The objective of this research project is the evaluation of the Construction Impact Analysis (CIA) tool designed and developed by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

In preparation for this proposal, the research team has already conducted a preliminary review of the CIA tool. This included the review of the available material about the CIA tool as well as two interviews including an on-line demonstration of the tool by WSDOT in June 2013.

The research approach is comprised of four main tasks: The first task is to conduct interviews with the NYSDOT and NYCDOT experts who are involved in work zone decision making process and identify various types of projects put forth by NYCDOT that require short term or long term work zones, and the potential constraints and identify the priority list of emergency events that will require modification of work zones sites, which would permit prioritized traffic movement during these emergencies. The second task will use the findings of Task 2 and develop the functional requirements of the customized CIA tool, including a shared database of construction and special events data from major operating agencies, the ability to have diverse user permissions settings that will allow its use by a broader range of staff within the agency and manage short-term projects and events as well as coordinating long-term constructions and improve traffic management and communication during non-recurrent events such as incidents and emergencies. The third task will be the review of the CIA tool through interviews with representatives from WSDOT, in collaboration with University of Washington Transportation Research Center (TRAC). The fourth task is to develop detailed recommendations on integrating the use of a customized CIA tool in NYCDOT protocol for coordinating projects and managing traffic during recurrent and non-recurrent conditions in the NYC metropolitan region.

The main anticipated results of the research projects are:

1. The review of the CIA and WISEs tool and the current work zone coordination and emergency management practices by NYSDOT, NYCDOT, PANYNJ, MTA, NYMTC NJDOT, MTA, and TRANSCOM (TRANSCOM’s draft “Open Reach Extension Construction Conflict Decision Support” tool proposed for possible development and incorporation into their Open Reach system will also be reviewed).

2. Development of Functional Requirements of the CIA tool customized for NYCDOT.

3. Development of the recommendations on integrating the use of a customized CIA and / or WISE tools in NYCDOT protocol for coordinating projects and managing traffic during recurrent and non-recurrent conditions in the NYC metropolitan region.