Transportation Systems Management

The Transportation Systems Management (TSM) approach to congestion mitigation seeks to identify improvements to enhance the capacity of existing system of an operational nature. Through better management and operation of existing transportation facilities, these techniques are designed to improve traffic flow, air quality, and movement of vehicles and goods, as well as enhance system accessibility and safety. 

Transportation systems management strategies are low-cost but effective in nature, which include, but are not limited to:

• Intersection and signal improvements
• Freeway bottleneck removal programs
• Data collection to monitor system performance
• Special events management strategies

Traffic signal and intersection improvements include such elements as:

• signal timing optimization
• controller/cabinet and signal head upgrades
• vehicle detectors repair/replacement
• communication with a central system
• turning lanes
• grade separations
• pavement striping
• lane assignment changes
• signage and lighting

Freeway and arterial bottleneck removal consists of identifying congested locations and improving such elements as:

• insufficient acceleration/deceleration lanes and ramps
• weaving sections
• sharp horizontal/vertical curves
• narrow lanes and shoulders
• inadequate signage and pavement striping
• other geometric deficiencies

The identification and elimination of traffic bottlenecks can greatly improve traveling conditions and enhance system capacity, reliability, and safety, especially during peak periods.  TSM projects can complement the major capacity improvements and infrastructure by providing improved traffic flow on arterials and local streets.

NCTCOG's Current TSM Projects:

Regional Traffic Signal Program
The Regional Traffic Signal Program (RTSP) represents the next evolution of NCTCOG's commitment to enhancing various aspects of transportation, including improved air quality, enhanced travel reliability, increased transportation efficiency, reduced delay, minimized fuel consumption and vehicle emissions, and alleviated congestion across the region. Previous endeavors toward these objectives were undertaken through the Thoroughfare Assessment Program (TAP) and continued with the Regional Traffic Signal Retiming Program projects. The RTSP program comprises four main components:

1. Conducting a Regional Traffic Signal Inventory to provide an overview of traffic equipment, capabilities, and operations across the region. The report can be reviewed here (pg 6).
2. Developing a list of regional needs with associated planning-level cost estimates. The report can be viewed here (pg7).
3. Establishing Regional Traffic Signal Minimum Standards aligned with the goals of the RTSP. The report can be viewed here (pgs 4-5).
4. Procuring a Performance Measures Traffic Signal Platform. The link to the platform is here.
5. The retiming of traffic signals throughout the region. (In progress)

Regional Traffic Signal Retiming Program
The purpose of the Regional Traffic Signal Retiming Program (RTSRP) is to improve traffic flow and enhance the capacity of existing arterial systems by implementing new signal timing and low-cost operational improvements along selected corridors. Improved and coordinated traffic flow will result in improvement of the air quality standards in the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area. This project is implemented in two phases as listed below:

RTSRP Phase 1: This phase of the program was completed in March 2014, and included 26 corridors with 500 signalized intersections in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.  Review the RTSRP Phase 1 Executive Summary prepared by Kimley-Horn and Associates.  Review the RTSRP Phase 1 Executive Summary prepared by HDR.

RTSRP Phase 2: This phase of the program was completed in December 2017, and included a total of 1315 signalized intersections in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Review the RTSRP Phase 2 Executive Summary prepared by Kimley-Horn and Associates. 

RTSRP Phase 3:  This phase of the program began in November 2014, and a total of 580 Signalized intersections in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area were retimed. By April 2019, selected corridors had been implemented under this phase of the project. Review the RTSRP Phase 3 Executive Summary prepared by HDR;  and the RTSRP Phase 3 Executive Summary prepared by Kimley-Horn and Associates.

RTSRP Phase 4: This phase of the program began in December 2015 with the development of timing plans for two pilot corridors along the frontage roads of SH 360 in Arlington and SH 161 in Grand Prairie. The success of these pilot corridors provided the justification for continuing the project. In September 2019, the consultant received a notice to proceed and commenced work on the remaining frontage road traffic signals that met eligibility criteria. The project was successfully completed by August 2022. Throughout the implementation, equipment was deployed at various locations to detect increases in traffic on the frontage roads during traffic incidents on the freeway. A total of 280 traffic signals were involved in this phase of the subject. Read the reports on the corridors below.

RTSRP Phase 5  This phase of the program began in June 2019, and a total of 491 signalized intersections in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area were retimed. Review the RTSRP Phase 5 Executive Summary prepared by Kimley-Horn and Associates. Review the RTSRP Phase 5 Executive Summary prepared by HDR.