What is TSMO?
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) defines Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) as: “Integrated strategies to optimize the performance of existing infrastructure through the implementation of multi-modal and intermodal, cross-jurisdictional systems, services, and projects designed to preserve capacity and improve security, safety, and reliability of the transportation system” (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, 2012).
The NDOT Statewide TSMO Program
NDOT Statewide TSMO Program Plan – Executive Summary
NDOT TSMO Program Plan is a plan for placing Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) into practice throughout the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The TSMO Program introduces a set of strategies that support the integration of TSMO into the planning process.
The NDOT TSMO Program Plan builds on a performance-based planning approach to the management and operations of the transportation system by highlighting the successful accomplishment of currently implemented TSMO initiatives in the state of Nevada. This mobility-focused approach identifies end-users’ specific needs, institutionalizes TSMO activities and mobility strategies, and introduces cost-effective solutions to maximize the efficiency of the existing transportation system by addressing the identified end-users’ needs.
Why TSMO?
With projected population and traffic growth in Nevada, increases in system demand, technological advancements, and limited funding, NDOT recognizes the significance of embracing TSMO to facilitate more comprehensive management and operations of the transportation system. This performance-driven program focuses on the surface transportation system and the policies and business processes that are applied to manage and operate this system in the most effective way possible. The TSMO Program introduces an innovative approach by integrating multiple disciplines, breaking down unproductive barriers, and formalizing processes to maximize collaboration across NDOT divisions.
Strategies offered by TSMO are used to proactively address transportation challenges (such as recurring and/or non-recurring congestion, safety, mobility, and reliability). This performance-driven program focuses on the surface transportation system and the policies, business processes, technologies, infrastructure, and systems applied to manage and operate this system more efficiently. A summary of the business case for TSMO and a discussion of some TSMO strategies as they relate to the challenges Nevada is provided here:
TSMO Business Case for Divisions
What will TSMO do for NDOT?
TSMO solutions can significantly contribute to addressing transportation challenges as highlighted in the infographic above. Therefore, internal stakeholders (such as NDOT Divisions) and external stakeholders (such as Regional Transportation Commissions and other local agencies) along with partnerships will effectively implement TSMO as a core function. These efforts will utilize TSMO elements such as the TSMO Evaluation Tool to identify opportunities for integrating TSMO solutions and addressing operational challenges.
The NDOT TSMO Program Plan presents a five-year action plan to implement the TSMO Program as part of a cross-jurisdictional approach to achieve Nevada’s transportation vision and objectives. The Program Plan includes three main components:
- Strategic Elements
- Programmatic Elements
- Tactical Elements
These components and elements are developed in alignment with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) TSMO Primer as well as the One Nevada Transportation Plan to ensure transportation efforts are aligned at both national and agency levels. This plan includes recommendations on the update cycle of the specific elements to ensure all TSMO efforts are up to date.