Utah Department of Transportation Traffic Operation Center Operator Training

This paper is a summary of work performed by the Utah Traffic Lab (UTL) to develop training programs for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Traffic Operations Center (TOC) operators at both the basic and advanced levels. The basic training is designed to train operators in the basic knowledge, skills, and ability to work as traffic operators. The training is performed at the UTL and the TOC in a concise two-week training course instead of the traditional on-the-job training method. In order to conduct the training, the UTL began with the UDOT TOC mission statement and applied a military approach to develop individual training tasks required of operators. Although training operators off site is not a new technique, the UTL used the unique approach of focusing training on the regional transportation network and branching off into other relevant topics when appropriate. The UTL found that understanding the local and regional transportation network was the single most important factor in efficient incident management. The advanced training program is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and ability of traffic operators to identify and solve advanced traffic management and operation problems encountered at the TOC. It supports incident management instruction at the highest level and utilizes the advantages of traffic operators who work 24/7 and continually monitor the traffic network through closed circuit television. The report explains who is qualified to receive the advanced training program. The specific curriculum containing courses on advanced traffic operation techniques, geometric design, and traffic flow is presented. The method to measure performance through assessment and evaluation for the advanced training program is also presented. The advanced training program is an effective method to train operators to identify and solve advanced transportation management and operation problems. The authors present a critical overview of their training methods.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=678
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Utah, Salt Lake City

  Utah Traffic Laboratory, 122 S Central Campus Drive
  Salt Lake City, UT  United States  84112

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  Office of University Programs, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Martin, Peter T
  • Gilbert, Jeremy
  • Shepherd, Benjamin
• Publication Date: 2010-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 128p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Curricula; Education and training; Education and training methods; Highway operations; Incident management; Operators (Persons); Traffic control centers; Traffic surveillance
• Identifier Terms: Utah Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01325001
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 10-229A
• Files: UTC, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 14 2011 10:20AM