Congestion

This report shows the results of a study on traffic data and congestion.

The Metropolitan Freeway System Congestion Report is prepared annually by the Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) to document those segments of the freeway system that experience recurring congestion. This report is prepared for these purposes: • Identification of locations that are over capacity • Project planning • Resource allocation (e.g., RTMC equipment and incident management planning) • Construction zone planning • Department performance measures reporting

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) conducted this study of the I-94 corridor between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Mn/DOT's purpose was to identify potential improvements to the physical facilities and traffic operations that existed prior to the I-35W bridge collapse in August 2007, while establishing an overall vision for potential improvements in the I-94 corridor, including improvements for both general traffic operations and transit services. Recommendations that result from this study were focused on meeting or exceeding the established project goals: - Better utilize existing infrastructure investments; - Preserve or enhance advantages for transit and carpoolers, as well as for general traffic; - Provide a congestion-free choice for Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV); - Preserve or enhance corridor safety.

In order to gain a broad perspective of incident management, Mn/DOT gathered key members of local agencies and organizations commonly involved in incident-handling activities. From a collaborative examination of the issues, Mn/DOT hoped to arrive at new directions and innovative solutions to heavy truck incident management and, further, to the entire incident-related congestion problem.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, the Cities of Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, and private sector companies propose the Operational Test of an advanced traffic management system called Integrated Corridor Traffic Management (ICTM). The I-494 Corridor was chosen for the proposed test. The initial limits, from east to west, are 34th Avenue South and East Bush Lake Road. The north/south limits include the existing parallel routes formed by 76th-77th Streets on the north and 79th-80th Streets on the south. Implementation of the proposed operational test will occur in four modules spanning a four year period. The approximate cost of each module ranges from $1.5 to $2.5 million. Each module will be evaluated for its effectiveness prior to the implementation of the successive module. An integrated approach is needed to adequately handle current, short-term, and long-term travel demand in the I-494 Corridor. The I-494 Corridor Study found that no realistic I-494 mainline improvement would satisfy forecasted travel demand within the corridor without the development of a parallel arterial system. Studies associated with the preparation of the I-494 Draft EIS corroborated that finding. These same studies found that the average trip length on I-494 is less than two miles long. Redirection of these local/short trips to a convenient, continuous, more efficient parallel arterial will reduce delays, congestion, and the number and seventy of incidents on I-494. The goal of the proposed demonstration of ICTM is to improve the efficiency of traffic movement throughout the I-494 Corridor. This will be achieved by applying a combination of traffic management strategies developed through inter-jurisdictional cooperation and coordination. These strategies will be applied to both the freeway and the adjacent arterial system.

Traffic congestion is the largest problem on Twin Cities metropolitan area freeways. National estimates indicate that congestion causes 65 percent of all accidents. Congestion reduces the mobility of all freeway users and the overall economic efficiency of the freeway. Congestion also increases fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions. In order to reduce congestion, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is aggressively developing freeway traffic management and incident management systems. These systems have relatively low capital costs, can be implemented quickly, and are very effective in reducing much of the congestion and accidents. The Highway Helper program is a key component of Mn/DOT's expanding traffic management systems. The program is designed to reduce traffic congestion on the most congested metropolitan area freeway segments. Highway Helpers accomplish this mission by patrolling freeway routes searching for, responding to, and removing congestion-causing incidents. During the first five years of operation, the Highway Helper program averaged 8,100 motorists assists per year. In March 1993, the management of the program was transferred to Mn/DOT's Freeway Operations Section located at the Traffic Management Center (TMC) and the hours of operations were expanded. Since then, the number of motorists assisted each year has increased to an average of 11,200 per year. Public support for the Highway Helper program has been outstanding. Perception tracking surveys indicate that approximately 76 percent of the public surveyed are aware of the program and 87 percent of those people think that the program is a good use of state tax money. Over 1,500 response cards or letters have been received from the motorists assisted by Highway Helpers and 96 percent of these motorists rated the Highway Helper program as excellent.

Traffic congestion is the biggest problem on Twin Cities metro area freeways. It causes 65% of accidents, reduces the mobility of freeway users, affects the economic efficiency of the freeways, and substantially increases fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions. To reduce congestion, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is aggressively developing freeway traffic and incident management systems. These systems have low capital costs, can be implemented quickly, and are very effective in reducing congestion and accidents. The Highway Helper Program is a key component of Mn/DOTs expanding traffic management program. Highway Helpers patrol freeway routes in heavy duty pickup trucks searching for and responding to incidents. They reduce traffic delays through prompt clearing of incidents from the metropolitan freeway system and provide aid to stranded motorists. During the first five years of operation, the Highway Helper Program averaged over 8,100 motorists assisted per year. Management of the program was transferred from Metro Division Maintenance to the Traffic Management Center (TMC) in March 1993. Since that time, this number has increased 58% to almost 12,800 motorists assisted per year. The increase is due primarily to expanded hours of service. There is nearly unanimous motorist support for the program reflected in the 900 response cards or letters received each year. Ninety four percent of the motorists assisted by Highway Helpers are either very satisfied or extremely satisfied with the service. Twenty five percent of these motorists recommend that Mn/DOT expand the service by adding more trucks and covering additional miles. This report presents an overview of the program.

As has been the situation in other major metropolitan areas, the recurring peak hour congestion problem has illustrated a need for freeway operation beyond the signing, striping, police and maintenance activity. It is now also apparent that surveillance and control measures are but a part of a necessary Traffic Management System incorporating the full range of detection, observation and response capabilities. This report documents the activities of the Minnesota Highway Department in the area of freeway surveillance and control and how these activities are in keeping with an ultimate Traffic Management System for the seven county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Current projects are located on I-35E in St. Paul/Ramsey County and I-35W & 1-94 in the Minneapolis/Hennepin County area (Figure 1).

This is the executive summary of the 2005 MnPASS System Study Final report.

These are the appendices for the 2005 MnPASS System Study Final Report. The contents are: Appendix A. Capital Cost Estimates Appendix B. Details of Travel Demand Estimates Appendix C. Sensitivity Analysis of Cost Recovery Ratio to Discount Rate Appendix D. Segment Evaluation Summary