Project Summary
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has been an infrastructure-building agency since its inception, but the agency is now transitioning to managing transportation systems and building partnerships to improve transportation performance. This includes focusing on a system at the corridor level which requires improved state, regional, local, and interagency planning and support, as well as connecting and managing all modes of transport (e.g., freeway, arterials, transit, parking, bicycle/pedestrian networks, and traveler information). As part of the Connected Corridors I-210 Pilot in the San Gabriel Valley (northeast of Los Angeles), the Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH) program at UC Berkeley has been assisting with the institutional changes, including people and policies, needed to ensure that Caltrans has success with the transition. Key research questions that will be explored, include: How does Caltrans use existing and new staff to manage corridors? What new job titles and roles/responsibilities are needed? How can the changes being made in Caltrans District 7 translate to other Caltrans districts, and other agencies, that are planning corridor management projects? What are the benchmarks for success? How can corridor management integrate with Transportation System Management and Operations (TSM&O) principles, which include key activities in safety, performance, reliability, and environmental sustainability? What institutional changes need to be implemented so that the transportation assets are more integrated; the systems can be monitored in real time and even be proactive; and coordinated with planning, operations, and maintenance?
