New FHWA Study Offers Help To Improve Regional Transportation Operations

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a study that demonstrates how state and local agencies can work together to improve operation of the road networks in their regions.

The report, “Organizing for Regional Transportation Operations,” debuted at the annual meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This report is an essential tool for today’s transportation professionals and decision makers who must rely on improved transportation operations to enhance mobility and safety in their regions,” FHWA Administrator Mary E. Peters said. “Findings from the report’s six case studies demonstrate how a region can benefit when various government agencies organize to work together.”

The report focuses on six case studies in which innovative approaches to regional transportation operations were undertaken. The case studies involved the New York metropolitan area, the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas, the San Francisco Bay area, Houston, Phoenix, and Vancouver, BC.

The case studies were selected to present a variety of approaches that differ in regional size and characteristics, organizational structure, scope, and geography. They focused on large metropolitan areas with many findings broadly applicable to regions of all sizes. Despite differences among the locations, certain common critical elements emerged, including the importance of visionary, influential leadership and the need for a source of funding to support coordinated regional efforts.

“Organizing for Regional Operations” is a product of FHWA’s National Dialogue on Transportation Operations (http://www.nawgits.com/opdialog/) and was developed with assistance from the Federal Transit Administration and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

The free report will be available again at the FHWA booth at the National League of Cities exposition Dec. 6-7 in Atlanta. Copies also can be ordered via e-mail addressed to: vince.pearce@fhwa.dot.gov.

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