TM21: Speed Harmonization

Need Area Description

This service package determines speed recommendations based on traffic conditions and weather information and uses connected vehicle technologies to assist in harmonizing speeds to these recommendations. The speed recommendations can be regulatory (e.g. variable speed limits) or advisory. The purpose of speed harmonization is to change traffic speed on links that approach areas of traffic congestion, bottlenecks, incidents, special events, and other conditions that affect flow. Speed harmonization assists in maintaining flow, reducing unnecessary stops and starts, and maintaining consistent speeds. The service package utilizes connected vehicle V2I communication to detect the precipitating roadway or congestion conditions that might necessitate speed harmonization, to generate the appropriate response plans and speed recommendation strategies for upstream traffic, and to broadcast such recommendations to the affected vehicles. The speed recommendations can be provided in–vehicle for connected vehicles, or through roadside signage for non–connected vehicles.

Need Area Type

Mobility

Service Package

TM21: Speed Harmonization

Includes Needs

NumberNeed
01Traffic Operations need to be able to collect and process current and historical traffic and environmental data from multiple sources in order to determine speed recommendations based on traffic conditions and weather and environmental information.
02Traffic Operations need to be able to inform the Driver of the recommended speed to travel, allowing the driver to make adjustments to maximize traffic throughput and reduce crashes.
03Traffic Operations need to be able to inform the Driver of why the given speed is being recommended to increase their willingness to comply with the recommendations.
04Traffic Operations need to be able to analyze performance of transportation system in order to develop strategies to improve the performance of the system.
05Traffic Operations need to be able to disseminate recommended speed information to other centers.