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Local TMCs should "start small" with technology testing and focus on successful solutions for a focused deployment approach, says Road Commission for Oakland County.

RCOC, which administers the second-largest TMC in North America, attributes its success to its refined approach to testing new technologies.

Date Posted
12/26/2018
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Identifier
2018-L00849

Challenges in Building and Operating a TMC for a Local Government

Summary Information

The Road Commission for Oakland County serves Oakland County, Michigan, and has maintained a real-time Traffic Management Center for more than 25 years, being one of the first local road agencies to introduce ITS technologies in the early 1990s. Its FAST-TRAC system is the second-largest traffic-signal system in North America. RCOC recently released a white paper summarizing its short- and long-term experiences in developing ITS expertise.

Lessons Learned

The primary lessons learned from building and operating local TMCs highlighted in the report include:

  • Systems should be technology driven, adapting to new technologies.
  • When testing innovative technologies, start small and focus on the successes to consolidate a focused approach.
  • Be prepared to test more technologies than you implement--only a few trials will materialize into field deployments.
  • Customers expect real-time information and quick resolutions to any problems. It is important that they have relevant information at their fingertips.
  • Personnel are important--agencies should make an effort to properly train and retain qualified staff.
  • Adaptive signals bring significant value in terms of superior operations.
  • Communications upgrades can be important for supporting future growth. They can also provide reduced down time, lower operational costs, augment system security, and support partnerships.
  • It is possible to leverage public-private partnerships to maximize available agency funds for deployment and reinvestment.

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