15.2 Concepts

15.2.1 Definitions

The FHWA defines TSMO as a “set of strategies that focus on operational improvements that may maintain and even restore the performance of the existing transportation system before extra capacity is necessary.” TSMO is not limited to the deployment of a single strategy, and it ultimately represents the optimization of safety, reliability, and mobility for the existing system with limited resources.

15.2.2 TSMO Project Scopes and Strategies

There are various TSMO project types and strategies. Each strategy involves varying levels of resources to implement and has varying levels of impact on traffic operations and safety. Table 15-1

shows example
projects categorized by strategy and project scope.

Table 15-1: Example TSMO Projects Categorized by Strategy and Scope
Strategy	Project Scope
Strategy	Systems-level	Operational	Physical Infrastructure
Work Zone Management	Coordinating road projects Lane closure policies TxDOT’s Design Guidelines for Deployment of Work Zone ITS and Go/NoGo Decision Tool After-action reviews	Temporary speed monitoring system Queue detection and warning system Service patrol	Travel time dynamic message signs (DMS) units Speed or queue detection sensors CCTV cameras Temporary pull-off areas
Traffic Signal Coordination	Traffic management center (TMC) Preemptive method for re-timing signals	Automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPM)	Cellular modems or radios Traffic signal surveillance cameras Battery backup units
Traffic Incident Management (TIM)	Emergency operations center (EOC) Video-sharing agreements Data collection Multidisciplinary training After-action reviews to complete TxDOT’s After-Action Report form	Pre-planned detour routes Emergency vehicle preemption Tow company rotation list Tow and Go program Service patrol	CCTV cameras Equipment staging areas Preemption sensors Crash investigation sites
Traveler Information	DriveTexas.org Third-party navigation applications (Google, Waze)	Traveler information dissemination along key corridors	Traveler information DMS units In-vehicle devices that display static and dynamic information
Service Patrols	TxDOT’s Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Roadside Assistance Program	HERO trucks designated to patrol specific key corridors	Wide shoulders Service patrol calling signage
Ramp Management	Ramp closure and metering standard operating procedures	Ramp metering along a corridor Exclusive HOV bypass lane or ramps Automatic ramp closure	Automated ramp closure gates Ramp metering signals Pavement markings Ramp widening
Special Event Management	Special event traffic control plan guidelines and standards Special events calendar	Traffic management plan Pre-planned detour routes Alternate traffic signal timings	Destination signage Permanent DMS units near large and frequently used event venues
Managed Lanes	Automated toll billing via mail or electronically	Bypass lanes designated for trucks, HOV, transit, or tolls Dynamic lane reversal	Dynamic price DMS units Pavement markings Additional lanes designated for trucks, HOV, transit, or tolls Reversible lane signage Toll infrastructure
Road Weather Management	Weather-related maintenance protocol and standard operating procedures AVL equipment tracking	Ice prevention pretreatment Flood and ice detection and warning system	Automated closure gates Flood and ice detection sensors Flashing warning beacons CCTV cameras
Active Traffic Management	Traffic management center (TMC) Performance measure goals and tracking	Adaptive traffic signal control Dynamic lane reversal Adaptive ramp metering	Vehicle detectors Communications equipment CCTV cameras DMS units Reversible lane signage Ramp metering signals
Transit Management	Transit vehicle tracking	Transit signal priority	Preemption sensors Additional lanes designated for transit vehicles
Integrated Corridor Management	Traffic management center (TMC) Signal timing improvements	Pre-planned detour routes Adaptive ramp metering Tow and Go program	CCTV cameras Traveler information DMS units
Freight Management	Designated truck routes	Oversize/over-height detection and warning system Truck parking availability information dissemination	Parking availability DMS units Oversize/over-height sensor Flashing warning beacons Truck route and parking signage
Rural Emergency Response	Lane closure policies	Emergency vehicle preemption	Wide shoulders CCTV cameras

15.2.3 Benefits

TSMO strategy selection is based on objectives and benefits. Successful implementation of TSMO strategies may include the following benefits:

Safety improvement;

Congestion alleviation;

Improved travel time reliability;

Improved air quality;

More efficient resource consumption; and

Informed traveler decision-making

15.2.4 Planning and Programming

The overarching TSMO vision, mission, goals, and objectives are defined by TxDOT and presented below. See Appendix P, Section 2 – External References (Reference 1)
for TxDOT’s Statewide TSMO Strategic Plan and Appendix P, Section 2 – External References (Reference 2)
for a list of links that lead to each individual TxDOT District’s TSMO Program Plan. These TxDOT plans can be integrated into plans of MPO regional areas, District areas, and local areas. Specific TSMO and TDM strategies are customized for the area in which they are implemented, but all TSMO strategies are recommended to align with the Statewide TSMO vision.

15.2.5 Statewide TSMO Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives

Statewide TSMO Vision:
Improve safety and mobility for all modes of transportation by integrating planning, design, operations, and maintenance activities and acknowledging all opportunities for innovation.

Statewide TSMO Mission:
Through innovation, collaboration, and performance-based decision making, the existing transportation facilities are developed, constructed, maintained, and operated cost-effectively, with the end user in mind.

Statewide TSMO Goals and Objectives:

Safety
– Reduce crashes and fatalities through continuous improvement of traffic management systems and procedures.

Reliability
– Optimize travel times on transportation systems in critical corridors to evaluate that travelers are reaching their destinations in the amount of time they expected for the journey.

Efficiency
– Implement projects that optimize existing transportation system capacity and alleviate congestion.

Customer Service
– Provide timely and accurate travel information to customers so they can make informed mobility decisions.

Collaboration
– Proactively manage and operate an integrated transportation system through multijurisdictional coordination, and cooperation between various transportation disciplines and partner agencies.

Integration
– Prioritize TSMO as a core objective in the agency’s planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance activities.

15.2.6 Data

In the context of TSMO and TDM, data is used to determine effective strategies, make realtime changes to the transportation network (e.g., modify traveler information or signal changes), communicate project impacts to the public, and monitor performance.

For general information about data (types, collection framework, etc.) see Chapter 2
of this manual. For information on performance measurement, see Section 15.4
.