For years WSDOT has worked to manage congestion with tools, such as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, metered on-ramps, variable-direction express lanes and traffic cameras. Now the state is taking the challenge to a new level. By studying the most cutting-edge and successful traffic management advances in the world, WSDOT is developing smarter highway systems.
Capacity Improvements: More than $1.5 billion of design and construction work has been completed, and projects totaling an unprecedented $6.5 billion will be completed in the next decade.
HOV: 300 miles of HOV lanes in the central Puget Sound region make the freeways more efficient.
Tolling: Electronic tolling on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge and variable tolling on the SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project manage traffic levels and improve flow.
Incident Response Program: 55 incident response vehicles on the freeways to assist drivers and help keep traffic flowing.
Traffic Management Centers: Seven Traffic Management Centers throughout the state monitor and manage traffic 24/7.
Real-Time Traffic Information: Hundreds of traffic cameras and sensors provide real-time information about congestion, alerts and travel times, which reaches drivers through the media, 511 Travel Info and the WSDOT Web site.
Variable Message Signs: 169 variable message signs statewide, including 80 in the central Puget Sound area keep drivers informed about traffic conditions.
Ramp Meters: A proven means of smoothing traffic flow and increasing throughput, ramp meters also reduce collisions statewide by at least 30 percent.
Park and Ride Lots: 294 park-and-ride lots statewide provide more than 35,000 parking stalls for transit users.
Commute Trip Reduction: More than 1,100 worksites participate in the CTR program.
Vanpools: Nearly 4,000 vanpools operate in the Puget Sound area, with more than 1,650 vans statewide.
Urban Partnership: $138 million in federal Urban Partnership Agreement grants will help reduce congestion in the SR 520 corridor.
Freight Mobility: Efficient freight movement helps ease its impact on congestion.
Measuring Congestion: An annual report on congestion measurements is presented in the Gray Notebook. | |
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