Measuring the performance of the transportation system through metrics such as flows and delays is an essential activity for Departments of Transportation and local traffic management agencies. Performance measurement is a strategic method to track longterm traffic changes and assess the effectiveness of transit investments and policies.
It also serves as a tactical means of monitoring day-to-day traffic operations.
The Freeway Performance Measurement System (PeMS) database logs data from freeway traffic detectors, as well as incident-related data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and accident data from Caltrans. PeMS provides the ability to extract various representations of data. PeMS holds value for everyone interested in obtaining real-time or historical traffic information for operational, planning, or research
purposes.
From 2006 to 2007, CCIT implemented a focused training initiative to increase
awareness, usage, and interest in freeway performance measurement among Caltrans operations and planning personnel. The initial outreach was tailored to three distinct groups at Caltrans: executive management; deputy district directors for planning and operations; and middle-management and staff. Subsequently, CCIT, Systems Metrics Group, and Berkeley Transportation Systems delivered 35 day-long training classes designed to teach hands-on PeMS exercises to over 500 attendees statewide, including staff from several metropolitan planning organizations.
The training was well-received and stressed the importance of archived data,
performance measurement, and evaluation as the foundation of good system
management. It also opened the eyes of many practitioners to the quality and relevance of PeMS as an everyday tool. The following additional activities will continue to promote performance measurement:
• The training classes will be taken one step further, moving into specialized modules and turned over to UC Berkeley’s Technology Transfer Program.
• A PeMS workbook that contains a range of sample exercises will be developed to complement the training.
• An online forum for PeMS users will enable constructive interactions and feedback.
• Continued outreach initiatives and performance measurement workshops will be organized for Caltrans and the staff at local agencies.
PeMS can bring about a cultural shift in how operators think about system management and level of service. This will be increasingly important as transportation agencies bring additional focus on performance measurement to justify investment decisions. |
