Transportation Learning Network: New Approach to Traffic Operation Center Operator Training

This report is a summary of work performed by the Utah Traffic Lab (UTL) to develop training programs for Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Traffic Operations Center (TOC) operators. The report includes training materials that are already in service and those additionally developed, at both basic and advanced levels. The entire training material is now a part of Transportation Learning Network — a new learning tool for the TOC operators presented in the final part of this report. The basic training is designed to train operators in the basic knowledge, skills, and ability to work as traffic operators. It was performed at the UTL and the TOC in a concise two-week training course. A military approach is applied to develop individual training tasks for the operators. The UTL uses 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. Transportation Learning Network (TLN) is a new learning tool that goes beyond the existing training programs by adding some new topics to both basic and advanced training levels. The report explains how to use TLN and presents the benefits of online accessible training material. This report also provides methods of training program testing and evaluation and offers a critical overview of all training methods developed by the UTL to date.

  • Record URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation, University Transportation Center program.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Utah, Salt Lake City

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    122 South 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

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Martin, Peter T
    • Chaudhuri, Piyali
    • Tasic, Ivana
    • Zlatkovic, Milan
    • Pedersen, Tristan
  • Publication Date: 2011-9

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 50p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01364047
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 10-229C
  • Files: UTC, TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 29 2012 1:04PM