This synthesis documents the state of the practice associated with designing, implementing, and operating active traffic management (ATM) on arterials. Information for this synthesis was gathered through a literature review of advanced ATM methods for arterials and in-depth telephone interviews of agencies selected through a screening interview. The study has provided information on strategies used to actively manage traffic and congestion on arterials; situations and operating conditions in which ATM strategies have been successfully and unsuccessfully deployed on arterials; and system and technology requirements associated with implementing the strategies.
Active traffic management (ATM) is the adaptation of facility configuration and controls in response to or anticipation of variations in demand, incidents, and weather to optimize facility operation. The objective of ATM strategies on arterials is to maximize cost-effectiveness of the facility. The purpose of this synthesis was to document the state of the practice associated with designing, implementing, and operating ATM on arterials. This was accomplished through a literature review of advanced ATM methods for arterials and an in-depth telephone survey of agencies that had indicated through a pre-screening process that they had a high degree of knowledge and experience implementing ATM on their arterial streets.
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