The Mississippi Valley Traffic Operations Coalition (MVTOC), a working group of the Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition, is developing a regional decision-making process for traffic and commercial vehicle operations in the Mississippi Valley region.Recognizing the potential of a traffic and commercial vehicle operations community that shares information, manages infrastructure cooperatively, and deploys complimentary technology plans and programs, several organizations (Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition, Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory at UW-Madison, Midwest Regional University Transportation Center at UW-Madison, and Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee ITS Priority Corridor) came together to establish the MVTOC.
In the first quarter of 2006, a series of exploratory meetings were held with a collection of Mississippi Valley-based organizations to gauge interest in the formation of a Multistate Traffic Operations Program (MSTOP, see the AASHTO Traffic Operations Programs report for more information ).
At a Columbus, Ohio workshop held in late April 2006, the organizations developed a Mississippi Valley corridors-oriented vision, needs and a list of potential activities that support a variety of traffic operations, safety, and economic development priorities throughout the region.
Immediate actions undertaken by this Coalition could include the sharing and publishing of regional clearance laws, emergency routes, road closure guidelines, and traveler information resources for the benefit of Mississippi Valley interstate highway shippers and the traveling public.
Vision
Develop and implement a regional transportation operations system in the Mississippi Valley region with expected benefits of:
- Coordinating efforts to respond to and minimize nonrecurring congestion and improve network reliability
- Sustaining and encouraging economic competitiveness of the region
- Reducing crashes, personal injuries, and fatalities
- Supporting national emergency preparedness
Relevant Documents
- Executive Summary: A brief description of the Mississippi Valley Traffic Operations Coalition
- Concept Development Report: A report outlining potential activities of the Coalition (Note: This report was written prior to the inclusion of three key Mississippi Valley states [KY,KS,MO])
- Survey Results: Last updated 10-4-06
- Priority of Initiatives Survey: Closed.