95th Annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) Multimodal Pricing Implementation Joint Subcommittee January 12, 2016 Nick Wood, P.E., Texas A&M Transportation Institute See also: http://www.slideshare.net/TTITAMU/how-future-technologies-could-impact-the-silicon-valley-express-lanes?related=1

1. HOW FUTURE TECH CAN IMPACT
MANAGED LANE OPERATIONS
NICK WOOD, P.E.
TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE
MULTIMODAL PRICING IMPLEMENTATION
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE
JANUARY 12, 2016
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2. 2
SUMMARY
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) hosted a
workshop on October 9, 2015
• VTA, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Chuck Fuhs, and
Prospect Silicon Valley facilitated workshop
• Purpose: Examine how the Silicon Valley Express Lanes
could be impacted by emerging technologies
• 19-member panel observed 5 brief presentations on tech
• Breakout sessions provided feedback on how VTA could
better anticipate given three prompted questions
• Briefing paper currently being developed for executive-level staff
that summarizes impact of select technologies
• Can be used as framework for evaluating other future tech

3. 3
REGIONAL NETWORK

4. 4
PANEL MEMBERS
19 people representing the following entities:
McHenry Engineering
Nine other individuals observed from public agencies

5. 5
KEY QUESTIONS
1. How do we “future-proof” technologies that are
about to be implemented?
2. What metric(s) need to be assessed for evaluation
of future systems?
3. How can throwaway of existing technologies be
minimized?

6. 1. Five Short Tech Presentations
2. Three Breakout Groups (one for each question)
3. Large Group Discussion
6
WORKSHOP FORMAT

7. 7
TECH PRESENTATIONS
Short 5-minute presentations briefed panel members who
may not all have same familiarity
• Electronic Tolling
‒ ISO 18000-6c, satellite (GNSS), switchable transponders
• Communication Systems
‒ Wireless (4/5G, LiDAR), fiber optic capacity, data management
• Mass Transit & Other Users
‒ Private on-demand buses, transportation network companies
• Active Traffic Management
‒ Dynamic lane use control, variable speed limits
• Autonomous & Connected Vehicles
‒ Incremental vs. disruptive automation, users get more information
on travel speed, toll price, and HOV status

8. 8
KEY FINDINGS FROM PANEL
1. Start visioning to determine their beliefs, goals, objectives
2. Assess who is best suited to handle risk within a contract,
and allocate risk accordingly
3. Understand that technology can “leapfrog”
governments if they are insufficiently nimble or too slow to
develop
4. Collaborate with other agencies to avoid “doing the same
thing”
5. Follow the “Grandma Rule” to easily explain how a
process or technology works to one’s grandmother
6. Address equity concerns because technologies are not
always affordable or available
7. Realize the importance of pilot projects and
incrementalism

9. 9
OTHER THOUGHTS
• Big emphasis on keeping things simple for VTA
• VTA should make decisions that fit vision, operational consistency
• Customers becoming more impatient
• Faster capability of mobile/connected devices to provide user
feedback
• Shorter media cycle compared to past decades
• Users do not want to expend energy thinking
• Tech changes within next 5-10 years
• Automated vehicle market penetration to grow
• Integration of toll transponder within the vehicle
• For VTA, wireless will become more practical communication
medium to operate ELs compared to fiber optics
• Shorter tech cycle requires re-thinking contracts
• More emphasis on open standards, less on contract minutiae
• No contracts with single entities, provide data for many others to
develop products (e.g. GTFS for transit)

10. 10
BRIEFING PAPER
A briefing paper is currently being developed that will
synthesize and expand the findings from the panel
• Audience for executive-level staff
• Focus on broader issues, not just specific tech
• High-level characterization of:
‒ Policy-related impediments
‒ Organization capabilities
‒ One-time and recurring costs
‒ Potential trade-offs
• Suggested steps for further risk assessment and
decision-making

11. HOW FUTURE TECH CAN IMPACT
MANAGED LANE OPERATIONS
NICK WOOD, P.E.
NICKWOOD@TAMU.EDU
TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE
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