Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) provides transportation management and operations strategies enabled by intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to optimize the use of existing infrastructure in a selected corridor network, while enhancing safety and reducing the negative externalities associated with congestion. As part of a planning study for the Buffalo-Niagara Integrated Corridor Management (BNICM) deployment, analysts implemented a microscopic-mesoscopic simulation model to evaluate ITS technologies and strategies along key freeway corridors. The microscopic model simulated individual vehicle characteristics and interactions, and the mesoscopic simulation provided operational information at an aggregate or regional level.

A detailed analysis of the impacts of two ICM strategies was conducted using the calibrated model:

• ICM Strategy Package A included dynamic traveler information, freeway incident detection, service patrol, ramp metering, variable speed limits and queue warnings, and variable toll pricing.
• ICM Strategy Package B retained Package A ICM strategies and added a signal coordination strategy to provide a network-wide response plan.

Cost estimates for deploying an incident detection system, expanded freeway service patrol, ramp metering system, variable speed limits and queue warnings, and signal coordination along the I-190 corridor were developed using version 4 of Federal Highway Administration’s Tools for Operations Benefit Cost Analysis. Table 1 summarizes the estimated levelized annual costs for deploying the elements in Package A, and the additional costs for the signal coordination in Package B. Cost information was estimated for each sub-system including capital, operating and maintenance costs as follows:

• The levelized annual cost for Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) was calculated for six DMSs, including the costs of communication lines, towers and equipment costs.
• For ramp metering, the levelized annual cost value included the cost components for 28 ramp meters in total.
• For the variable speed limit and queue warning system, the levelized annual cost value represented the capital and operation and maintenance cost for system deployment and equipment across 28 miles of I-190.
• For freeway incident detection, because I-190 had sufficient existing camera coverage, no additional field cameras were assumed as part of the BNICM deployment. The levelized annual cost value included the capital, operation and maintenance cost of the incident detection system and two incident response vehicles and labor.
• For Package A, the total estimated levelized annual cost was $4,936,110. For Package B, the cost was calculated as the sum of Package A costs and the additional cost of signal controllers and upgrades for the signal coordination strategy for 26 signals along the Niagara Street corridor. The additional levelized annual costs of $173,306 for this component results in a total estimated levelized annual cost of $5,109,416 for Package B .