Message from the Managing Director

Planning for TSMO. We say it, we understand it, but how much of it are we actually doing? I know and am aware of a few examples where State DOTs have engaged their regional MPOs and their own planning departments in an effort to obtain and apply TSMO strategies as viable solutions. Planning for TSMO also helps the multi-modal discussion and engages our partners as we look for strategies that can benefit more than just the passenger vehicle. From freight to transit to bicyclists to pedestrians, there are decisions that can be made to allow us to have TSMO options later.
 
One example is a subset application of hard shoulder running; bus-only shoulder use. Engaging your transit partners and proving the value of using the shoulder to be able to provide reliable bus-transit times is a common goal, as it will help the system from a mobility and capacity perspective. While showing the value of one project is good, if we can convince the right people to fund and build out the shoulders to a full lane width and pavement structure, this will allow the option to provide bus-only shoulder use anytime in the future after the roadway construction is completed.
 
Planning for TSMO can be more than just including TSMO options before a project is built, so we must continue to find all of the ways we can to elevate our ability to manage and operate the transportation system to its greatest potential.​

Seeking Operations Intern to Work in the National Operations Center of Excellence
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is seeking a graduate student to work in the National Operations Center of excellence (NOCoE) during the spring 2017 semester. Questions are due no later than COB December 15, to the attention of Mr. Strat Cavros, AASHTO Manager of Acquisitions, Contracts & Business Development (Contracts Manager), at scavros@aashto.org. AASHTO will strive to answer questions and send those answers by e-mails to prospective interns by December 22. Please send a cover letter and resume to Mr. Cavros no later than 4:00 PM EST December 29. It is expected that AASHTO will make selection no later than January 19. Please click here for further information.

Webinar: TRB Annual 2017 Meeting Preview 2017-Evolving the Next Generation of TSMO Research
 

Date & Time: December 13, 2016, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., EST

Brief Description: NOCoE will host this webinar, which will offer meeting highlights of the following: National Operations Center of Excellence update, AASHTO Subcommittee on TSMO Research Working Group update, TRB Committee Annual Meeting TSMO highlights, FHWA TSMO Research Directions, TSMO Research Directions at ITE and ITSA.

Please click here to register. 
 

See Something, Say Something Mass DOT Highway Video

This 13-minute See Something, Say Something video is part of a broader Security Awareness and Emergency Preparedness Training Program for Highway Division employees at MassDOT.  The training is being conducted by the Security and Emergency Management Department (SEM) at MassDOT.  The video and other parts of the training were developed with support from the Highway Operations Center and the Massachusetts State Police.  
 
The two hour training includes terrorism awareness, emergency family preparedness, active shooter awareness, see something say something, notification protocols, sensible precautions, security sensitive information, cyber security, incident responsibilities, emergency support function 1, and an overview of the different State Police and MassDOT business units that support security, incident and emergency management.

USDOT Seeking General Engineer

USDOT has an opening for a General Engineer to support our connected vehicle (CV), automated vehicle and smart city research. The USDOT’s ITS Program is a $100 million research program that coordinates and funds research in smart cities, vehicle automation, and a myriad of other innovative transportation projects. The USDOT is looking for a talented, visionary person to be the department-wide expert on CV communications. Please visit this link to find out more.

Webinar: Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Program Plan Development Roundtable

Date & Time: December 13, 2016, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., EST

Brief description:  Transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) - refers to multimodal transportation strategies to maximize the efficiency, safety, and utility of existing and planned transportation infrastructure. Strategies including but not limited to, traffic incident management, traffic signal coordination, freeway management, transit signal priority and bus rapid transit, freight management,work zone management, special event management, and road weather management.

Agencies that have completed their TSMO Program Plan development will conduct a TSMO Program Plan roundtable. These agencies will provide information on their experiences during the development of their respective plans. Information such organizing to get regional input from stakeholders; Developing Regional, Agency, and Program Plan goals, objectives and strategies in a fashion that links them all together; making the case of TSMO to the decision makers; and lastly, allow time for an open forum discussion with the attendees. 

Please click here to register and here for additional information.