7 Expand Icm Concept - San Diego Forward

Near-Term Action – Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Concept

The implementation of an Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) concept is a key Transportation System Management Program strategy that focuses on maintaining the greatest mobility benefits through the application of innovative technologies that maximize network efficiencies across modes. Such efficiencies can result in decreases in both fuel consumption and transportation related emissions.

On April 21, 2016, the final piece of a system designed to guide motorists around major incidents along the Interstate 15 corridor was activated, providing travel choices and improving travel-time reliability. The system includes electronic freeway signs, alternate route signs, and coordinated traffic signal and ramp meters.

Since 2010, SANDAG has been working with its local partners (Caltrans, the Metropolitan Transit System, and the cities of San Diego, Poway, and Escondido) to demonstrate the benefits of this concept along the Interstate-15 (I-15) corridor. The I-15 ICM project focuses on maximizing the operations and management of the I-15 corridor with ramp meters, arterial signals, and the Rapid transit system. The ICM concept enables multiple systems to “talk” to each other to coordinate operations and maximize efficiency regardless of who owns or operates the individual system; monitors changing conditions and congestion based on real-time information; generates automated response plans; and re-evaluates and generates new response plans as traffic conditions change. An ICM concept includes the following key features:

Coordination of all existing networks and systems such as changeable message signs, 511 traveler information, ramp meters, and arterial signal systems to bypass major incidents or manage daily congestion
System automation to monitor congestion and select action plans
Real-time adjustments to traffic signal and ramp meter timing to better manage traffic entering or exiting the freeway and manage traffic signals across agencies
Enhance response and control: operating agencies within a corridor or system improve management practices and coordinate decision-making, resulting in enhanced management and response for minimizing congestion levels
Better inform travelers: travelers receive actionable multi-modal information resulting in more personally efficient mode, time of trip start, and route decisions

The update to San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, which would be adopted in 2019, anticipates the completion of the next ICM Concept of Operations Reports that would identify and expand on the ICM concept for up to three new corridors, in addition to existing Interstate 15. Concept of operations reports are an important first step in establishing the institutional and technical partnerships that will be required for successfully working together to achieve a common and unified vision for managing all modes as a single corridor regardless of jurisdictional/institutional boundaries. SANDAG is currently coordinating with Caltrans on the development of the next ICM concept by completing the I-805 south corridor Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Plan. Expansion of the next ICM corridor, to be managed by SANDAG, is expected to get underway in FY 2019 using the recently approved ITS/Operations on-call contract.

SANDAG was recently awarded a Caltrans Planning Grant to complete a Regional Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plan and key recommendations expected from the plan includes the development/ initiation of the first Concept of Operations. Work efforts are expected to get underway in early 2019.