States to Have Highway Monitoring Systems by 2016

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule requiring the states and U.S. territories to have real-time traffic monitoring programs operational by Nov. 8, 2016.

The rule says, under the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU), the DOT is required to establish a “real-time system management information program” that provides the capability to monitor—in real-time—the traffic and travel conditions of the major highways of the United States and to share that data with state and local governments and with the travelling public.

The rule does not specify which type of monitoring technology to be used. According to the notices issued by the U.S. DOT, the rule establishes minimum parameters and requirements for states to make available and share traffic and travel conditions information via real-time information programs.

In addition, while the rule becomes effective Dec. 23, 2010, the establishment of the real-time information program for traffic and travel conditions reporting along Interstate system highways shall be completed by Nov. 8, 2014, while a real-time information program for traffic and travel conditions reporting along the state-designated metropolitan area routes of significance shall be completed by Nov. 8, 2016.

A system to monitor the traffic and travel conditions of the major highways of the United States and to share that information to improve the security of the surface transportation system is needed to address congestion problems; to support improved response to weather events and surface transportation incidents; and to facilitate national and regional highway traveller information, the notice says.

I think the rule is implemented to acknowledge the importance of real time information in solving traffic congestion and the importance of disseminating the information to travellers. Hope one day the importance of the real time traffic information is realised in other part of the world especially to those cities that are experiencing chronic traffic congestion during peak hours.

For further information, read States to Have Highway Monitoring Systems by 2016,

Hopefully, the congestion problem especially during major festive seasons will be the thing of the past.  Also read HERE for traffic congestion during festive season.

The system will also help in preventing this type of unnecessary traffic jam.

The system can also alleviate traffic congestion during incident on Penang Bridge.

The system can also be used in other part of the world to reduce traffic congestion.

Traffic Management Using Sensor Technology

City of Assen is equipped with sensors located throughout the city to guide users to use the best route, to advice on using public transport system and also to book for a parking slot. The sensors can identify when schools have finished their sessions so that travellers will not end up in the traffic jam. Also, the sensors can identify the stretch of road that is undergoing routine maintenance or construction. The sensors are integrated with traffic light system which enables the traffic lights to be responsive to real time traffic demand and to provide green-wave opportunity when necessary. Using the system can make travelling more fun and less stressful besides helping in reducing the detrimental to the environment.

Check-out the short-clip of the ease of using the technology.

Traffic Bottleneck

Business along this road is booming and during a typical day, most commuters will stop by and buy something to bring home. However, there is hardly any space for parking along the road and vehicle are parked alongside both of the roads causing severe congestion during peak hours.

It is time for the authority to find a suitable place nearby for them to sell their products and for users to park their vehicles. Within several years, I can foresee that the congestion along the road, if nothing is being done, will get out of control and tremendous amount of time will be lost due to congestion.

The Importance of Proper Planning

The cause of traffic congestion is partly due to poor planning. As pointed by this article, the relevant authorities should look into the overall picture of the development area and ensure that all infrastructures are provided adequately to the areas ahead of all of the new developments within and surrounding the areas. 

If the new development is allowed without improving the accessibility to the areas, traffic congestion will occur during peak period. The congestion will become worst during rainy season. 

Unnecessary Traffic Jam

I had to drive to Kuching yesterday for a meeting at 9 am and decided to drive just after 8 am to avoid traffic jam along the route. However, I and most of the road users had to endure unnecessary traffic jam as shown above and I kept on wondering what was going on because most of the time the traffic jam wasn't that bad along the route.

After patiently crawling along the route then I realize what causes the severe congestion. Just look at the picture below and everybody's time is wasted due to inconsiderate workers collecting rubbish along the road.

Since the road is a popular road to Kuching, the workers should have carried out their works early in the morning i.e. before rush hour so that everybody's time is not wasted.

That is one of the major reasons for unnecessary traffic jam in Kuching or in other place in Malaysia i.e. due to inconsiderate people hogging the busy road. Their action causes so much lost of opportunity time for other road users.

So as for myself, I had to endure for almost an hour in the traffic jam which usually took only half an hour to reach my destination. Luckily, I managed to arrive at the meeting place on time since I had decided to drive earlier than usual that day.

Traffic Engineers

All transportation related matters especially matters dealing with movement of cars, passengers and pedestrian should be left to Traffic Engineers. Traffic Engineers will do all of the study, simulation etc. in order to ensure a smooth flowing traffic and pedestrian with a given amount of budget. Depending on the budget allocated, the solution to the prevalent traffic congestion also very relative.

In case that the decision is given solely to the decision makers than what had happened in two Paris suburbs can occur in other parts of the world. There has been traffic chaos in the two Paris suburbs after their feuding mayors declared the same busy road one-way, but in opposite directions. One of the mayor, initially made the D909 one-way to reduce the amount of commuter traffic through his district. But the mayor of neighbouring suburb said this increased congestion in his area. Thus, he made his section of the road one-way in the opposite direction.

As expected, due to the contradictory road-signs in place, gridlock occurs causing severe congestion throughout the area. To read more about the incident please read HERE.

Image via Wikipedia

For the above incident, the traffic engineers should seek cooperation and clearance from both suburbs before implementing the changes to the street system.

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