Overview
This white paper describes example best practices and reference material related to the identified implementation plan priority needs. The paper also suggests supportive national actions to improve TSM&O Culture; developing resources to support effective TSM&O business cases; clarifying the TSM&O “brand” at the national and association level – including a focus on the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE); and encouraging recognition that a TSM&O culture is essential to capitalizing on the range of emerging technologies related to automated and connected vehicles. Important roles are seen for FHWA, AASHTO, and the NOCoE in supporting these efforts.
Organizing for operations involves making transportation systems management and operations (TSM&O) a central part of an agency’s mission and institutional structure. This is accomplished by advancing TSM&O programs and projects within the agency. A specific guidance framework has been developed to help transportation agencies improve the effectiveness of their TSM&O activities. The framework, the "Operations Capability Improvement Process," is based on self-evaluation regarding the key process and institutional capabilities required from a transportation agency (or group of agencies) to achieve effective TSM&O.
This framework is adapted from a concept developed in the information technology (IT) industry called the "Capability Maturity Model," which has been tailored to the transportation community. To read more, please visit Planning for Operations.