Operations Planning and Implementation Projects

Athey Creek provided technical support during development of the first edition Transportation Operations Manual as part of a National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) research effort. Athey Creek, as a subconsultant, performed research and wrote chapters of the manual focused on advanced transportation technologies and industry trends. These chapters provide the reader with examples of technology advancements and industry trends that are likely to impact transportation agency operations over time. Topics covered in these chapters include advanced communications, cybersecurity, big data and analytics, artificial intelligence and advanced computing, connected vehicles, automated vehicles, next generation traffic management centers, mobility as a service, mobility on demand and smart cities.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) developed a suite of plans to guide implementation of TSMO goals and strategies in Minnesota. As a subconsultant, Athey Creek provided technical support during the development of MnDOT’s TSMO Strategic Plan, Implementation Plan, and Business Plan. Athey Creek assisted in designing and delivering a strategic planning workshop to define goals and strategies for TSMO in Minnesota and supported creation of the Strategic Plan. During implementation planning, Athey Creek gathered input on potential strategies and led the Implementation Plan which prioritizes TSMO strategies to improve reliability, mobility, and efficiency; improve safety; and responsibly manage transportation operations assets. Athey Creek supported a workshop with MnDOT leaders to define business planning priorities and provided a lead role in developing content for the TSMO Business Plan.

Athey Creek leads coordination and provides technical support for the North/West Passage (NWP) Operations Task Force which includes membership from seven member states. The purpose of the NWP Operations Task Force is to establish and maintain relationships among members, share practices and discuss topics of interest. Athey Creek works with the members to identify operations-oriented topics for the monthly webinars. This includes researching topics as well as identifying and coordinating presentations. Athey Creek then coordinates and facilitates monthly webinars throughout each year.

This project assisted the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Road Weather Management Program (RWMP) in a self-assessment to evaluate its efforts in supporting state and local agencies to implement mitigation strategies and reduce the impact of road weather conditions. In a subconsultant role, Athey Creek assisted FHWA with updating existing road weather management performance measures that reflect new needs and directions within the program and within the broader road weather management community. Athey Creek reviewed the current FHWA RWMP performance measures, documented potential improvements, and contributed to a plan for the FHWA RWMP to improve performance measures for road weather management. Athey Creek also supported the RWMP evaluation by using the updated performance measures and stakeholder input to make RWMP recommendations for the coming years.

In a subconsultant role, Athey Creek Consultants is providing technical assistance to support national work zone safety initiatives. Athey Creek organized three virtual regional workshops that engaged work zone safety stakeholders from federal, state, and local agencies along with industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations in providing input to a national a national work zone safety strategic plan (WZSSP). Athey Creek coordinated the team’s planning efforts and facilitated small group sessions during the workshops. Athey Creek also led planning efforts and provided technical support for a Connected Work Zones Peer Exchange and Demonstration Site Visit event that took place at Texas A&M University in Bryan, TX. The peer exchange hosted work zone management professionals from state transportation agencies, the Federal Highway Administration, and Texas A&M University to share relevant practices and discuss future opportunities and challenges.