Regional Traffic Operations Center

Project Description

The Regional Traffic Operations Center (RTOC) is a state-of-the-art facility for traffic management in the Greater Rochester Region. This building houses the NYSDOT Advanced Transportation Management System, Monroe County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Traffic Signal Control Center and the New York State Police (NYSP) Zone 1 Headquarters providing communications and dispatch for law enforcement and emergency response. It also houses the NYSDOT and MCDOT traffic signal maintenance crews, MCDOT highway lighting specialists, and Greater Rochester International Airport personnel responsible for maintenance of airside facilities at the airport.

The 49,000 square foot building is structural steel frame construction that is separated into four sections by concrete masonry firewalls. The building exterior is split-face masonry and metal siding. The Greater Rochester International Airport (GRIA) portion of the facility falls within the airport's security perimeter. While many of the areas are shared, separate phone and security systems were installed to meet the needs of the NYS Police and the GRIA. Garage areas are also available for the GRIA, NYSDOT and MCDOT maintenance trucks

Programming and Construction Management

The facility's diverse group of users presented a special challenge on this project. Most of the users previously worked together as part of their daily mission, but were headquartered in separate buildings. Now they would be housed in the same facility although within separate areas. Extra care was necessary during the planning, programming and concept development work tasks to insure a satisfactory blending of the functional needs of the four tenants. Through careful programming and construction management, the RTOC building is able to include all of the required features and specific needs of the associated work processes of each user.

The Lu Engineers Team was able to establish trust or "partnering" relationship between the Owner, facility users and the Contractors. This process began during the concept phase to ensure that all stakeholders were contacted to identify their particular interests and to make known whatever limitations (i.e. security or space restraints) their facilities imposed on the design process. A decision phase followed during which the team members discussed each proposal, followed by an implementation phase during which the Lu Team confirmed the cost savings of each proposal through more detailed estimates. Our team developed an overall plan and continued to refine design details and modify design packages as needed. This process was very successful in identifying cost saving proposals while maintaining the project's functional objectives.

Working with the Construction Manager, we reviewed the designs for constructability, developed schedules for each design package, and combined individual schedules of each prime contractor into a master control schedule. Through frequent meetings, up-front identification of problems, and a clear understanding of the each member's role and responsibilities, the Lu Team was able to complete the project on schedule and within the allocated funds available.

Technical Aspects

The centerpiece of the facility is the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) which is shared by representatives from NYSDOT, MCDOT and NYSP. The TOC provides a means for the traffic management team to collect and analyze highway and traffic condition information and respond in real time. Over 380 traffic signals are monitored and controlled by the TOC. This computerized communication system uses fiber optic and coaxial cable technology to TOC to detect traffic incidents and congestion within the region and disseminate signal timing data to traffic signals, and messages to roadway signs.

Data collected from Road Weather Information Systems, weather radar, and video images from closed circuit television cameras are monitored at the TOC. The public receives traffic information through roadway Dynamic Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio broadcasts. The NYSP will have access to this information, providing them with improved abilities to respond and control freeway access during emergencies.

The TOC includes the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) display subsystem. The ATMS functions by visually transferring information from the system to the operators via workstation monitors and high resolution rear projection displays that can be viewed on a large screen display by operations personnel. The TOC also includes a situation conference room. The video projection display system in the conference room has the ability to show the same information being shown on the main screen in the TOC or other information, as required. This provides the response team the ability to focus on a single incident while the rest of the regional highway system is being continually monitored.

Schedule and Budget

The Client wanted an acceptable concept and construction bid documents as soon as feasible to meet grant obligations and to provide space for the users. In particular, GRIA wanted to vacate a rental facility and needed the new facility to house their equipment. The Lu Engineers Team produced a project schedule that incorporated all of development requirements to achieve the overall objectives.

A three-part construction effort was planned to better maintain schedule and project cost. Phase 1 involved environmental mitigation and demolition of the existing structures. Phase 2 construction included relocation of the existing East Airport Road and site improvements. Through partnering efforts, work on Phase 1 was accelerated to allow Phase 2 efforts to begin concurrently on the roadway portion of the site.

Phase 3 involved actual construction of the RTOC facility. Completion of the GRIA portion of the facility was completed by August 2001, in time for them to vacate their rental facility. The remainder of the RTOC was opened in the winter of 2002.

Total project cost was $10,800,000. Project funding included $2,900,000 from federal sources, $3,200,000 from the Monroe County Airport Authority and $4,700,000 from MCDOT. The project was achieved within the allocated funds. Construction changes amounted to less than five percent of the bid cost.

Project Challenges and Solutions

Location Constraints

The facility site provided advantages and disadvantages. The building is adjacent to the regional expressway system, which is advantageous to all tenants. The facility is also directly across from the Monroe County Public Safety /Emergency Communications Center, providing for better coordination during emergencies.

Site location disadvantages included FAA Part 77 constraints associated with aircraft operations, the location of East Airport Road, the size of the parcel, and the underground gas lines. The FAA constraints were resolved by clearly defining the geometric limitations and configuring the facility to limit the height in the constrained area. Realigning East Airport Road increased the size of the parcel and also provided a clear point of access to the airport for GRIA maintenance personnel. Resolution of the underground gas line problem included extensive investigations and coordination with utility owners and incorporation of protective measures into the construction process.

Environmental Issues

The RTOC was constructed on lands previously used as an asphalt plant, metal finishing facility, automobile transmission maintenance facility and an above ground fuel storage depot. Environmental investigations concluded a Phase II environmental assessment was required. Site remediation activities included an electronic magnetic survey to determine the location of buried features; soil-vapor surveys; NYSDEC coordination; and construction monitoring.

Security and Safety

Security was a major issue due to the proximity of RTOC to the airport. This was solved by providing a physical wall and fence with controlled access between the GRIA portion and the remainder of the facility. A major safety concern had to do with flow of vehicular traffic on East Airport Road and impact of future traffic. The solution involved a realignment of East Airport Road with up-dated geometric standards and incorporation of a special truck ramp to accommodate the large fuel trucks making daily airport deliveries.