Transcript Item 13 Briefing on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) Program Presentation to the Transportation Planning Board Buddy Ey MATOC Facilitator December 16, 2009

Item 13
Briefing on the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transportation Operations Coordination
(MATOC) Program
Presentation to the Transportation Planning Board
Buddy Ey
MATOC Facilitator
December 16, 2009
Progress Report on Program
Objectives
Objectives:
√ Provide quick and reliable exchange of transportation system information among
operating agencies
• Direct communications with TOC personnel for all regional incidents
√ Provide situational awareness for regional transportation operations
• Situational Awareness messages to stakeholders
• Situational Awareness messages to transit and commuter services
√ Provide reliable information that enables the public to make timely and effective
travel decisions
• Comprehensive use of regional Dynamic Message Signs (DMS)
• Media access to RITIS
√ Develop the tools and processes needed to facilitate regional coordinated
operating agencies response
• Regional SOPs being developed
• QA process for regional incidents
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Major Activities to Report
• MATOC has established its permanent location at the Capital
Wireless Information Net (CapWIN) offices in Greenbelt
• Second staff person has been hired to assist with and enhance
monitoring and notification activities
• Regional coordination and notification activities continue
• Efforts to enhance real-time public information utilizing the Regional
Integrated Transportation Information System (RITIS) will continue
• MATOC has tracked and made notifications on approximately 40
regional incidents since the September TPB meeting
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Example of MATOC Involvement in
Regional Coordination: VA Incident
• MATOC focus area: interagency notifications and cooperative
action during incidents
• Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7AM, IL 95/495 at Telegraph Rd in Fairfax
County
• Multi vehicle accident involving tractor trailer, all lanes blocked
• VDOT made immediate notifications
– WAWAS
– VDOT Safety Service Patrol (SSP)
– MD SHA (CHART)
» 10 message signs posted
» Emergency Response Technician (ERT) - 1st on scene
• MD ERT, VDOT SSP and VSP cleared all vehicles within 30 minutes
• Quick “regional” response greatly minimized congestion and the potential for
“ripple effect” incidents
• MATOC notified DDOT, WMATA, WWB, MD and VA transit/commuter
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Example of MATOC Involvement in
Regional Coordination: MD Incident
• MATOC focus area: ongoing interagency preparatory
discussions to improve readiness for incidents
• Tuesday, October 27 at 2:30 PM, IL 495 between I-270 Spur and
Old Georgetown Rd in Montgomery County
• Accident involving jack knifed tractor trailer, All lanes initially blocked
• CHART made immediate notifications
– CHART Emergency Response Technician (ERT)
– MATOC (who agreed to notify VDOT)
» Message signs posted
IL I-495 before GW Parkway & IL I-495 in Tyson’s(both moved for regional efficiency),
EB and WB I-66 prior to I-495, SB and NB I-95 at the Springfield interchange
» VA 511 messages
• CHART and other responders remedied situation quickly
• Accurate and timely information to travelers, especially those originating in
Virginia
• MATOC notified DDOT, WMATA, WWB, MD and VA transit/commuter
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Funding
• Original federal grant provides funding through June 30, 2010
• An estimated $1.2 million per year is needed to sustain the
program thereafter
• MATOC Steering Committee is actively working to identify
stable sources of funding to continue MATOC after the federal
earmark ends
– Anticipating strong support in new federal authorization for these
types of programs, but also looking at potential near-term funding
sources
– UPWP funding to support some MATOC expenses that are eligible
as planning activities (subject to TPB’s UPWP action earlier today)
• Sustained funding beyond June 30, 2010 will ensure that
successful MATOC functions are maintained and enhanced
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