TMCs are critical resources that offer agencies the potential to improve the safety and mobility of travel on the surface transportation system. TMCs have also been deployed or are being enhanced to assist agencies in fulfilling the ever-increasing transportation needs of travelers (e.g., travel times), service providers (e.g., transit, emergency services), other agencies, and the public (e.g., incidents). TMCs are comprised of a complex, integrated blend of hardware, software, operational strategies, processes, and people performing a range of functions and actions. TMCs typically consist of multiple subsystems, which may include functionality such as ramp metering, traffic signal control, dynamic message signs, data, software, and communication. The deployment, integration, operation, management, and maintenance required to ensure the operation of TMSs, TMCs, and subsystems is very complex as the supporting technologies continue to evolve. 

The objectives of the Traffic Management Centers (TMC) Pooled Fund Study (PFS) is to assemble regional, state, and local transportation management agencies and FHWA to: (1) identify key issues and challenges agencies are facing with their traffic management systems (TMSs) or centers (TMCs); (2) suggest approaches to addressing identified issues; (3) initiate and monitor projects intended to address identified issues; (4) develop technical resources and disseminate results; (5) provide leadership and coordinate with others on TMC interests; and (6) promote and facilitate sharing information on TMC issues nationally.

The TMC Pooled PFS involves a group of public agencies and organizations who voluntarily pool funds each year to address the key challenges and issues they are facing in support of improving performance, capabilities, and how they manage and operate their TMSs. TMC PFS members collaborate by using funds they contribute for the pursuit of projects they agree to pursue and develop technical resources and advance activities to address the key challenges and issues they are collectively facing. This project is being created to establish a new number (Phase II of TPF-5(319)) and allow for 5 additional years (April 17, 2022 to April 16, 2027) beyond the existing study (TPF-5(319)).  Agencies can join and add their commitments to the TMC PFS at any time during each year the TMC PFS, which is approved through April 16, 2027.

The Chair of the TMC Pooled Fund Study is Alex Wassman from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The Co-chairs are Josh Brown from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Ryan McNary from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 

The TMC PFS is a group of public agencies and organizations who voluntarily pool funds each year to address the key challenges and issues they are facing in support of improving the performance, capabilities, and how they manage and operate their TMSs. TMC PFS members collaborate by using funds they contribute for the pursuit of projects they agree to pursue and develop technical resources and advance activities to address the key challenges and issues they are collectively facing. FHWA provides the staff and resources (e.g., administrative, technical, project management) to facilitate all of the activities and develop the technical resources for each initiated project. 

TMC PFS members have identified the need to develop resources to assist with evaluating and benchmarking the capabilities, and desired levels of performance for the existing and the next generation of their TMS. The need for technical resources were also identified to assist with planning, designing, procuring, developing, implementing, testing, operating, and evaluating possible improvements to these systems. TMC PFS members have identified over 15 ideas for possible future projects to pursue within the following four technical areas identified where work needs to be pursued over the next five years: 1) assessing and reporting on TMS capabilities and performance; 2) planning, designing, and procuring TMSs; 3) managing and operating TMSs;  and 4) staffing, support resources, and capacity building. 

The desired level of contribution is $50,000 per year for each agency. The desired minimum commitment is $25,000. The level of commitment per agency may vary, taking into account the size and type of agency (e.g. state, county, city). State agencies may join online at the Transportation Pooled Fund Program web site. Other agencies may join and can obtain additional information from the FHWA program manager at jon.obenberger@dot.gov. Agencies can join and add their commitments to the TMC PFS at any time during each year the TMC PFS, which is approved through April 16, 2027.

The TMC PFS is chaired by John Bassett from the New York State DOT and co-chaired by Alex Wassman from the Missouri DOT.  FHWA is the lead agency for the TMC PFS and Jon Obenberger is the lead point of contact.  Information on the current and completed projects of the TMC PFS are available at: https://tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm.