Congestion Management Process Home 1 Develop Regional Objectives for Congestion Management 2 Define CMP Network 3 Develop Multimodal Performance Measures 4 Collect Data & Monitor System Performance 5 Analyze Congestion Problems and Needs 6 Identify and Assess Strategies 7 Program and Implement Strategies 8 Evaluate Strategy Effectiveness

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the GBNRTC Congestion Management Process (CMP) were developed to advance the Buffalo Niagara transportation network as adopted and approved in the following documents:

The goals and objectives of the GBNRTC CMP were formulated consistent with the current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Congestion Management Process: A Guidebook, April 2011 (herein referred to as the FHWA CMP Guidebook). Per the FHWA CMP Guidebook, the CMP can account “for congestion management in the context of multiple goals, including economic vitality, safety, multimodal choices, and the environment.” GBNRTC CMP utilizes the policy framework and associated goals of Moving Forward 2050, which was produced through an inclusive process that engaged the GBNRTC Member Agencies, Regional Strategic Stakeholders, and other organizations. Moving Forward 2050 provides the foundation for identifying transportation projects and programs to improve the economy, strengthen communities, enhance the environment, and foster innovation in Buffalo Niagara (see Figure 1). The GBNRTC CMP further defines and operationalizes the goals that can be improved through congestion management.

The goals and objectives of the GBNRTC CMP were formulated consistent with the current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Congestion Management Process: A Guidebook, April 2011 (herein referred to as the FHWA CMP Guidebook). Per the FHWA CMP Guidebook, the CMP can account “for congestion management in the context of multiple goals, including economic vitality, safety, multimodal choices, and the environment.” GBNRTC CMP utilizes the policy framework and associated goals of Moving Forward 2050, which was produced through an inclusive process that engaged the GBNRTC Member Agencies, Regional Strategic Stakeholders, and other organizations. Moving Forward 2050 provides the foundation for identifying transportation projects and programs to improve the economy, strengthen communities, enhance the environment, and foster innovation in Buffalo Niagara (see goals below). The GBNRTC CMP further defines and operationalizes the goals that can be improved through congestion management.

​As discussed in the FHWA CMP Guidebook, objectives of the GBNRTC CMP were developed by:

  • Considering questions such as:

    • How high a priority is traffic congestion in Buffalo Niagara?

    • Which types of congestion are most problematic for the general public and freight-related businesses?

    • What aspects of delay, if reduced, will improve the economy, strengthen communities, enhance the environment, and foster innovation?

  • Incorporating “SMART” characteristics to the extent possible. As a process, the objectives of the GBNRTC CMP will be refined as the overall role of transportation, specifically focused on congestion management in achieving the goals of Buffalo Niagara are revisited.​

The SMART objectives are organized by category below.

"SMART" Objectives

To the greatest extent possible, the objectives of the GBNRTC CMP are intended to be “SMART” outcome-based metrics that focus on the experience of users of the transportation system.

Learn more about "SMART" Objectives by hovering over the boxes below.

Specific

The objective provides sufficient specificity to guide formulation of viable approaches to achieve the objective without dictating the approach.

Measurable

The objective facilitates quantitative evaluation, saying how many or how much should be accomplished.

Agreed

Planners, operators, and relevant planning participants come to a consensus on a common objective.

Realistic

The objective can reasonably be accomplished within the limitations of resources and other demands.

Time-Bound

The objective identifies a timeframe within which it will be achieved.

 
 

SMART Goal #1 - System Reliability

The consistency of travel times is an important factor for users of the transportation system. When congestion is highly variable, travelers must incorporate additional time into their trips to ensure they arrive at their destination at the desired time.

  • Increase the percent of person-miles traveled on the Interstate system that are reliable in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting the statewide 2-Year target for 2024 of 75.0%.

  • Increase the percent of the person-miles traveled on the non-Interstate National Highway System that are reliable in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting statewide 2-Year target for 2024 of 70.0%.

  • Increase the 82.6% on-time performance of NFTA Metro Bus in 2023.

  • Increase the 88.4% on-time performance of NFTA Metro Rail in 2023.

  • Meet the established target of clearing 66% of all incidents within 30 minutes each month on roadways monitored by NITTEC.

SMART Goal #2 - Freight & Economic Activity

Congestion can be detrimental to businesses and their customers due to reduced productivity, wasted fuel, and other costs related to delay. The three major border crossings to and from Southern Ontario are critical to the Buffalo Niagara economy.

  • Maintain or decrease the truck travel time reliability index in Buffalo Niagara consistent with the statewide 2-Year target for 2024 of 2.0%.

  • Maintain or reduce the percentage of time there is simultaneous delays of greater than 10 minutes entering Canada (1% in 2023) and the United States (9% in 2023).

SMART Goal #3 - Modal Shift

Reducing the number of trips made by single occupancy vehicle and during peak periods can result in decreased recurring congestion. This requires increasing the number of options that are convenient and attractive in order to get people to choose modes other than privately-owned automobiles.

  • Increase the percent of work trips made by transit, bicycling, walking, and other means in Erie and Niagara Counties above 7% in 2023.

  • Increase the number of Reddy Bikeshare trips by 5% compared to 2023.

  • Increase NFTA Metro Bus ridership above 11.8 million trips in 2023.

  • Increase NFTA Metro Rail ridership above 2.5 million trips in 2023.

SMART Goal #4 - Safety

Crashes of all types pose risks to life and property. In addition, they result in unplanned non-recurring congestion that creates delay, reduces reliability, and the potential for secondary incidents. On facilities that are experiencing recurring congestion or are near the threshold of experiencing recurring congestions, crashes exacerbate the levels of delay during the peak period(s).

  • Reduce the five-year rolling average for fatalities in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting the current 2023 statewide target of 988.2.

  • Reduce the five-year rolling average for the rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting the current 2023 statewide target of .836.

  • Reduce the five-year rolling average for serious injuries in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting the current 2023 statewide target of 11,086.2.

  • Reduce the five-year rolling average for the rate of serious injuries in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting the current 2023 statewide target of 9.337.

  • Reduce the five-year rolling average for non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries in Buffalo Niagara to assist in meeting the 2023 current statewide target of 2,633.4.

 

The objectives of the GBNRTC CMP serve as the basis for defining the CMP network, developing multimodal performance measures, collecting data and monitoring performance, analyzing needs, identifying and assessing strategies, implementing preferred strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of implemented strategies.