Assisting TxDOT in Transportation Monitoring Systems

Project Description

Accurate and timely traffic data are basic to the entire transportation planning process and are essential to enable TxDOT to effectively meet the mobility needs of the state. This is particularly significant since the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) created the first federal mandate for statewide multi modal/intermodal planning and the Traffic Monitoring Management System/Highways (TMS/H). Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA:LU) continued this emphasis. These Federal provisions amplified the importance of collecting, processing, and analyzing traffic data. Emphasis on planning, the environment, intelligent transportation systems, and establishing management systems requires increases in the resources allocated to traffic data collection and analysis. Limited staff resources require prioritization of data collection efforts and maximization of effective and efficient data collection and analysis techniques and procedures.

The overall goal of this effort is to achieve a significant improvement in the quality of the state's planning data, evaluate existing and identify new data management techniques, and in general improve the timeliness and quality of traffic data under conditions of limited staff availability. This project provided close assistance to TxDOT's traffic data collection and analysis programs by reviewing and making recommendation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of these programs. Strengths and weaknesses, as compared to state of the art practices, were identified in the overall scope of this category of work.

TxDOT is in the process of developing an integrated traffic collection, analysis and reporting system that will satisfy the Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG) and Federal requirements, as well as better satisfy internal and external needs. The proposed Statewide Traffic Analysis and Reporting System (STARS) will replace the existing collection, analysis, and reporting processes which are not adequately integrated for roads on and off of the state-maintained highway system. One goal of STARS is to provide a method by which TxDOT districts, divisions and administration, as well as metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), local and state agencies and the general public can readily access traffic data. Other goals relate to improving the efficiency of traffic data collection, analysis and reporting by using state-of-the-practice technology. This project documented TPP's needs for STARS including assisting in the development of the STARS feasibility study, which culminated to the release of a Request for Offer (RFO). TTI staff provided continued expert assistance and review through the development of STARS by the technology contractor.

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