Overview
The Minnesota pilot site has undertaken an effort to test data and analytical tools developed through the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) 2 Reliability focus area. The purpose of these tools is to facilitate the improvement of travel time reliability on highways by reducing the frequency and effects of events that cause travel times to fluctuate in an unpredictable manner. The SHRP 2 reliability data and analytical tools evaluated by the Minnesota team are intended to address travel time variability in one of three ways:
1. Establish monitoring systems to identify sources of unreliable travel times (Project L02)
2. Identify potential solutions to cost-effectively improve reliability (Project L07)
3. Incorporate consideration of travel time reliability into transportation agencies’ planning and programming framework (Project L05)
The Project L02 data and analytical tools were pilot tested by collecting vast amounts of traffic and nonrecurring conditions data and compiling it in a travel time reliability monitoring system (TTRMS) for purposes of conducting reliability evaluations. The L07 benefit-cost tool was evaluated in a number of facets, including usability, performance, and sensitivity testing. Guidance from Project L05 to incorporate reliability into the planning and programming process was introduced to a wide audience of stakeholders through an extensive outreach effort of meetings, workshops, and web conferences.