Overview
Restoration of traffic signals, removal of lane-blocking debris, and managing detours for longer-term closures are essential to enable and facilitating emergency response, restoration of transportation services, and economic recovery. For the 2020 hurricane season, Florida DOT District 3 developed the Electronic Signals and Traffic Operations Response Management (eSTORM) system. The system included adding traffic signal status fields with pictures to already in place databases, enhancing the mobile app to input data directly into the database through drop-down menus, and upgrading efforts for traffic control and detours through connected portable traffic signals, cameras, and changeable message signs which communicate with the D3 Regional Traffic Management Centers (RTMC). As a result of the success of the eSTORM data collection app and dashboards, eSTORM is now a statewide storm management tool available in all FDOT districts. It is also available to other states with a traffic signal database build on an ArcGIS platform. District 3 intends to continue using TSMO strategies to assist with detour traffic management.
In this case study you will learn:
- How Florida DOT enhanced severe storm and hurricane response through use of a Electronic Signals and Traffic Operations Response Management System (eSTORM).
- How easy to use input screens and data collection dashboards help emergency responders, Traffic Management Centers and contractors see and quickly repair damaged traffic signals
- How eSTORM helped to reduce travel times on detours during storm events.
Background
The northern Gulf Coast of Florida boasts of beaches, fishing, and boating. The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico also exposes coastal communities to hurricanes. The main coastal roadways are signalized arterials. Winds, flying debris, rain, and flooding extensively damage traffic signals, span wires, mast
arms, and cabinets. Power outages are frequent. Restoration of traffic signals, removal of lane-blocking debris, and managing detours for longer-term closures are essential to enable and facilitating emergency response, restoration of transportation services, and economic recovery.
· District 3 had experienced a very powerful storm, Hurricane Michael, in 2018. Based on experience with previous hurricanes, District 3 learned they needed efficient, reliable, and real-time tools for:
· Quick, reliable, efficient, and sharable storm-related traffic signal and roadway damage, operational status, and repair data collection.
· Data analysis tools and dashboards to support emergency management, response resources management, and traffic management decisions.
· Mobilization of temporary traffic signals and other TSMO strategies to support traffic operations during recovery.
TSMO Planning, Strategies and Deployment
TSMO Planning for Hurricane Response Management
For 2020 “hurricane season,” D3 developed the Electronic Signals and Traffic Operations Response Management (eSTORM) system. Legacy systems incorporated and enhanced as a part of eSTORM included the statewide traffic signal database and a mobile data collection smartphone application. District 3 also developed a toolbox of TSMO strategies to support emergency traffic management and operations.
Traffic Signal Database Enhancements
The FDOT traffic signal database was originally developed to track equipment, software, and communication connectivity of traffic signals using an ArcGIS platform to show signal data easily on maps. Enhancements included:
· Added status fields such as signal dark, flashing, portable generator, and flooded.
· Developed user-configurable dashboards to improve signal status awareness for FDOT’s emergency managers in real-time.
· Added pictures so emergency managers can remotely “see” damage, repairs, and operations of each signal.
eSTORM Mobile Data Collection App
The mobile data collection app was originally developed for FDOT and consultant staff damage assessment teams (DAT) and Situational Awareness Teams (SAT). FDOT enhanced the mobile app to input data directly into the new operational and damage fields in the database through drop-down menus. Also, emergency repair contractors can input data as repairs are made.
TSMO Strategies to Support Emergency Traffic Management
D3 had developed a series of detour plans to alleviate traffic conditions on a major bridge on US 98 along the Gulf of Mexico. In planning for the 2020 hurricane season, D3 identified TSMO technologies and strategies to manage detour traffic. These included connected portable traffic signals, cameras, and
changeable message signs which communicate with the D3 Regional Traffic Management Centers (RTMC).
TSMO Implementation for Hurricane Sally Emergency Response
D3 preparations were put to the test in response to Hurricane Sally, which hit the Florida Gulf Coast on September 16, 2020, as a Category 2 storm. The storm flooded roadways, damaged traffic signals, and caused widespread power outages. The US 98 bridge was closed due to hurricane damage. The hurricane also caused signal damages including flooded cabinets, power loss, span wire, etc.
eSTORM Implementation
D3 used emergency contracting procedures to activate SAT with eSTORM app to collect and document storm-related damages. Through app, SAT crews were able to complete an initial assessment of 450 traffic signals in the Hurricane Sally path in less than 48 hours. 69 of the 450 signals were found damaged, flashing, or dark. SAT and signal emergency repair contractors used the app to regularly update signal repair and operational status including the status of generators deployment.
Detour TSMO Implementation
TSMO and traffic operational strategies were implemented for the US 98 detour.
- Temporary traffic signals and channelization.
- Florida Highway Patrol and Road Ranger Service Patrols deployed to quickly respond to incidents, active signal timing adjustments, temporary CCTV, and channelization.
- Traffic signal timing adjustments, portable CCTV, and channelization.
Communications Planning and Execution
The app and the dashboards were designed for efficient, real-time, and effective communication between FDOT’s managers and emergency response staff. The dashboards were available to everyone who was granted access to the database/dashboard user interface. Status of the US 98 detour was made available to other agencies and the public through FDOT’s website.
Outcome, Learnings and Public Benefit
As a result of the enhanced emergency-response management enabled by eSTORM and the dashboards, FDOT was able to effectively manage DAT, SAT, and emergency contractors so that all signals were operational within one week after Hurricane Sally’s landfall. As a result of the District use of TSMO and temporary traffic operational improvements on the US 98 detour, traffic conditions rapidly improved. Travel times on the detour were reduced by over 20 minutes in the AM peak period and over 10 minutes in the PM peak. PM travel times were impacted by one crash and another, less severe, hurricane. As a result of the success of the eSTORM data collection app and dashboards, eSTORM is now a statewide storm management tool available in all FDOT districts. It is also available to other states with a traffic signal database build on an ArcGIS platform. District 3 intends to continue using TSMO strategies to assist with detour traffic management.