riders on bus

Implement Transportation System Management

Transportation system management (TSM) strategies improve the flow of traffic without adding additional roadway lane-miles. They frequently provide a relatively low-cost way to increase roadway system performance. However, not all TSM strategies are inexpensive. TSM measures are useful when:

  • A roadway is approaching congestion, but general street or highway capacity increases may not be feasible or in keeping with the community vision.
  • Financial constraints prevent implementation of general street or highway capacity increases.
  • Traffic congestion exists only at specific bottlenecks that can be addressed with TSM improvements.

Issue Brief

How Can Cities and Counties Plan Using Transportation System Management?
Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) considers the full range of options for maximizing the performance of existing transportation infrastructure without expanding the infrastructure itself (e.g. adding general purpose lanes, constructing a new interchange, etc.). TSMO strategies can include physical changes to the roadway, changes to how the roadway is used, and efforts aimed at reducing demand for use of the roadway (also known as Transportation Demand Management, or TDM).
View the brief.

Best Practice Actions

  1. A number of innovative strategies can be used to manage traffic congestion, including Travel Demand Management (TDM). The Washington State Transportation Center (TRAC), in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), developed a useful website that identifies “Problems,” “Strategies,” “Intelligent Transportation Systems,” and “Contacts for Learning More” to help WSDOT executives, non-engineers, planners, and engineers to walk through each of these components:

    How: Learn More sections provide quick links to scoping and design resources and training classes that cover the strategies’ use in detail.

Benefits of Implement Transportation System Management

Limiting access to arterials can significantly improve the flow of traffic. Lanes can be reserved permanently or only during peak hours for transit or high-occupant vehicles (HOV) to improve transit reliability and maximize the ability to move people when lane capacity is limited. Limiting on-street parking can free space on a roadway for through traffic without widening the street.

One-way street networks can improve traffic flow by reducing turning movements and congestion. Turning vehicles that share through-lanes will delay through-vehicles. Prohibiting these movements (all day or at peak periods) improves through-traffic flow at the expense of increased travel distances.

Railroad grade separations delete a traffic stop because the railroad line is no longer crossing the street at-grade.

Tools & Resources

Access Control on State Highways
WSDOT
Integrating Operations into Planning/Programming
FHWA
Traffic Management Feasibility and Screening Guide
FHWA
Transportation Systems Management and Operations
WSDOT
Growth Management Act: Goals #5, 11 and 12
Washington State
Traffic Signal Coordination
WSDOT
High-Occupancy Vehicle, High-Occupancy Toll, Managed Lanes
TRB
Planning for TSMO With Corridors
Federal Highway Administration

Connection to State Policy



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Responsive traffic signal systems reduce delays and travel times

The City of Gresham upgraded traffic signals along East Burnside Road to adaptive signal timing, which adjusts to real-time traffic flow. As a result, average travel time along the corridor decreased by 16 percent, benefiting automobiles, trucks and buses. (See page 6)


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