1. TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS: GETTING THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! GPA Fall Conference 2013 Garth Lynch, PE, AICP HNTB Corporation October 10, 2013

2. Agenda Overview of study Identification of bottlenecks Potential operational strategies Project prioritization Next steps

3. Metro Atlanta OPS OVERVIEW OF STUDY

4. Study Area All limited access facilities in metro Atlanta Emphasis on improving the Interstate mainline

5. Objectives Identify bottleneck areas Identify and evaluate potential low-cost improvements Quick implementation – 6 months to 5 years Document a prioritized list of operational projects

6. Metro Atlanta OPS IDENTIFICATION OF BOTTLENECKS

7. Identification of Bottleneck Locations Data InputsUser Inputs Speeds & countsBus drivers Aerial congestion survey Unit operators GPS speeds & duration of congestion GDOT TMC staff Stakeholders

8. Causes of Bottlenecks High volumes Weaving Lane drops/additions Last minute decision making Lack of storage on ramps and/or high turn volumes Tight turning radii and/or steep grade on ramps Frontage road access Limited access facility terminates at signalized intersection Suspected drainage issues

9. Identified Bottleneck Locations

10. Metro Atlanta OPS POTENTIAL STRATEGIES

11. Potential Strategies Added Corridor Capacity (MLIP) Improved Design Geometrics Intelligent Transportation Systems Freight Demand Management & Policy Considerations

12. System-wide Strategies for Consideration 1)Expand ITS 2)Advanced queue warning signs 3)Variable speed limits 4)Dynamically shoulder usage 5)Upgrade CCTV cameras / traffic flow monitoring 6)Increase crash investigation sites 7)Modify ramp meters to permit 2 cars per green 8)Expand quick response incident clearance 9)Expand HERO units 10)Modify truck lane restrictions

13. Types of Location-Specific Strategies for Consideration 1)Variable / dynamic ramp closures (closed to all vehicles v. closed to unauthorized vehicles) 2)Auxiliary lanes (new or using shoulder) 3)Collector / distributor roads 4)Modifications to frontage road access 5)Channelization 6)Re-striping 7)Interchange reconfigurations (Diverging Diamond Interchanges, etc.)

14. Types of Location-Specific Strategies for Consideration 8) Turning prohibitions 9) Additional ramp meters 10) Modify existing ramp meter operations 11)Modify ramp geometrics, with a focus to better accommodate trucks 12) Automated truck rollover warning systems 13) Ramp meter bypass lanes for transit and vanpools

15. Potential Strategies Potential Solutions: 71 operational strategies (13 types) at 45 locations Potential Solutions: 71 operational strategies (13 types) at 45 locations

16. Active Traffic Management (ATM) Source: FHWA Best Practices for Road Weather Management: Minnesota DOT I-35W Smart Lanes: Active Traffic Management. Located at: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12046/rwm17_minnesota1.htmhttp://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12046/rwm17_minnesota1.htm Lane Control Signals During an Incident

17. Source: Washington State Department of Transportation Smarter Highways: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/smarterhighways/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/smarterhighways/ ATM Sign Example Variable Speed Limit Sign Example Active Traffic Management (ATM)

18. Ramp Meter Bypass Lane for Transit

19. Innovative Interchange Reconfiguration Options Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Partial DDI Modified Displaced Left Turn

20. I-75 / I-85 (Downtown Connector) at Williams St N Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd Williams St. W Peachtree Pl From To Williams St. Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd W Peachtree Pl Option 1: Left turns would shift to W Peachtree Pl Option 1: Prohibit left turn at Ivan Allen Jr Blvd Option 2: Provide SB right turn arrow & re- stripe taper Source: Google Option 3: Add 2 nd right turn lane from Ivan Allen Jr Blvd to Williams St Option 4: Allow 2 nd right turn/thru lane

21. Strategies Being Considered by Cost Range OPS projects being input into project prioritization process – 71 projects totaling approximately $159 M

22. Metro Atlanta OPS PROJECT PRIORITIZATION

23. Project Prioritization Structure Goals

24. National & State Goals

25. Local Goals

26. Project Prioritization Structure

27. Preliminary Project Prioritization Structure No.ThemesPerformance Measures 1Transportation mobility Vehicle throughput Changes in travel speeds or travel time savings Reduction of vehicle delay Facilitation of transit options 2Financial feasibility Cost Benefit/cost ratio 3Safety Anticipated reduction of crashes Anticipated reduction of incident response time 4 Connectivity and economic growth Facilitation of current major freight movement Connectivity to current major employment centers 5 System preservation and environmental sustainability System preservation Level of environmental impacts 6Project support and readiness Project readiness General constructability and schedule

28. Metro Atlanta OPS NEXT STEPS

29. Next Steps

30. www.dot.ga.gov\MLIP Kyle Mote GDOT Office of Planning (404) 631-1987 kmote@dot.ga.gov

31. SR 400 at Holcomb Bridge Rd (SR 140) Holcomb Bridge Rd. SB Off-Ramp Dogwood Rd. Added Thru Lane Added Right Turn Lane N Source: Google Thru Lane Option 1: Add right turn lane and one thru lane

32. I-85 North at Hamilton Mill Rd N Source: GA GIS Clearinghouse Braselton Hwy. Hamilton Mill Rd. Existing Proposed Step 1: Create indirect left turn intersection and eliminate SB left turn Step 2: Eliminate one SB lane and add NB lane Step 3: Create free flow right turn lane SR 124 Source: Google Hamilton Mill Rd.

33. I-285 S at I-85 S Interchange N Source: Google US 29 Option 1a: Widen and restripe existing merge from I-85 NB to create two-lane on-ramp Option 1b: Restripe Old National Hwy. On-ramp Old National C/D I-85 NB

34. I-285 W / I-20 W Source: GA GIS Clearinghouse N Option 1: Add 2 mainline lanes on I-20 WB from I-285 SB/NB Option 2: Create new C/D road and continue ramps onto new bridge over I-285 Option 1: Drop mainline lane on I-20 WB to I-285 SB