Overview
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Implementation and Strategic Plan documents Michigan’s strategic direction, actions, and recommendations for operating and managing an optimized, integrated transportation network by delivering high-quality services for safe and reliable mobility for all users. The foundational components of this plan include the MDOT TSMO Mission and Vision, shown below, which provide guidance and values to support Michigan’s development of an innovative and cohesive TSMO program.
MDOT TSMO MISSION
Operate and manage an optimized, integrated transportation network by delivering high-quality services for safe and reliable mobility for all users.
MDOT TSMO VISION
- Integrate Operations as a core MDOT program united with the execution of MDOT’s overall mission.
- Inspire public confidence as a progressive and innovative national leader in the management and operations of our transportation system.
- Collaborate across program areas, leveraging technology and resources to achieve the best possible results.
- Maintain a sustainable and engaged Operations workforce with exceptional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Building on these foundational components, the plan contains TSMO Strategic Areas of Focus that align with and support a series of priority action items and recommendations for implementation for each of 10 MDOT TSMO business areas and five TSMO commonality areas that represent synergistic areas of overlap among the business areas. The priority action items and recommendations are supported and structured by detailed matrices for each business area and commonality area. These matrices specify MDOT staff support, resource needs, timelines, performance measures, and more for each action/recommendation to move forward.
The most up-to-date versions of these matrices are “living documents” associated with this plan, as they are designed to be updated and revised as progress is made. The dynamism of the MDOT TSMO Implementation and Strategic Plan and its associated matrices provide a means for MDOT to continue leading the field in transportation innovation and leveraging technology to achieve the best possible results.
ABBREVIATED RECOMMENDATIONS
The priority recommendations of the TSMO Implementation and Strategic Plan, which represent a series of key actions that MDOT TSMO staff recommend the agency implement first to launch MDOT’s advancement in TSMO capability, are briefly stated and summarized below (see pages 26-30 for detailed recommendations).
- Determine the appropriate number of full-time equivalents (FTE) required for the optimal performance and maintenance of TSMO field activities.
- Develop a TSMO Functional Integration Group with two over-arching groupings (Advanced Operations and System Performance) and implement improvements for MDOT’s Transportation Operations Center (TOC) structure.
- Integrate TSMO as a core program area in the Call for Projects.
- Develop and implement a formal investment strategy for all business areas under the “TSMO umbrella.”
- Establish a standard process for estimating the lifecycle Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs of all TSMO projects.
- Explore combining the MDOT Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program funds into one funding source; regions would compete for CMAQ funds.
- Determine one uniform emissions benefit calculation process for prioritizing projects statewide.
- Determine what source/mechanism will fund the O&M of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), signals, and technology capital investments.
- Establish a TSMO template(s) to have reliable/sustainable funding plans for the following programs:
- Traffic incident management (TIM).
- Recurring Congestion/Mobility (to align with Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act requirements).
- Real-time signal performance.
- Connected and automated vehicles (CAV).
- Establish a TSMO Steering Team that meets on a regular basis.
- Increase flexibility of project delivery processes for high priority TSMO projects, allowing MDOT to more efficiently respond to needs and deliver projects.