I-70 Speed Harmonization Test Considered Successful

SUMMIT/CLEAR CREEK COUNTIES – Results from the second Rolling Speed Harmonization effort continues to demonstrate that it can be utilized to improve safety, reduce crashes and ultimately improve traffic flow on Interstate 70 during heavier travel periods.  The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), in coordination with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), and Silverthorne Police Department (SPD), conducted the test along a 27-mile segment of eastbound Interstate 70, from Silverthorne to Empire Junction (U.S. 40), on Sunday, September 25.  Operations took place from 11:15 a.m. to approximately 3:15 p.m. This was the second test of the operation.

When Rolling Speed Harmonization is underway, a law enforcement vehicle runs its emergency lights and merges ahead of traffic to pace vehicles and create more speed uniformity.  SPD paced from Silverthorne to the west portal of the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels (EJMT), where the SPD handed off to the CSP through the EJMT to Empire Junction.

Results from the second test included:

• Speeds averaged 55 mph (posted speed 60 mph) from Silverthorne to the EJMT; 50 mph (posted 50 mph) within the EJMT; and 60 mph (posted 65 mph) from the EJMT to Empire Junction.  When traffic congestion occurs, the average speed along this 27-mile segment varies between 10 and 30 mph.*
• The data showed very high compliance among drivers and speed differentials between vehicles were reduced, even for vehicles traveling outside the paced group of vehicles – a key determinant since wide variations in speed lead to higher probability of accidents which, in turn, substantially increases congestion.
• Vehicle counts during the test period: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – 1,879; 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – 2,068; 1 p.m. to     2 p.m. – 2,076; 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – 2,125; 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – 2,273

“It’s interesting to note that after we concluded operations, vehicle speeds dropped significantly east of Empire Junction, from 60 to about 30 miles per hour,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Tony DeVito.   “We began to see vehicles clumping together again, which contributed to the congestion and slower speeds.”

The September 25 test was a follow-up to one conducted on Saturday, August 13, along eastbound I-70 from Silverthorne to the EJMT.  This second test was undertaken to analyze results along a longer segment and during a higher traffic period.

“All of the data we’re seeing from the two test runs indicates that Rolling Speed Harmonization can be used as another tool for maximizing capacity, improving safety and lowering the number of accidents, which are a big contributor to traffic congestion,” added DeVito.  “It’s the congestion that leads to tunnel metering, something we would like to reduce since it’s an inconvenience for I-70 travelers.”

CDOT holds or “meters” eastbound traffic at the tunnel when vehicle volumes exceed the capacity of I-70.  When back-ups occur, CDOT stops vehicles from entering the tunnel, allowing traffic to clear, before releasing more traffic into the tunnel.

Rolling Speed Harmonization is expected to be implemented early in 2012.  It is projected to operate when ski traffic is at its highest, primarily on Sunday afternoons.  CDOT will continue to monitor the results from its usage and determine how often it should be put into operation.

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*The average speed for large trucks (over 26,000 pounds) traveling from Silverthorne to the EJMT is 30 mph.  However, since I-70 is three lanes along this segment, a majority of vehicles are able pass and maintain uniform speeds.  From the EJMT east, large trucks are able to harmonize with other traffic since travel primarily is downhill.  CDOT currently is collaborating with the trucking industry to identify shipments that are not required to travel the I-70 west corridor during the most congested periods to minimize impacts for commercial, commuter and recreational traffic.