Lesson

Select Transportation Management Center (TMC) design and location based on individual TMC needs and traffic realities.

Eight states' experiences with design and location considerations for TMCs.

10/1/1999
Atlanta,Georgia,United States; Boston,Massachusetts,United States; Detroit,Michigan,United States; Houston,Texas,United States; Long Island,New York,United States; Milwaukee,Wisconsin,United States; Phoenix,Arizona,United States; Toronto,Ontario,Canada

E-mail this Lesson  E-mail | Comment on this Lesson Post a Comment

Background (Show)

Lesson Learned

One area discussed is the design factors that influence long-term control center operations and maintenance. One important design factor is based on considering individual TMC needs and traffic realities when selecting the Transportation Management Center (TMC) location and creating the TMC design.
  • Create the TMC physical design to maximize space advantages. Create adequate space for the TMC to allow for the most optimal use of current space and for possible future expansion. Space should be reserved for each agency within the TMC to serve as "home turf" so that it can comfortably address sensitive internal issues, away from other TMC residents. Furthermore, consider that future additions of agencies and functions may be added to the TMC as a region recognizes the benefits of the facility. It is also important to keep in mind that TMC are unique facilities, and architects and engineers without familiarity with particular uses of the TMC may be likely to make design errors that will create operational difficulties or require expensive rework.
  • Locate centers where there is provision for easy access to the interstate network that they are responsible for. Two TMCs examined were located in congested downtown areas that hindered quick access to the highway network. All centers noted that locations that allow for convenient access of both passenger and large and less maneuverable vehicles are valuable.
  • Maximize value by considering co-location for multiple elements of ITS. TMC facilities can gain from designs that possess laboratory and testing facilities for evaluation of new equipment, testing of new or repaired units, and debugging interfaces between the equipment and computer and communications systems.

To most effectively meet the current and future needs of the TMC, thought should be given to the location and building layout of the TMC. Centers should avoid locating in areas without quick access to the interstate network they cover. In addition, space considerations should be taken into account for both current and future use. Addressing the two concerns of strategic locale and optimal physical design will allow TMCs to be more productive and efficient with their operations.

Lesson Comments

No comments posted to date

Comment on this Lesson

To comment on this lesson, fill in the information below and click on submit. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field. Your name and email address, if provided, will not be posted, but are to contact you, if needed to clarify your comments.



Source

Metropolitan Transportation Management Center Concepts of Operation: A Cross-Cutting Study

Author: Joint Program Office (JPO)

Published By: FHWA and FTA

Source Date: 10/1/1999

EDL Number: 10923

Other Reference Number: FHWA-JPO-99-020 / FTA-TRI-11-99-10

URL: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/2997

Other Lessons From this Source

Lesson Contacts

Lesson Analyst:

Jane Lappin
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
617-494-3692
jane.lappin@volpe.dot.gov


Rating

Average User Rating

0 ( ratings)

Rate this Lesson

(click stars to rate)


Lesson ID: 2006-00294