquatic Habitat Guidelines. The white papers address the current understanding of impacts of development and land management activities on aquatic habitat and potential mitigation for these impacts.The scope of work for each white paper requested a "comprehensive but not exhaustive" review of the peer-reviewed scientific literature, symposia literature, and technical (gray) literature, with an emphasis on the peer-reviewed literature. The reader of this report can therefore expect a broad review of the literature which is current through late 2000. Several of the white papers also contain similar elements including the following sections: overview of the guidelines project, overview of the subject white paper, assessment of the state of knowledge, summary of existing guidance, recommendations for future guidance documents, glossary of technical terms, and bibliography.This white paper examines and synthesizes the literature pertaining to the current state of knowledge on the physical and biological effects of alluvial river channelization, channel confinement, and various channel and floodplain modifications. It also examines and summarizes literature on the mitigation, rehabilitation and restoration of rivers affected by these human modifications. Data gaps in our current understanding of physical and biological process, the effects of human modifications, and appropriate rehabilitation or restoration techniques are also reviewed.

Authors:
Bolton,S. M., Shellberg,J.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
This report describes the results of a project to create a transportation database query system that demonstrates the feasibility of accessing roadway data from a multi-county region in the Puget sound area using a web browser. The system requires maps created from a GIS, a database system that supports SQL queries using PHP and Javascript code, and a server accessible from the web. The test web site created in this project allows users to select individual roadway segments for which data are available, and display various types of user-selected performance measures for particular time periods.A large portion of this document is aimed at helping Puget Sound Regional Council programming staff understand the steps required to operate and maintain the database and web software that constitute the system. This process is somewhat complex, although that complexity allows this system to be "easy to use" by transportation planning staff. This means that some portions of this document are really intended for (and primarily useful only to) individuals with a background in one or more specific computer programs used in developing the database/web system (such as ArcView GIS). Because this document assumes a working knowledge of those programs, and because some of the procedures described in this report can be performed equally well by a number of commercially available products (e.g., drawing or paint programs), detailed step by step instructions are not provided in those instances.

Authors:
Maldonado,W. F., Wright,D. R., Hallenbeck,M. E., Ishimaru,J. M.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
The SWIFT (Seattle Wide-area for Travelers) project was a field operational test of a wide area ITS communications system using a flexible FM sub-carrier High Speed Data System (HSDS). The test was conducted in a partnership with WSDOT, King County Metro Transit, Delco Electronics, Inc., IBM, Seiko Communications Systems, Metro Traffic Control and the Federal Highway Administration. Three devices were used, by the public, to receive the traveler a Delco car radio (capable of providing vector navigation in addition to personal paging and the messages); a Seiko wrist watch pager; and a portable computer (capable of providing graphic displays of traffic advisories and bus positions). After the 15-month test, interviews with the 600 Seattle commuters/participants were conducted to assess user acceptance. A communications study evaluated the adequacy of the HSDS system to disseminate traveler information. Architecture study assessed the effectiveness of the various components to carry out SWIFT operations. institutional issues study documented the history of the project and assessed the institutional issues confronted. A deployment cost study investigated the cost of deployment of a SWIFT system and assessment of potential profitability. The first five reports in this series detail individual aspects of the project.

Authors:
Wetherby,B., Perez,W.

Keywords:
Acceptance, Assessment, bus, computer, control, cost, counties, data, Deployment, effectiveness, evaluation, highway, Institutional, interviews, Issues, ITS, Miscellaneous Library, paging, portable computer, project, public, seattle, speed, Study, SWIFT, System, systems, traffic, traffic advisories, traffic control, transit, traveler information, WSDOT

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Abstract:


Authors:
Wetherby,B.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
The Seattle Wide-area Information for Travelers (SWIFT) Operational Test was intended to evaluate the performance of a large-scale, urban Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) deployment in the Seattle area. With the majority the SWIFT system completed by June 30,1996, the SWIFT Field Operational Test (FOT) evaluation was conducted from July 1, 1996 through September 20, 1997. The unique features of the SWIFT ATIS included the provision of information for multiple transportation modes, the delivery of this information using three different devices and the use of FM sideband as the primary communications medium. A total of 690 system users were recruited during the course of the study, including 520 Seiko Message watch users, 90 users of the Delco in-vehicle-navigation device and 80 users of the SWIFT portable computers.Purpose of Test. The SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study was one of five component studies to the overall system evaluation. This report details the findings for the SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study based on the evaluation objectives that were identified in the SWIFT Evaluation Plan (1 995). The primary objectives of the SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study were to assess the following:Importance of traveler information in travel planningUsefulness of SWIFT traveler information in travel planningMinimum set of user services and device features required to provide viable productand servicesUser perceptions of SWIFT device usefulnessWillingness-to-pay for different services.User perceptions of changes in travel convenience and efficiencyUser perceptions of changes in traffic congestion, air quality, energy consumption,and safety.Additional SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study objectives, conducted in support of the SWIFTArchitecture Study, were to assess the following:SWIFT system reliability from a user perspectiveSWIFT system availability from a user perspective.Methods. A variety of data-collection efforts were completed, including questionnaires, focus groups and telephone interviews. The questionnaires contained items that addressed objectives set out in the evaluation plan. The focus groups were conducted with small groups of users to obtain qualitative impressions from a smaller subset of users who were encouraged to speak openly and share their perceptions with other users. The SWIFT Consumer Acceptance Study focused on measurement and analysis of user perceptions toward SWIFT system usefulness and performance. No attempt was made to quantify the system level impacts of SWIFT services on congestion, air quality, energy consumption or safety in the Seattle region. Rather, the assessment of system-level transportation impacts was limited to examining subjective data (e.g., traveler's perceptions) collected from users and determining whether these perceptions were consistent with a benefit.Perceptions of Importance of Traveler In formationResults indicated that SWIFT users tended to place a high degree of importance on incident and congestion-related information in travel planning. Incident location and duration information was rated quite high in importance along with general traffic congestion information. For the group as a whole, information concerning bus schedule and route information and bus-location information was rated very low in importance, although these ratings were much higher in those users that actually used the bus. This was consistent with the automobile dependence reported by the group, and suggests that information concerning non-automobile options would not be used by the automobile-dependent group. Since users of the SWIFT portable computer were recruited from among transit users, this group generally rated transit information higher than other device users groups. However, the importance of this information was not as high as congestion and incident-related information. Receipt of various general-information messages was not rated very high in importance by questionnaire respondents, with the exception of weather, sports and news items. Most SWIFT respondents indicated that the receipt of financial and other environmental information was not important. Of course, from a transportation-impact point of view, the receipt of these general information messages was inconsequential. However, if device users were attracted by thesemessages it may make such services commercially viable to augment any potential benefitperceived by users through the receipt of travel-related information.Perceptions of S WIFT Traveler In formation UsefulnessUsers tended to view the messages they received from the SWIFT systems as accurate, reliable,timely, easy to understand and useful. Among device types, respondents representing users of the Seiko Message Watch expressed concern with the timeliness of incident-related messages. In addition, these respondents tended to rate ease of understanding lower than other user groups. Users of the Delco in-vehicle-navigation devices and SWIFT portable computers experienced problems in receiving personal-paging messages and these problems were reflected in respondent ratings. The map-based display provided by the SWIFT portable computer resulted in generally higher ratings for this device over other devices in understanding incident location and the nature of congestion. Seiko Message Watch users reported difficulty in understanding the extent of expected delay as well as the nature of congestion, while Delco in-vehicle-navigation device respondents reported difficulty in understanding the period of time for which a message applied. Generally speaking, SWIFT participants endorsed a wide-range of improvements to messages provided by the SWIFT system. Most seemed to consider the operational test as a suggestion of what might be possible, rather than a demonstration of a final product. Among Seiko Message Watch users, respondents expressed a desire for improved timeliness of messages as atop priority.

Authors:
Trombly,J., Wetherby,B., Dixson,A.

Keywords:
Acceptance, air quality, analysis, Assessment, ATIS, availability, bus, computer, congestion, congestion information, Consumer, data, data collection, Energy, environmental, evaluation, group, impact, impacts, improvement, incident, interviews, Miscellaneous Library, objectives, performance, planning, portable computer, quality, reliability, safety, seattle, Study, SWIFT, System, systems, traffic, traffic congestion, transit, transportation, travel, traveler information, urban

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Abstract:
The Seattle Wide-area Information For Travelers (SWIFT) project was a highly successful Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Field Operational Test (FOT) that was conducted over a four-year period from 1993 to 1997. The purpose of the project was to test the efficacy of a High Speed Data System (HSDS), or FM Sub-carrier, to disseminate incident, bus and speedlcongestion information via three different end-user devices: pager watch, portable computer and in-vehicle navigation device. Six hundred ninety (690) commuters, many with route- or mode-choice options, participated in the FOT and provided user-acceptance evaluations. Other evaluation components examined the system architecture, communications coverage, institutional issues, and consumer acceptance. The primary purpose of the SWIFT Deployment Cost Study was to provide an independent Life Cycle Cost Estimate (LCCE) of an operational and fully deployed SWIFT system. Moreover, it is intended to provide both the SWIFT participants and the FHWA with a measure of the commercial viability of \"SWIFT-like\" systems nationwide. Table ES- 1 shows the organizations that were included in the SWIFT Deployment Cost Study LCCE and commercial viability analysis.Table ES-1. Deployed SWIFT Participants (CostIRevenue Participants).Industry Government/InstitutionaISeiko Communications Systems, Inc. (SCS) King CountyMetro Networks University of WashingtonEtak, Inc.IBM (FOT Development Only)Delco Electronics (FOT Development Only)The methodology for the SWlFT Deployment Cost Study LCCE relied on standard proven costestimation and data collection and analysis techniques to provide cost estimates for each SWIFTparticipant shown above across the following three life-cycle phases:1) FOT development (costs of current SWIFT Test)King County Metro TransitUniversity of Washington (UW)2) Commercial Development (additional development and procurement costs for fullydeploying an operational SWIFT system (follows the completion of the SWIFT test)3) Annual Commercial Operations (annual operations costs for a fully deployed SWIFTsystem)A summary of the resulting life cycle cost estimate (LCCE) for the deployed SWIFT system ispresented in Table ES-2. Here, the FOT Development phase (based on SWIFT test actuals) wasestimated to cost $6.4 Million, the Commercial Development phase was estimated to cost $1.5Million, and the Annual Commercial Operations costs were estimated to be $0.8 Million.-- -SWIFT Deployment Cost Study I

Authors:
Jensen,M.

Keywords:
Acceptance, analysis, Annual, bus, computer, Consumer, cost, costs, counties, data, data collection, Deployment, development, evaluation, incident, Institutional, Intelligent transportation system, Issues, ITS, methodology, Miscellaneous Library, mode choice, networks, portable computer, project, seattle, speed, Study, SWIFT, System, systems, transportation, Washington

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Authors:
Kramer,S. L., Holtz,R. D.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
This report examines the feasibility of implementing an automated vehicle toll collection system for the Washington State Ferry System. The study concluded that such a system would pay for itself in four to five years. Impelementation of such a system is not recommended at this time, but it should be considered after similar projects, ongoing in other states, demonstrate that the AVI technology has achieved the accuracy and reliability requirements of a toll collection system.

Authors:
Rutherford,G. S., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
marine, AVI, automated toll collection, automated vehicle identification, Miscellaneous Library

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Authors:
Mannering,F. L., Jones,B.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:


Authors:
Rutherford,G. S., Hallenbeck,M. E., McCormack,E. D.

Keywords:
Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:


Authors:
Rutherford,G. S., McCormack,E. D., Hallenbeck,M. E., Harvey,R.

Keywords:
manual, Miscellaneous Library

Abstract:
This report documents the survey and analysis of cities and counties in Washington that the Washington State Transportation Center (TRAC) performed to determine the potential for traffic signal timing imporvements. This report identifies the majority of signal timing optimization candidate locations in the state and presents an initial prioritized list of those sites. It is produced for the Washington State Energy Office (WSEO) to provide that agency with the preliminary information needed to develop and implement an energy usage reduction program based on management efforts to improve traffic flow.

Authors:
Rutherford,G. S., Hallenbeck,M. E.

Keywords:
inventory of traffic signals, traffic surveillance and control, Miscellaneous Library