Linking Planning and Operations in Las Vegas

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LinkingPlanning and Operations in Las Vegas

• Talking Operations Seminar
• March 23, 2005

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Thesis

• By bringing FAST under administration and
  operation of RTC, opportunities are available to
  develop a formal link between Transportation
  Planning and Operation activities.
• Initial challenges focus on reconciling planning
  and operation cultures.

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Presentation Points

• Role of RTC
• Role of FAST
• How and Why FAST was incorporated into RTC
• Examples of initial Planning and Operations
  linkages in Las Vegas

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Role of RTC (prior to FAST)

• Oversees the federally mandated transportation
  planning process
• Directs the expenditure of Federal and Local
  funds
• Ensures that transportation plans and programs
  conform to approved air quality standards
• Provides public mass transportation within
  Southern Nevada (currently does not include the
  monorail)
• Administers the regions trip reduction program

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Role of FAST

• Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation
  (FAST) serves as the regional intelligent
  transportation system. It combines operation of
  the metropolitan area signal system with the
  freeway management system.
• FAST will be housed with Nevada Highway Patrol in
  a 73,000 sf facility that will open in mid-2005.

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FASThow it Evolved

• In the 1980s, the Las Vegas Area Computer
  Traffic System (LVACTS) was created
• LVACTS provided coordination between NDOT and the
  local entities (Las Vegas, North Las Vegas,
  Henderson, Clark County).
• In 2003, LVACTS and the NDOT Freeway management
  system were combined into a single integrated
  organization (FAST).

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FAST (Administrative Control)

• Up until Summer 2004, FAST was under the
  administrative control of the City of Las Vegas.
• FAST reported to the Operations Management
  Subcommittee. The OMC did not report directly to
  a local political body.

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FAST (how transfer came about)

• In 2001, the RTC Community Coalition (RTC3) began
  to grapple with transportation issues and
  formulate solutions.
• The group first identified options to prevent
  gridlock, improve the transit system and protect
  air quality.
• Next, RTC3 established a subcommittee to address
  funding issues.

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Evolution of FAST into RTC (cont.)

• RTC3 could demonstrate that the 1990 local
  funding measure had made good on transportation
  promises.
• Therefore, the decision was made to recommend a
  new local transportation funding programthe Fair
  Share Funding Program or Question 10 (Q10).

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Evolution of FAST into RTC (cont.)

• Q10 promised funding for a variety of projects
  that are derived from traditional planning and
  operation disciplines
• Planning discipline projects included
• Earlier completion of the LV Beltway
• Construction of additional high-speed lane miles
• Operation discipline projects included
• Improved traffic signal synchronization
• Bus pull-out lanes
• ITS

FHWA Getting More by Working Together http//ops
.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/lpo_ref_guide/index.htm
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Evolution of FAST into RTC (cont)

• Q10 also provided transit fundingRTC is the
  Transit Operator
• Based on RTC3 / Q10 proposals, RTC would
  administer and operate FAST.
• In June, 2004, FAST was officially incorporated
  into RTC by the Local Board.

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Initial Changes

• FAST and the OMC now interact with the RTC Board.
• The FAST MANAGER (Niel Rohleder) reports directly
  to the person who oversees the MPO (Dr. Fred
  Ohene).
• The OMC shall recommend policy and oversee the
  day-to-day operations and operational parameters
  of FAST (DETAILS).
• The RTC shall establish policy, as recommended by
  the OMC (BIG PICTURE).
• FAST policy issues placed on the RTC agenda shall
  be considered Metropolitan Planning Organization
  Issues.

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Initial Changes (cont.)

• RTC funds FASTs arterial management component
• NDOT pays directly for the freeway component and
  will fund key positions but the positions will be
  RTC-FAST employees
• Q10 allows for 8-10 million per year for
  arterial improvements such as 100 miles of fiber
  / 100 new signals, CCTV devices, and arterial
  dynamic message signs

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Planning and Operation Opportunities

• With change comes opportunity. FAST can be
  closer to the planning component and the transit
  component.
• With Change comes challenges. How the Planning
  and Operation cultures interact.
• RTC has Transit Operations experience
• Metropolitan Area Express (MAX)
• Fixed Route System

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Operations impact on Planning Activities

• Air Quality Conformity
• Long Range Transportation
• Travel Demand Forecasting
• Corridor Studies
• Signal Synchronization

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Getting More by Working Together

• Why planning and operations?
• Planning and operation agencies share the goal of
  enhancing system performance and they can
  mutually benefit from stronger linkages.

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Benefits for Planners

• Understand how operational strategies can meet
  regional transportation goals
• Provide access to system-wide, 24-hour travel
  data
• Reveal how transportation plans can address
  issues such as reliability, security, and safety

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Benefits for Operators

• Greater understanding of how the long-range
  planning process can support MO activities and
  how these activities fit into the context of
  regional goals and objectives.
• Clarify the role of operations in meeting the
  regions transportation vision and goals.
• Increase resources assigned to operations
  projects and programs.

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Benefits for System Users

• Improved ability to address short- and long-term
  needs
• Improved Reliability
• Improved Emergency Preparedness

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Contact Information

• Brian Hoeft, PE
• Principal Planner (current)
• Associate Engineer (selected)
• Regional Transportation Commission of Southern
  Nevada
• [phone]
• hoeftb_at_rtcsnv.com