Transportation Committee
RECORD OF
MEETING
WORKING
GROUP B
DATE/TIME/PLACE:
ATTENDANCE:
DISCUSSION SUMMARY:
·
The department initiated the Winter Travel Advisory
(WTA) technology this past winter. This
technology relies on reports from snow plow operators regarding the conditions
of the roads during snowstorms.
Condition reports are posted on the web and are updated every four hours
or so.
The Information Exchange Network (IEN) is a
statewide initiative that will roll out in September 2004. This technology will enable NYSDOT to publish
road condition, construction and incident data on a well publicized travel
advisory website. This project is interfaced with other states CARS (condition
acquisition reporting System); General Dynamics is developing the interface.
· Henry Peyrebrune
suggested that a written assessment of ITS in the
Capital District should be the next step before we start visioning exercises
for ITS. This assessment should include clearly
stating what of ITS technologies are in operation today; what ITS improvements
are “committed”; and what ITS improvements are “next”. It was recommended that this assessment
include cost estimates and identify committed and potential funding sources. It was agreed that such a written statement
would be prepared by Jill Ross Schmelz for the
Thruway; Pat Bennison for NYSDOT; and Kristina
Younger for CDTA. Kristina also agreed
to give a presentation at the next meeting on CDTA ITS initiatives.
· It was also suggested that
we look at the market groups that were identified in the Travel task Force reports
to determine need by market group.
· CDTC staff efforts on data
mining the MIST data were discussed.
Sree Nampootheri presented a preliminary
analysis of speed and delay data using MIST for three locations on the
Northway. It was also suggested that peak hour in addition to peak period data
be analyzed. It was suggested that the
40 mph thresholds that were used should be compared against level of service
thresholds. It was also suggested that
the NYSDOT and CDTC performance measure of “excess vehicle hours of delay” (delay
at level of service E or F) should be explored.
Subsequent to the meeting, it was
determined that 50 mph would be a threshold that would correspond to the level
of service “E/F” threshold, and 60 mph hour would correspond to a level of
service D/E threshold, according to the Highway Capacity Manual. Staff explored the possibility of using a 50
mph threshold instead of a 40 mph threshold; and of calculating excess level of
service based on the MIST records in which speeds go below 60 mph. Initial results indicate this approach will
be very valuable. This work will be more
fully discussed at the next meeting
· Documentation of costs for
maintaining expressway facilities through 2030 is important and will need to be
comprehensive and include special costs for specific structures. Infrastructure needs should be considered
separately from potential costs of adding capacity.
ACTION ITEMS:
·
· Jill Ross Schmelz will prepare a write-up on Thruway ITS programs.
· Kristina Younger will prepare a write-up on CDTA ITS programs; and will give a
presentation at the next meeting on CDTA’s ITS
programs.
·
·
NEXT MEETING: