The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is making significant strides in its Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) program, particularly with the innovative Virtual Queue Protection Corridors (VQPCs).
By leveraging advanced passenger and commercial vehicle data from INRIX, the VQPC initiative is revolutionizing how traffic is monitored and managed, enhancing safety and efficiency on Pennsylvania’s roadways. Recently, PennDOT was honored with the top TSMO award from the National Operations Center of Excellence, a testament to the program’s effectiveness and impact.
What is the Virtual Queue Protection Corridors program?
Virtual Queue Protection Corridors program is designed to reduce crashes and save lives. Using real-time data from INRIX, PennDOT developed a proven way to automate vehicle queuing alerts in a repeatable approach using existing changeable message signs and Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) software.
The Role of INRIX Data
The automated alerts were developed around the real-time INRIX traffic data, as it provides detailed insights into traffic speeds, travel times, and congestion patterns, without any field infrastructure. Utilizing INRIX data, when speeds drop below pre-defined thresholds anywhere on a defined corridor, automated messages are posted on message signs approaching the queue. These messages alert motorists to the presence of the queue and the distance to the back of queue, and are automatically updated in real-time. The use of INRIX data allows corridors to be deployed anywhere in the state where there are message boards that are connected to PennDOT’s ATMS system.
Key Benefits and Outcomes of the VQPC Program
- Significant Crash Reduction: Data from 11 activated queue protection corridors showed a remarkable decrease in crashes—from 1,808 per year before activation to 1,625 after, representing an 11% reduction. Fatal and injury crashes dropped by over 20% in one-third of the corridors.
- Enhanced Truck Safety: Advanced queue detection allows commercial truck drivers to slow heavier vehicles more effectively. The analysis revealed a 13% reduction in rear-end crashes involving trucks and nearly a 50% decrease in fatal crashes.
- Travel Time Savings: Drivers in these corridors recouped an estimated 72,116 hours of travel time in the year following activation. Notably, truck drivers saved around 10,075 hours.
- Monetized Benefits: The reduction of 183 crashes translates to an estimated total savings of $53.4 million for Pennsylvania drivers annually. Additionally, the travel time savings contributed to $2.2 million in savings for motorists, and operational savings, including fuel and maintenance costs, amounted to nearly $300,000 per year, with over $100,000 of that benefiting truck operations.
Conclusion
PennDOT’s Virtual Queue Protection Corridors, powered by INRIX traffic data, not only represent a transformative approach to traffic management but have also garnered national recognition for its impact. The program’s focus on data-driven decision-making and safety is reshaping how transportation professionals manage congestion and improve safety in Pennsylvania. As PennDOT continues to enhance its TSMO initiatives, the success of the VQPC program serves as a model for future innovations in traffic management. By prioritizing safety and efficiency, PennDOT is paving the way for a smarter, safer and more reliable transportation system that benefits all road users. Learn more at inrix.com/products/ai-traffic/.