The Transportation Systems Management and Operations 101 Quick Bite introduces transportation professionals to the foundational strategies of Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO). Learn how TSMO optimizes safety and efficiency by leveraging innovative approaches such as traffic incident management, congestion pricing, and connected vehicle technologies. This resource covers real-world applications, planning integration, and agency best practices to mainstream TSMO. Explore the latest insights and strategies to enhance system performance and drive smarter transportation solutions. Download now to transform your approach to transportation operations.

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The "New Design Guide for Bus Stops Adjacent to Cycling Infrastructure in British Columbia, Canada" Quick Bite highlights innovative design strategies for integrating transit stops with cycling infrastructure. Based on the award-winning Design Guide for Bus Stops Adjacent to Cycling Infrastructure, this resource addresses accessibility challenges and offers 45 actionable recommendations to improve safety and efficiency. With insights from pilot projects across British Columbia, it provides practical guidance for transportation professionals. Whether you're improving wayfinding, mitigating conflicts, or designing for all users, this Quick Bite delivers essential tools for modernizing multimodal transportation systems.

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“How Metropolitan Planning Organizations Can Address Public Health” explores how MPOs can integrate health considerations into transportation planning, ensuring communities benefit from safer and more sustainable networks. This Quick Bite details four key strategies: engaging public health professionals, developing health-focused plans, incorporating health into long-range planning, and prioritizing health in transportation programming. With practical examples and actionable insights, this paper is essential for transportation professionals committed to enhancing public health through effective planning. Download and share to build healthier, more resilient communities today!

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"Equity and Intelligent Transportation Systems" is a must-read Quick Bite for transportation professionals aiming to create more inclusive and accessible mobility solutions. This resource dives into how ITS technologies can bridge gaps in transportation accessibility for disadvantaged communities. It explores key equity challenges, highlights cutting-edge technology applications, and showcases impactful programs like the ITS-JPO and Smart Columbus. Packed with actionable strategies and real-world insights, this essential guide equips professionals with the tools needed to drive meaningful change. Download and share this resource to transform transportation systems for a more equitable and accessible future!

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“Why Accessibility Matters to Transportation Professionals” provides essential insights for those looking to enhance the effectiveness of transportation systems. By shifting the focus from mobility to accessibility, this paper highlights how planners can foster equity, optimize land use, and prioritize projects that truly connect people with opportunities. With practical examples and user-friendly tools, this Quick Bite is a valuable resource for transportation professionals seeking to create more inclusive and efficient systems. Download and share to start making impactful improvements today!

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Updated with MUTCD, 11th edition content

The Quick Bite report on "Vehicular Traffic Warning Signs for Buses" highlights the pressing need for an advanced warning sign for busway and BRT crossings in the United States. With the completion of numerous significant transit projects, the absence of such a sign in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) has become increasingly apparent. The ITE Transit Committee formed a task force to address this gap by studying symbols used worldwide and coordinating with ongoing FHWA research efforts. Key insights from the report include:

• Global Symbol Synthesis: An analysis of over 50 variations of bus symbols used in different countries, identifying eight primary groupings.
• Survey Results: A survey of over 300 North American transportation professionals to determine preferences for bus crossing symbols. The survey highlighted a preference for certain design elements, leading to the development of a hybrid symbol concept.
• Ongoing FHWA Research: Summary of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) efforts in a pooled fund study to assess traffic control device symbols, including the proposed bus crossing symbol.

 By understanding global practices and leveraging survey insights, professionals can contribute to the adoption of effective bus crossing symbols in future MUTCD revisions.

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As urban populations surge and the demand for sustainable development grows, transportation professionals face the challenge of minimizing vehicle travel without expanding road capacity. The District of Columbia Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Comprehensive Transportation Review Guidelines offer a forward-thinking solution by setting new benchmarks for site design, curbside management, streetscape design, and more.

This case study, part of the Multimodal Transportation Impact Analysis (MTIA) series, highlights DDOT's innovative urban development review, prioritizing multimodal impacts since 2012. Key strategies include:

• Reduced off-street parking to lower driving demand.
• Focus on non-auto mitigation measures, like bike and pedestrian facilities.
• Multimodal trip generation for comprehensive travel pattern analysis.
• Pedestrian gap analysis to improve walking routes.

Transportation professionals can leverage DDOT’s proven methods for efficient, sustainable, and multimodal urban planning. Dive into this essential resource to lead modern transportation impact analysis.

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Discover how Montgomery County, Maryland, has revolutionized suburban transportation planning with its Local Area Transportation Review (LATR) guidelines. This case study outlines how the county integrates multimodal network improvements into development projects, creating a balanced approach for diverse land use contexts.

Key innovations include:

• Systematic Multimodal Improvements: Identifying deficiencies in pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks through well-defined adequacy tests.
• Proportionality Guide: Setting cost caps for required off-site improvements based on project location and development program.
• Vision Zero Statement: Comprehensive speed studies and crash reviews to enhance safety without imposing improvement responsibilities on developers.
• Online Data Submission: Streamlining the submission process for transportation data, maintaining an up-to-date, accessible database.

Montgomery County’s LATR guidelines offer a scalable model for suburban jurisdictions aiming to incorporate multimodal analyses into their transportation impact assessments. By tailoring requirements based on urban, suburban, or rural contexts, the county ensures equitable and effective mitigation measures.

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Discover how Austin’s Transportation Department revolutionized urban planning with its Street Impact Fee (SIF) program, detailed in this case study. Before 2016, Austin faced fragmented impact analyses and underfunded improvements. This study explores the introduction of administrative TIA guidelines and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) for a more equitable and multimodal-focused approach.

Key innovations include:

• Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Promoting sustainable travel in all development applications.
• Street Impact Fee (SIF) Program: Charging new developments to fund necessary transportation infrastructure, ensuring equitable cost distribution and clearer expectations for developers.
• Roadway Capacity Plan (RCP): Prioritizing projects based on safety and mobility metrics, ensuring funds are used effectively.
• New Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM): Increasing predictability and focusing on multimodal improvements.

For transportation professionals, this case study offers insights into sustainable urban development, showcasing Austin’s commitment to reducing auto-dependence and enhancing multimodal infrastructure.

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Unlock the potential of pedestrian safety with the latest "Pedestrian Push Button Plaques and Signs" Technical Brief by ITE. Updated with the 11th edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), this essential resource incorporates the latest federal guidelines for pedestrian facilities.

This guide provides detailed insights into the evolution and best practices for pedestrian push button plaques and signs. It's an invaluable tool for municipal planners, traffic engineers, and urban developers, offering knowledge on enhancing pedestrian signal indications, accommodating ADA requirements, and ensuring uniformity and safety at intersections.

Key features include:

• An overview of the evolution of pedestrian signs to meet ADA standards.
• Analysis of commonly used signs and plaques, with feedback from 119 industry professionals.
• Findings on user interaction and the effectiveness of signage options.
• Recommendations for improving design and implementation.
• Global perspectives on pedestrian signage practices.

Don't miss out on this crucial update combining research, expert feedback, and actionable recommendations. 

Free for ITE members; $25 for non-members.

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Discover the transformative power of Big Data in transportation with the latest ITE Technical Brief, Big Data Use Cases in Transportation. Edited and reviewed by ITE experts, this comprehensive guide delves into the practical applications of Big Data across five crucial categories: Before and After Studies, Environmental Response Adaptation, Modeling, Multimodal Planning and Engineering, and Research and Innovation. Each category is enriched with detailed examples that not only demonstrate current use cases but also showcase the untapped potential of vast data sets to enhance and refine our transportation systems. Whether you're a professional in the field or an enthusiast for innovative solutions, this brief is your gateway to understanding and leveraging Big Data for future advancements in transportation networks. Secure your copy today and be part of the future of transportation planning and engineering!

Free for ITE members; $25 for non-members.

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During ITE’s 2024 Virtual Spring Conference, the TSMO Council facilitated a compelling live session that thoroughly explored the core principles of Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) with TSMO champions from each of ITE’s Districts. Significantly enriched by their unique perspectives, the roundtable illuminated the diverse challenges and shared insights, highlighting the state of TSMO worldwide. ITE and NOCoE are releasing this online product to underscore the current landscape of TSMO, foster ongoing collaborative dialogue, and provide practitioners worldwide with access to a variety of perspectives.

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Transit agencies experienced substantial declines in ridership attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant revenue losses for each unoccupied seat during peak rush hours. The second quarter of 2020 witnessed a staggering reduction of more than 85 percent in transit ridership compared to the preceding year. In response, transit agencies have developed and implemented various strategies to incentivize more ridership on their systems. A literature review was conducted to explore the spectrum of initiatives implemented by these agencies and assess their efficacy. Among the observed methodologies, the reduction of fares emerged as a common strategy, while others explored collaborative ventures with businesses to offer incentives such as complimentary tickets to museums upon transit usage. The pandemic-induced decline in ridership afforded transit agencies an opportunity to reassess their existing service schedules and pivot towards accommodating shifting ridership patterns, transitioning away from the traditional 9-to-5 office commute paradigm towards extended service hours during evenings and weekends.

Free for ITE members; $25 for non-members.

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As data collection technology continuously evolves, industry professionals must develop the skills and knowledge needed to make sense of the vast amounts of data available. This requires a concerted effort to train and attract talented people to the transportation field and to provide current practitioners with the training and education they need to keep pace with the industry. The Quick Bite on "Emerging Workforce Trends for Transportation Data Professionals" (March 2023) provided a snapshot of workforce trends for transportation data professionals. This Quick Bite, prepared by the ITE Data Workforce Committee, offers a more in-depth analysis of the current state of the workforce and identifies strategies to attract new talent while outlining training initiatives to meet future needs.

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The global shift towards investing in cleaner transportation has become a prominent feature driven by the imperative to address environmental concerns and promote sustainability and reduce emissions throughout the world. A key aspect of this transition is the equitable development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Over the past several years, the United States has focused on developing EV Plans (National Electric Vehicle Implementation) and all 50 states submitted their plans as of August 1, 2022. Currently, many states are working on their implementation plans.

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**This resource has been updated based on the release of the 11th edition of the MUTCD.**

These practices can reduce track-related bicycle crashes and should be considered for potential implementation, if possible, during the design development process for railroad grade crossing locations.

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**This resource has been updated based on the release of the 11th edition of the MUTCD.**

Two-way separated bicycle lanes can be challenging to implement due to the many conflicting movements involved. A gated railroad grade crossing requires particularly high levels of care in handling crossing movements. Adding bicycle movements outside of the vehicle space can greatly increase the complexity.

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A growing threat to individual and community health is the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Created through heat-absorbing surfaces in developed areas, the UHI contributes to extreme heat conditions, which can be costly and deadly. Transportation contributes to the UHI through heat-absorbing street surface materials, excessive street widths, surface parking lots, and a lack of street trees and other vegetation. However, if transportation is a contributor to the problem, transportation can also be a contributor to solutions.

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This Quick Bite provides a brief overview of how roundabouts have grown in use in the U.S. and discusses some of the key aspects that roundabout developers should consider from the driver perspective.

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In an effort to reduce fatalities on Georgia sharp curves, GDOT has established a curve inventory on all state routes. Various data are associated to these curves that include road geometry, crash data, traffic volume, and ball bank indicator (BBI). This quick bite summarizes GDOT's recent study with Georgia Tech to 1) assess the relationship between BBI and crash data on curves and 2) propose a strategy to proactively assess the risk of lane departures using BBI. Conducting a proactive assessment for lane departures is a critical practice since lane departures are often limited in number but are often severe.  

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The ITE Bicycle Signals Resource Hub which is intended to serve as a reliable and informative resource for the planning, design, implementation, and operational guidance of bicycle signals including design practices was recently updated with the addition of a series of new case studies.  The case studies demonstrate ways in which public agencies have successfully implemented bicycle signals that meet their community’s desires to improve bicycle safety. 

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Quick-build projects have come into the spotlight for their success in transforming implementation timelines in transportation projects. Public transit has also come into the spotlight as we recognize the crucial role it plays in regional mobility, equity, and climate resilience. This new ITE Informational Report serves as a guide for City staff, transit agency staff and practitioners on the steps and partnerships necessary to integrate transit access, speed, and reliability improvements into quick-build projects.  Case studies from King County, WA; Los Angeles County, CA; Oakland, CA; Minneapolis, MN, and Washington, DC are included to demonstrate success stories and lessons learned.

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Explore the Equity in EV Charging Infrastructure Resource Portal—a hub dedicated to promoting equity in the realm of EV charging. Join the mission for a just transition to electric mobility by accessing and contributing diverse resources.

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Pedestrian plaques or signs at traffic signals have evolved from a simply informational purpose, to addressing pedestrian actuation, and more recently to educating the user regarding pedestrian signal indications. Changes to the design of signalized intersections to support the Americans with Disabilities Act and more common use of two accessible curb ramps per intersection corner, has further affected the need for and function of these signs. In the context of the Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) in advance of rulemaking for the upcoming 11th edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the final federal rule for the Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, this paper draws from a survey of practice to evaluate and better understand how practitioners utilize pedestrian push button signs and seek input on how greater uniformity might be possible.

Free for ITE members; $25 for non-members.

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Equity is not achieved via a single path; instead, it is achieved through dedicated commitment to process and re-evaluation throughout an entire project. This report showcases a compendium of case studies that meaningfully incorporated equity components in transportation projects using innovative strategies and methods. Examples of case studies include Mississauga Pedestrian Master Plan, New York City Streets Plan, San José’s Emerging Mobility Action Plan, Seattle Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Equity Analysis, and Regional Equity Strategy Initial Work Plan (Puget Sound Regional Council). This report aims to serve as a reference for notable avenues and strategies to advance equitable transportation at every level, from local projects to regional plans.

Free for ITE members; $25 for non-members.

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The ITE Parking Generation Manual, 6th Edition is an educational tool for transportation professionals, zoning boards and others who are interested in estimating parking demand of a proposed development.  The Parking Generation web app—ITEParkGen allows electronic access to the entire dataset that includes land use descriptions and data pots for all available combinations of land uses, time periods, independent variables and settings.

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Examples and case studies described in this report show that vehicle travel reduction programs can provide more compact and multimodal communities. To be successful, they must be well planned and responsive to specific conditions and needs. Most vehicle travel strategies only affect a portion of total vehicle travel, such as commute, local, or urban travel, so reducing total VMT requires integrated programs that affect all types of travel. 

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ITE and the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) collaboratively prepared the Traffic Signal Maintenance Handbook, 2nd Edition to reflect the current state-of-the-practice and to provide the user with a broad overview of key considerations for the maintenance element of a traffic signal program. Available in both pdf and print.

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