Freeway Bottleneck Removals: Workshop Enhancement and Technology Transfer

Project Description

Existing freeway systems need to be fine-tuned to maximize capacity. One of the most cost-effective solutions is implementation of lower-cost improvements to improve mobility where bottlenecks occur during peak periods on freeways. Implementing minor improvements on existing freeways in order to remove bottlenecks typically achieves high benefits yet is not routinely done by many agencies. This report summarizes the enhancement and pilot delivery of a Freeway Bottleneck Workshop designed to teach participants how to develop low-cost solutions to improve bottlenecks on freeway facilities.

Four half-day workshops allowed participants from various disciplines (design, operations, and planning) and agencies (city, county, state, and federal) to learn about bottleneck identification, causes, low-cost solutions, analysis and evaluation, case studies, and guidelines for successful projects. Workshop participants also had the opportunity to work in teams to analyze a real-world freeway bottleneck and to discuss opportunities for bottleneck removal in their metropolitan area. Researchers developed a website and educational module for university students and professors that will continue the technology transfer aspect of this work.

The enhanced Freeway Bottleneck Workshop is a resource that can be used to train and energize transportation agencies and their partners to make low-cost bottleneck removal a part of their normal routine for implementing projects that safely and reliably mitigate traffic congestion on freeways. The long-term implications of this project are elevated awareness of the extremely high benefits relative to costs and development of professional capacity to recognize opportunities and to analyze and select appropriate measures for successful freeway bottleneck removal projects.

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Link: Final Report

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