Wisconsin's traffic operations programs have emerged over the past 40 years in conjunction with national initiatives, and through the success of multi-state regional and metropolitan programs. Currently, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WISDOT) traffic operations function encompasses the areas traffic design and device maintenance, traffic safety engineering, access management, and traffic management and incident management. The pace of development of WISDOT's traffic operations function has been constrained by both programmatic and institutional challenges. The function is challenged programmatically by the lack of a unifying and multi-faceted strategic and business plan. Financial programming and other organizational mechanisms tend to emphasize conventional highway infrastructure development, and are generally much less mature for traffic operations functions. A well-developed plan will establish a solid foundation for the continued and accelerated development of the traffic operations program. The Wisconsin State Traffic Operations Plan will integrate strategic planning and operations and response planning techniques to establish a sustainable business approach for the traffic operations function and related programs.
Abstract