Congestion
SEMCOG develops and implements a Congestion Management Process (CMP) to improve mobility in the region by reducing congestion. Congestion is defined as the level at which roadway system performance is no longer acceptable due to traffic interference. The level of acceptable system performance may vary by the functional class of a road, its geographic location, and/or time of day. CMP information helps SEMCOG and its regional partners develop policies for managing congestion and plan projects that alleviate congestion. CMP includes three basic steps:
- identify congestion problems,
- evaluate and recommend mitigation strategies, and
- monitor the implemented strategies.
Currently, SEMCOG’s CMP uses real-time and estimated data to identify congestion in present and future years. The real-time data comes from:
- Michigan Intelligent Transportation System Center’s (MITSC) speed data on several freeway corridors,
- Traffic.com, and
- speed studies conducted by SEMCOG on several surface and freeway corridors.
The estimated speed and travel time data are generated from SEMCOG’s Travel Demand Forecasting Model (TDFM). Regional congestion solutions currently implemented in Southeast Michigan include:
- transportation demand management (TDM),
- transportation system management (TSM),
- public transportation (transit),
- access management, and
- capacity improvement.