FREEWAY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS HANDBOOK

This document is the third such handbook for freeway management and operations. It is intended to be an introductory manual - a resource document that provides an overview of the various institutional and technical issues associated with the planning, design, implementation, operation, and management of a freeway network. The goal is to provide the user with a better understanding of the wide variety of potential strategies, tools, and technologies that may be used to support management and operation of the freeway network. The handbook addresses the major changes in technology (e.g., ITS and architectures) that have occurred since the last Freeway Handbook was prepared. It also considers a broader view as well, including freeway management in the context of the entire surface transportation network, lane management concepts, roadway improvements (both geometric and operational), performance monitoring and associated measures, established processes for dealing with the risks associated with technology-intensive systems, and the role of freeway management during emergencies and evacuations. Specific chapters include introduction (background on the freeway network, definitions, congestion, safety, mobility), freeway management and the surface transportation network (the various interdependencies during the facility's life cycle), freeway management programs, performance monitoring and evaluation, roadway improvements, roadway operational improvements (e.g., signs and markings), ramp management, lane management, HOV facilities, traffic incident management, planned special event management, freeway management during emergencies and evacuations, information dissemination, transportation management centers, surveillance and detection, regional integration, and communications.