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That leaves approximately $900 million in total for congestion mitigation projects through 2030, or about $55 million annually. This reality requires a new approach to man- agingcongestion inthe metropolitan highway system, which is what the MHSIS will begin to address. ~, 11CQ~8 ~frafe~~g sCl' ~~I~~Et~c`t.j~` flt~~G~~ri~Cl~~ The challenges of managing the metropolitan highway system call fora 21st century solu- tionthat istechnology-based, multi-modal, and problem-focused, with an emphasis on system- widemanagement. Rather than focusing on building capacity alone, the new strategy will focus on improvements that build on existing management strategies and provide relief to identified problem areas throughout the system. • Managed lanes (either conversion or expansion), such as the MnDOT MnPASS lanes, where rush- hourtraffic islimited tohigh-occupancy vehicles (carpools and buses), motorcycles, and single- occupantvehicles willing to pay a toll to use the lane. • Additional active traffic management techniques, such as the existing ramp meter, sign-messag- ing, traffic volume detection, traffic camera sys- tem, and new technologies. • Strategic capacity enhancement projects, includ- ing projects to extend lanes or otherwise add capacity in specific locations to ease bottlenecks. Includes lower-cost, high-benefit projects, where a smaller scale, more affordable project to re- movebottlenecks orimprove traffic flow can help congestion. • Access management for Interregional Corridors (IRCs), which involves limiting private access and managing public access to these highways. State Road Construction Program Funding Through 2030 (Metro-Area Allocations, in millions) Bridges $1,290 Communil Coopera~ Team Transit /Other Safety $19015% Pavement and "" 'reservation OM136% The State Road Construction Program for the Twin Cities metro area through 2030 will include about $900 million for congestion mitigationlcapacity projects, or less than 25 percent of the total investment. (IRCs provide signficant connections between regions of the state, particuarly for freight traf- fic.)The state, working with county and local governments, will manage access to optimize the performance of the existing routes. New public access, or newlreconstructed inter- changes toexpand capacity to meet safety concerns, will only be considered if they are consistent with MnDOT's criteria and adopted regional priorities. • In addition, staff are examining other types of projects on the system, including resurfacing and replacement projects. Potential congestion relief strategies will also be examined as part of preservation projects to assure the greatest benefit for the resources expended. Active Traffic Management Techniques The Twin Cities region has used so-called Active Traffic Management techniques for many years to improve traffic safety and make the highway system operate as effi- ciently as possible. Examples include; • Cameras • Traffic volume detectors • Ramp meters • Changeable message signs •High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and Mn- PASS lanes • Bus-only shoulders • 511 traveler information • Freeway Incident Response and Safety Team (FIRST) In the future, technologies such as queue warning (alerting drivers to an incident or congestion up ahead) and dynamic re-routing (providing an alternate route to avoid con- gestion)will also be part of the metro region strategies. The Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) project, that brought $133 million in federal funds for congestion relief in the I-35W corridor, shows how several dif ferent strate- gies can be used to address issues in one corridor. Pictured above is a MnPASS lane with motorist information signs to indicate incidents ahead. Specifically, the MHSIS will produce potential so- lutionsthat may provide improvements for sys- tem-wide benefit, These solutions will be ranked according to defined principles, including specific methods for measuring performance, and will provide a reservoir of projects to draw from if ad- ditionalfinancial resources become available. study pl'ogre~~ and related eftc~~ The MHSIS began in late 2009; with a review of methods other major metropolitan areas are us- ing toaddress congestion. Work is underway to analyze various strategies and apply established performance measurements, including how a particular strategy addresses safety, congestion, ability to move people, and cost. The study will be completed in early summer, which is when draft amendments to the Trans- portation Policy Plan will begin to move through the Transportation Advisory Board's committees. METRO HIGHWAY SYSTEM INVESTMENT STUDY ~ METRO HIGHWAY SYSTEM INVESTMENT STUDY Congestion Mitigation Safety Capacity $900 / 24%