Research in Progress

P3 and Traffic Operations Data

In Texas, roadway congestion has continued to increase over the last 20 years as demand has outgrown capacity, especially during peak periods. In response to this growth, traffic managers turn to traffic operations strategies and systems to manage crashes, congestion, and emergencies occurring on the road systems. This project seeks to determine whether and how the Texas legislature can use legislation to optimize the use of public-private partnerships (P3) in support of the development and operation of roadway systems using active traffic management (ATM) strategies. Examples of ATM strategies are the use of real-time sensors embedded in roadways to indicate to DOTs where traffic congestion is occurring and then use overhead signal gantries to convert shoulders into lanes which can instantly add capacity to reduce congestion.

Traveler's Value of Time and Reliability as Measured on Katy Freeway

The benefits derived from transportation investments are often dominated by the value of travel time savings. But studies are showing the value of travel time reliability to be nearly as much as the value of time. This project uses an extensive dataset of Houston I-10 Katy Freeway travelers to explore how travelers are really valuing travel time savings and reliability offered by managed lanes. This research improves our understanding of the value travelers place on managed lanes and thus helps policy makers weigh investments for future projects offering travel reliability.

Methodologies Used to Estimate and Forecast Vehicle Miles Traveled

Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) calculations are used to forecast future revenues and are impacted by many factors, not limited to economic, environmental, and population variables. This research examines and assesses the methodologies currently used to estimate and forecast VMT. Researchers are: determining the state of the practice in Texas; identifying the various models and variables used to conduct such calculations; and proposing a methodology and system for forecasting VMT that benefits a wide array of users.

Regional Mobility Authorities: Where Are They Now?

A Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) is an independent local government agency authorized by state statute (Chapter 370, Transportation Code) with the primary functions of transportation project development, finance, and implementation. RMAs were authorized by the Texas Legislature and voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2001. Today there are nine RMAs across the state. The purpose of this research is to assess both the history and future of RMAs in terms of project implementation, finance, mobility strategies and the various approaches used by RMAs in transportation project development. The project will examine the role of RMAs with respect to MPOs, rural planning organizations (RPOs), and local governments. The project will also highlight RMA best practices, barriers and constraints, and present findings based on the assessment.

Transportation Reinvestment Zones

Legislation enacted in 2007 created Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZ), a tool that allows local governments to raise funds to help pay for transportation improvements using the property tax mechanism. Legislation passed in subsequent legislative sessions has made significant changes to law, facilitating the use of the tool by local governments. This project is: 1) identifying and summarizing the changes in the TRZ legislation that have been enacted since the law’s inception; 2) assessing the extent to which local governments have pursued TRZ implementation and identifying lessons learned; and 3) identifying impediments to implementation and findings to improve the current TRZ legal framework. The research is also updating the 2008 TTI-developed modeling tool used to assist in the analysis of TRZ value capture potential.

Economic Impact Analysis and Revenue Projection Modeling (TRENDS and TREDIS)

Ongoing updates are made to the TRENDS and TREDIS models as new data is gathered and analyzed.

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