Strategies
Rider 42 recognized the role that traffic operations and travel option strategies will play in Texas’ future. The size of the congestion problem in the largest metropolitan areas is more significant than these actions will be able to address alone, but they do represent a part of the solution. These strategies were included in the 2030 Committee’s Transportation Action Program, a combination of business, commuter and agency actions that reduce peak-hour vehicle trips and efficiently use the existing roads.
Rapidly removing crashed vehicles, timing the traffic signals so that more vehicles see green lights, improving road and intersection designs, or adding a short section of roadway are relatively simple actions with big payoffs. The strategies summarized here and mentioned in each metropolitan area discussion can create congestion benefits if they are implemented on the congested roads and on many parallel and intersecting roads, lanes or transit routes.
Additionally, you may view each of the strategies in a single sortable table.
Traffic Management
Traffic management is an essential component of congestion mitigation. It can help improve the efficiency of the system by rapidly clearing collisions and stalled vehicles or improving signal coordination so drivers experience green lights as they move in the peak travel direction. While many of these are primarily agency actions, several of them will benefit from collaboration with businesses, commuters and neighborhoods.
Traffic Management Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Aggressive Incident Clearance |
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| Electronic Toll Collection Systems |
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| Reversible Traffic Lanes |
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| Signal Operation and Management |
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| Special Event Traffic Management |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Traffic Management Centers (TMC) |
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| Traveler Information Systems |
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| Truck Incentives and Use Restrictions |
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| Truck Lane Restrictions |
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Travel Options
Travel options during peak periods of travel can reduce congestion at very low cost. Reducing single occupant vehicle trips by encouraging practices like ridesharing or vanpooling can reduce roadway congestion. Travel options are implemented by public agencies who determine a variable pricing system, or by individual employers who choose to participate in telecommuting and compressed work week scheduling.
Travel Option Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities |
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| Cycle Tracks |
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| Flexible Work Hours |
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| Compressed Work Weeks |
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| Telecommuting |
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| Carpooling |
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| Real-Time Ridesharing |
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| Vanpooling |
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| Land Use Planning |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Transportation Management Associations (TMA) |
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| Trip Reduction Ordinances |
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| State Employee Trip Reduction |
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| Parking Management |
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| Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance |
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| Pay-To-Drive Off-Peak |
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| Variable Pricing |
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Active Traffic Management
Though relatively new to the United States, active traffic management refers to several congestion mitigation strategies used together to change traffic patterns, alter operating conditions, and modify road capacity on a minute-to-minute basis using current and near-future conditions. The strategies modify the way that travelers and shippers use the road and can postpone the onset and size of stop-and-go traffic congestion.
Active Traffic Management Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Active Traffic Management |
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| Dynamic Merge Control |
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| Dynamic Rerouting |
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| Dynamic Truck Restrictions |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Queue Warning |
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| Ramp Flow Control |
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| Temporary Shoulder Use |
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| Variable Speed Limits |
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System Modification
There are several approaches to using the road space more efficiently to reduce congestion and improve safety. Some of these ideas involve re-working the existing space by providing turn lanes or medians that channel traffic; some involve new intersection designs that reduce the number of conflict points; and some are approaches that take advantage of public transit or freight moving capabilities.
System Modification Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Access Management |
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| Bottleneck Removal |
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| Freight Rail Improvements |
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| Multimodal Transportation |
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| Ramp Configurations |
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| Collector-Distributor Roads |
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| Acceleration/Deceleration Lanes |
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| Commercial Vehicle Accommodations |
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| Diverging Diamond Interchanges |
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| Intersection Improvements |
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| Intersection Turn Lanes |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Innovative Intersections |
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| Continuous Flow Intersections |
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| Median U-Turn Intersections |
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| Quadrant Roadway Intersections |
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| Roundabouts |
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| Loop Ramps to Reduce Left Turns |
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| One-Way Streets |
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| Superstreets |
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| Express Bus Service |
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| Park-and-Ride Lots |
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Additional Capacity
Adding capacity is the most frequently cited approach to congestion reduction. Additional capacity is achieved through adding traffic lanes, construction of new roadways, managed lanes, or improved designs.
Additional Capacity Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Adding New Lanes or Roads |
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| Adding New Toll Lanes or Toll Roads |
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| Managed (HOV/HOT) Lanes |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Freight Shuttle System |
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| Grade Separation |
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These types of improvements are implemented by public agencies, private agencies, or a public-private partnership. Implementation of additional capacity, whether it be expanding the roadway or converting regular lanes into managed lanes, is difficult — it can be costly and time consuming.
Construction Improvements
There are well accepted methods for reducing the effect of construction projects. These include the use of design techniques that require less new construction, doing the construction in ways that reduce the time or the amount of road closures and accommodating construction techniques that also mean less maintenance over the many years of pavement life.
Construction Improvement Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Construction Contracting Options |
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| Reducing Construction and Maintenance Interference |
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| Pavement Recycling |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Shoulder Pavement Upgrade |
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| Sustainable Pavements |
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Funding Strategies
Funding is a critical aspect of transportation improvements. Projects and roadway improvements will not become reality without a funding mechanism in place. Traditional funding mechanisms like motor fuel tax, general revenue funds, and bonds will fund many transportation improvement projects; however, other funding opportunities should be identified in an effort to maximize flexibility in financing improvements.
Funding strategies may be implemented by public agencies, private agencies, or public-private partnerships. There are a number of funding strategies that may be used like pass through financing, fuel tax increases; vehicle miles traveled fee, vehicle sales tax, increased vehicle registration fees, or tax increment financing.
Funding Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Carbon Tax |
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| Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDA) |
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| Driver’s License Surcharge |
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| Fuel Sales Tax |
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| Fuel Tax Local Option |
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| Fuel Tax Statewide |
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| Indexed Fuel Tax |
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| Pass Through Financing |
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| Private Activity Bonds |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
Technical Information |
| Proposition Bonds |
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| Public-Private Partnerships |
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| State Sales Tax |
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| Tax Increment Financing |
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| Transporation Impact Fee |
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| Vehicle Registration Fees Local Option |
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| Vehicle Registration Fees Statewide |
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| Vehicle Sales Tax |
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| Vehicle Mileage Fee |
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Perhaps the best indicator of public support for transportation financing options is how well initiatives are received by the voting public. The State Transportation Funding Initiatives Report (Full Report | Executive Summary) summarizes the context on public support for federal transportation funding options and lists recent state initiatives both proposed and enacted to increase revenue directly for constructing new transportation infrastructure from 2008 to 2012.
Public Engagement
Public engagement is a crucial aspect of transportation planning, particularly when voter-approved funding mechanisms are considered to finance project costs. Public opinion of a proposed project can determine the success or failure of the project. Regardless of being required by law, studies agree that public outreach is a necessary component of successful project planning and can ultimately benefit the decision making process.
Public engagement strategies are implemented by the public agency or a private consulting firm hired to manage the process. The cost of these strategies ranges from minimal to high.
Public Engagement Strategies
| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
| Citizens Advisory Committees |
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| Crowdsourcing |
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| Electronic Updates |
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| Fact Sheets |
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| Opinion/Market Research |
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| Strategy |
Executive Summary |
| Project Newsletters |
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| Project Websites |
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| Public Hearings and Meetings |
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| Social Media |
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| Virtual Public Meetings |
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