Decision Support Systems (DSS) for ICM

Summary

Emma and Wolfgang lead a regional coalition to discuss integrated corridor management (ICM) and decision support systems (DSS) for traffic congestion. They explore DSS applications in various sectors, its real-time monitoring and modeling capabilities in ICM, and the importance of establishing business rules. The group considers involving stakeholders like parking management and discusses the Federal Highway Administration's advice on DSS development, including testing business rules and using multimodal performance measures. They also discuss the need for a real-time ICM coordinator and forming a Tiger team to focus on DSS planning.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Emma and Wolfgang have established a regional ICM Stakeholder Coalition group that meets monthly to discuss integrated management for congested corridors.
• 💡 The group discusses the concept of Decision Support Systems (DSS) and their applications in various fields, including military, medical, and logistics.
• 🛣️ In the ICM context, a DSS monitors traffic conditions, detects incidents, and models alternative actions to alleviate congestion.
• 🤖 DSS solutions are grounded in business rules agreed upon by agencies, ensuring they are practical and actionable.
• 👥 The DSS considers a full range of responses and recommends the best strategies based on predefined business rules.
• 🚦 An example is given where the DSS would recommend coordinated traveler information and activating hard shoulder running in response to a major incident.
• 📈 The DSS uses transportation models to predict the impacts of various alternatives and continuously evaluates response plans in real time.
• 🔍 The first step in implementing DSS is identifying all ICM partners, including those not regularly involved in traffic operations.
• 📚 The Federal Highway Administration provides advice on incremental, long-term DSS development, testing business rules, and considering associated costs.
• 🌐 Effective DSS requires consistent traffic model feeds aligned with regional modeling efforts and possibly enhanced traffic modeling capabilities.
• 📊 Multimodal performance measures should be used to evaluate DSS effectiveness from both predictive and retrospective viewpoints.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the ICM Stakeholder Coalition group?

The purpose of the ICM Stakeholder Coalition group is to work towards more integrated and effective management for a critical congested corridor.

What is a Decision Support System (DSS)?

A Decision Support System (DSS) is an information system that supports decision-making activities by monitoring traffic conditions, modeling scenarios, and recommending alternative actions in response to incidents or congestion.

How does a DSS function in the context of Integrated Corridor Management (ICM)?

In the context of ICM, a DSS monitors traffic conditions, detects incidents or congestion, models alternative actions, and recommends solutions based on agreed-upon business rules.

What are business rules in the context of DSS for ICM?

Business rules in the context of DSS for ICM are agreements between agencies or organizations on roles, responsibilities, and operational practices under certain corridor conditions or situations. They define the context and constraints for DSS implementation.

Why is it important to establish DSS business rules?

Establishing DSS business rules is important because they guide the DSS in formulating solutions that are feasible and agreeable to all involved agencies, ensuring that the recommended strategies can be implemented in real-time.

How does the DSS help in managing incidents in the corridor?

The DSS helps manage incidents by modeling and recommending a coordinated multichannel traveler information plan and activating hard shoulder running, among other strategies, to alleviate congestion.

What is the role of a real-time ICM coordinator?

A real-time ICM coordinator is responsible for approving decisions made by the DSS and ensuring that the recommended response plans are implemented by the involved agency users in real-time.

What steps should be taken to get started on DSS implementation?

To get started on DSS implementation, agencies should consider incremental, long-term DSS development, test business rules under various conditions, consider associated costs and resources, ensure traffic model feeds are consistent with regional modeling efforts, and incorporate stakeholder-developed business rules.

Why is it beneficial to use multimodal performance measures to drive response plans?

Using multimodal performance measures to drive response plans is beneficial as it provides a comprehensive way to evaluate the effectiveness of the DSS from both predictive and retrospective viewpoints.

How does the Big River Transportation Management Center's DSS handle incidents?

The Big River Transportation Management Center's DSS constantly mines real-time data from detectors, monitoring speeds and weather conditions. When triggered, it models alternative solutions and recommends the best outcome solution to an ICM coordinator for real-time decision-making.

What is the significance of forming a Tiger team to tackle business rules and DSS planning?

Forming a Tiger team to tackle business rules and DSS planning is significant as it ensures a focused effort on developing and implementing effective business rules and DSS strategies, leading to better corridor management.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Establishing an ICM Coalition and Discussing DSS

Emma and Wolfgang have formed a regional ICM Stakeholder Coalition group that meets monthly to improve the management of a congested corridor. They discuss the concept of a Decision Support System (DSS), which is an information system that aids in decision-making. The DSS in the ICM context monitors traffic conditions and suggests alternative actions when incidents occur. The group debates how DSS can provide feasible solutions within the constraints of agreed-upon business rules. They also discuss the importance of defining business rules that outline roles, responsibilities, and information sharing between agencies. The conversation highlights the need for a DSS that can provide real-time solutions based on these rules.

05:02

🚀 Implementing DSS for Real-Time Traffic Management

The group discusses the implementation of a DSS, referencing advice from the Federal Highway Administration. They emphasize the need for incremental development and testing of business rules under various conditions. The importance of consistent traffic model feeds and the potential need for enhanced traffic modeling capabilities are highlighted. The group also talks about the value of multimodal performance measures in evaluating DSS effectiveness. An example is given of the Big River Transportation Management Center's DSS, which mines real-time data to model alternative solutions during incidents. The conversation concludes with the idea of forming a Tiger team to focus on business rules and DSS planning, with Sylvia volunteering to lead it. The group is motivated to keep up with advancements in other cities to ensure their own traffic management system is state-of-the-art.

Keywords

💡Integrated Corridor Management (ICM)

Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) refers to a strategic approach to traffic management that involves coordinating various agencies and stakeholders to optimize traffic flow along a specific corridor. In the video, ICM is the central theme, with the group discussing how to implement it effectively. The script mentions the establishment of a regional ICM Stakeholder Coalition group, which meets to work towards integrated and effective management of a congested corridor.

💡Decision Support System (DSS)

A Decision Support System (DSS) is an information system that aids in making decisions by providing models, analysis, and data. In the context of the video, DSS is used to monitor traffic conditions and recommend alternative actions in response to incidents or congestion. The script discusses how DSS can model various scenarios and provide solutions based on agreed-upon business rules, which are critical to the ICM vision.

💡Business Rules

Business rules are the agreed-upon guidelines that define how organizations or agencies operate under certain conditions. In the video, business rules are emphasized as essential for DSS implementation, as they establish the context and constraints for how agencies communicate, coordinate, and share information. The script provides an example of how business rules can dictate strategies for handling incidents in the Komodo Tunnel.

💡Real-Time Data

Real-time data refers to information that is captured and processed as it occurs, without delay. In the video, the importance of real-time data for the DSS is highlighted, as it allows the system to monitor current traffic conditions and respond promptly to incidents. The script mentions that the DSS at the Big River Transportation Management Center mines real-time data from detectors to model alternative solutions.

💡Traffic Model

A traffic model is a representation of traffic flow and patterns used to predict the impact of various traffic management strategies. In the video, the script discusses the need for a transportation model to predict the impacts of different alternatives recommended by the DSS. Traffic models are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of DSS strategies and for planning purposes.

💡Congestion

Congestion refers to a situation where traffic flow is impeded due to an excessive number of vehicles in a confined space. The video's theme revolves around managing congestion through ICM. The script mentions that the DSS monitors for data patterns that indicate congestion and recommends actions to alleviate it.

💡Stakeholder Coalition

A stakeholder coalition is a group formed by individuals or organizations that have an interest or stake in a particular issue. In the video, Emma and Wolfgang have established a regional ICM Stakeholder Coalition group to work towards integrated management of a congested corridor. This group is essential for collaborative decision-making and implementing ICM strategies.

💡Multimodal Performance Measures

Multimodal performance measures are metrics used to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of various modes of transportation. In the video, the script suggests using multimodal performance measures to drive response plans and decision-making, which helps in evaluating the DSS's effectiveness from both predictive and retrospective viewpoints.

💡Incident Response

Incident response refers to the actions taken to manage and mitigate the impact of an unplanned event that disrupts traffic flow. In the video, the script discusses how the DSS can be used for incident response by modeling alternative solutions and recommending the best course of action. The example of the Big River DSS highlights its application in incident management.

💡Signal Timings

Signal timings refer to the intervals at which traffic signals change to control the flow of traffic. In the video, the script mentions the importance of adjusting signal timings near the Victory Island Bridge as part of the DSS's recommended response to an incident. Proper signal timings are crucial for managing traffic flow and reducing congestion.

💡Hard Shoulder Running

Hard shoulder running is a traffic management strategy where the hard shoulder (emergency lane) of a highway is temporarily opened for use by regular traffic to alleviate congestion. In the video, the script mentions activating hard shoulder running as one of the DSS's recommendations in response to a major incident in the Komodo Tunnel.

Highlights

Establishment of a regional ICM Stakeholder Coalition group by Emma and Wolfgang.

Monthly meetings aimed at integrated and effective management of congested corridors.

Introduction of Decision Support System (DSS) in the context of ICM.

Examples of DSS in military, medical, and logistics industries.

DSS defined as an information system supporting decision-making activities.

DSS in ICM context monitors traffic and recommends alternative actions during incidents.

Solution strategies are restricted to those agreed upon by agencies for real-time implementation.

DSS uses business rules to formulate solutions.

Example of DSS response to a major incident in the Komodo Tunnel.

The importance of transportation models in predicting the impacts of alternative actions.

The role of business rules in defining DSS context and constraints.

Business rules establish communication and coordination among agencies.

DSS measures corridor performance against desired targets and evaluates response plans.

Real-time continuous operation of the DSS.

First step in DSS implementation is identifying ICM partners.

Inclusion of partners not regularly involved in traffic operations.

Discussion on the representation of parking management in the ICM team.

Importance of establishing business rules for effective DSS operation.

Recommendation for incremental, long-term DSS development by the Federal Highway Administration.

Consideration of costs and resources needed for DSS development.

Consistency of traffic model feeds with regional modeling efforts for DSS effectiveness.

Potential need for enhanced traffic modeling capabilities for an effective DSS.

Incorporating stakeholder-developed business rules to enhance DSS strategies.

Use of multimodal performance measures to evaluate DSS effectiveness.

Example of a DSS in action at the Big River Transportation Management Center.

Real-time data mining by the Big River DSS for incident response.

The role of an ICM coordinator in approving DSS decisions and implementing response plans.

Formation of a Tiger team to tackle business rules and DSS planning.

Motivation for implementing an advanced DSS to compete with other cities.

Transcripts

These

Our two integrated corridor management or ICM champions

Emma and Wolfgang have established a regional ICM Stakeholder Coalition group.

This group meets monthly, working towards their shared goal of more integrated

and effective management for a critical congested corridor.

Let's check in with the group as their discussion

turns to a complex topic critical to their ICM vision.

Last time we met,

I briefly touched on the concept of the decision support system or DSS.

Several of you asked for a deeper dive on this topic.

Ah, yes.

When I was in the military model driven decision support systems

helped us model various scenarios related to moving and positioning supplies.

Aren't data driven decision support systems used to speed up medical diagnoses? I'm

also familiar with tools in the logistics industry to optimize delivery routes.

Are these examples of DSS? Correct?

In general, a DSS is any information system that supports decision making activities.

OK, but how does it work in the ICM context?

The DSS monitors traffic conditions in the corridor

looking for data patterns out of the ordinary.

When an incident or other congestion causing event is detected

the DSS models and recommends alternative actions to be taken in response.

How do we know these solutions aren't some crazy, robot fever dream?

Beam me up, Scotty.

We would restrict solutions to strategies that we all agree

could be implemented by our agencies in real time.

The DSS uses these business rules when formulating solutions.

For example, in the case of a major incident in the Komodo Tunnel,

the DSS may model and recommend both a coordinated multichannel traveler

information plan, and activating hard shoulder running on the approach

to the Victory Island Bridge.

We would use a transportation model of some sort to predict the impacts

of various alternatives.

Hard shoulder running won't

be of any help there unless we also change our signal timings near the bridge.

Great point, Diego.

The DSS will consider a full range of responses,

and zero in on the ones that combine strategies best.

I see, the robots offer what they think are

good strategies, but we humans still get to make the final call.

Set phasers to stun.

It's clear Hua has watched way too much science fiction.

But seriously, it sounds critical

that we establish our DSS business rules.

Absolutely.

The business rules are the agreements between agencies or organizations

on roles and responsibilities and operational practices,

given certain corridor conditions or situations. Business rules

define the context and constraints for DSS implementation.

Business rules establish the ways in which agencies

communicate, coordinate, and share information.

OK, I think I understand.

Imagine a chess board.

The pieces are all of us, the managers,

operators, agencies with their own capabilities.

The game rules are the business rules by which we all agree to play or operate.

That's right.

Basically, the DSS receives traffic data, measures the corridor performance,

and checks whether it is meeting desired performance targets.

If not, then it evaluates response plans and provides a recommended plan

to all of us, based on the previously agreed upon business rule strategies.

And it will do all of this continuously in real time.

After we identify the target corridor and its boundaries,

the first step is identifying the ICM partners,

like those of us in the room today, and any others we are missing.

These include partners we don't work with on a regular basis, in traffic operations,

like parking, on demand services

and emergency service providers.

Who can represent parking management in our team right now?

Well, I guess I could because the city sets the parking policy downtown.

But I'm in operations, so I don't really know

the details of what Cassandra and her team are doing over in the parking office.

Good example! Is Cassandra

someone we should be inviting to our team to develop business rules?

I think we should.

Drivers have to park somewhere at the end of their trips.

Plus, Cassandra and I

are both on the science fiction film board for the City Center Cinema.

I see her all the time.

Let me ask her. Hua,

your obsession with science fiction is finally paying off?

We come in peace,

Cassandra, for ICM.

Great work, everyone.

To get started on DSS,

The Federal Highway Administration has published some good advice for us.

Agencies should consider incremental, long term DSS development,

testing some of the agreed upon business rules under various conditions

to see how they will work in practice prior to programing them into the DSS.

Consider the

associated costs and resources needed, as DSS often requires

recalibrating a traffic model or other parameters.

Traffic model feeds should be consistent

with the regional modeling and simulation efforts tool for an effective DSS.

If possible, use the same tool.

An effective DSS may require the use of enhanced traffic modeling

capabilities, which may be a long term resource for the area.

Incorporating stakeholder developed business rules will enhance the backers

acceptance, reduce uncertainties, and boost DSS strategies effectiveness.

Using multimodal performance measures to drive response plans

decision making, which provides a valuable way to evaluate DSS

effectiveness, from both the predictive and a retrospective viewpoint.

That's all good advice, but can we walk through

an example of a DSS in action? Today when there is a major incident,

The mayor's office calls a meeting to plan a response strategy,

but it would be great if the DSS could make these decisions in real time.

I have some materials

from a recent visit to the Big River Transportation Management Center.

The TMC has implemented a DSS there specifically for incident response.

Big River has a DSS?

I had no idea. How does it work?

The Big River DSS constantly mines real time data

from detectors, monitoring speeds and weather conditions.

When triggered, the DSS will model

alternative solutions as compared to the do nothing alternative.

Right.

Sometimes the best thing to do is stick with your current plan.

An overreaction can make things worse.

If the DSS predicts that alternative solutions are moderately better

than the do nothing alternative,

an ICM coordinator would recommend the best outcome solution.

Well, one of our first actions should be to find

someone to be a real time ICM coordinator.

That's not even a job we have in our TMC.

True.

Once the ICM coordinator approves the decision,

then the DSS pushes candidate response plan information to the involved

agency users for plan implementation in real time.

Interesting.

Can we form a Tiger team specifically to tackle business rules and DSS planning?

I'll volunteer to organize and lead it.

Absolutely, Sylvia.

Perfect.

Well, I can't let my brother in law in Big River find out that they have

something more advanced than what we have here in Alligator City.

I'll never hear the end of it at our family reunion.

Sylvia,

now we know what really motivates you.

You just heard Emma, Wolfgang and the Tiger Teams

discussing using a decision support system to implement ICM.

See you in segment four, where we will discuss

successful incremental deployment of ICM over time.