Operations and Management

Congestion Reduction Project Scopes Study

Traffic congestion impedes efficient commerce and frustrates travelers across western Connecticut. Local officials are eager to reduce congestion but often lack the information and staff resources to systematically assess traffic conditions and identify most promising solutions. To address this situation, the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) sponsored a study to systematically evaluate and rank existing conditions, screen remedial interventions and develop a limited number of conceptual project designs to reduce congestion.

Congestion levels on the surface road/street network (i.e., all public roads except freeways) across WestCOG’s entire 18-municipality service area were evaluated and ranked. After considering the intensity of congestion, feasibility of significant improvement and municipal interest in advancing a project, several locations were identified for further evaluation and consideration. Ultimately, design concepts in five municipalities were prepared. Preliminary design information (e.g., traffic analysis, cost estimates) for the concept designs may be used by the WestCOG municipalities to jump start design and implementation.

Report Documents:
- Final Report: CONGES~1.PDF
- Justification Report: Appendix C_DesignJustificationReport.pdf
- Concept Plans: Appendix D_Project_Concept_Designs.pdf

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are technologies that are designed to improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation system.

Connecticut State ITS Architecture 2023:

The Connecticut Statewide ITS Architecture is a roadmap for transportation systems integration in the State of Connecticut over the next 10 to 15 years. The ITS architecture covers the broad spectrum of Intelligent Transportation Systems, including Traffic Management, Public Transportation, Traveler Information, Maintenance and Construction, Public Safety, Commercial Vehicle Operations, Parking Management, and Data Management over this time horizon. The Statewide ITS Architecture has been developed through a cooperative effort by the state’s transportation agencies, covering all modes and all roads in the state.

Connecticut Statewide ITS Architecture (link to: Home)

Traffic Incident Management

Traffic Incident Management (TIM) consists of a planned and coordinated multi-disciplinary process to detect, respond to, and clear traffic incidents so that traffic flow may be restored as safely and quickly as possible. Effective TIM reduces the duration and impacts of traffic incidents; improves the safety of motorists, crash victims, and emergency responders; and reduces the frequency of secondary crashes.

WestCOG supports TIM through planning coordination with CTDOT, DEMHS, ESF-1, and the Greater Hartford Traffic Incident Management Coalition:

Traffic Incident Management Coalition
- Meetings and Newsletters (link to: Traffic Incident Management: Meeting Materials and Supporting Documents – CRCOG | Capitol Region Council of Governments)
Diversion Plans
- In coordination with CTDOT, WestCOG, and member municipalities, detailed diversion plans were developed for major state highways and state routes in the region. These plans are for emergency use only and modifications may be made. Please note these plans are not emergency evacuation routes, rather, are being made available to assist local and state officials during short-term closures of less than three days.
  - Diversion Plans for I-84 (link to: dp-i-84.pdf)
  - Diversion Plans for I-95 (link to: dp-i-95.pdf)
  - CTDOT Diversion Plans webpage (link to: Diversion Plans)

ADA Self Evaluations and Transition Plans

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990 and generally requires that buildings, facilities and services be accessible to persons with disabilities. Title II of the Act specifically pertains to government (federal, state and local) facilities. The Act requires that each jurisdiction prepare a Transition Plan to identify deficiencies, recommend correcting improvements, costs, schedules and responsibility for implementation.

CTDOT:

In 2024, CTDOT updated the ADA Transition Plan which includes updates on CTDOT’s ADA policies and procedures, CTDOT’s ADA Coordinators, CTDOT’s accessibility guidelines, and standards, inventory updates for physical obstacles that limit the accessibility of facilities to individuals with disabilities, and barrier removal programs that are used to make facilities accessible.

CTDOT ADA Transition Plan (link to: Transition Plan and Self Evaluation)

WestCOG Municipal ADA Transition Plan Project:

In 2024, WestCOG initiated a regional project to develop ADA Transition Plans for its member municipalities.

WestCOG has retained a consulting firm, WT Group, to work with each municipality; their tasks include inspections of municipally owned facilities, review of programs and policies, plan preparation and stakeholder involvement. Site visits to the municipalities began in September 2024 and are expected to occur throughout the fall and spring of 2025.

In addition to the site visits and program reviews, the project also includes a robust program of stakeholder involvement. This is expected to include in-person public feedback sessions and surveys in each municipality. The ultimate result of the project will be an endorsed Transition Plan for each municipality with recommended improvements, estimated costs, schedule and implementation responsibility. The plans will be prepared in a format that allows the municipalities to track progress and update as recommendations are implemented.

For more information, please visit the project webpage: ADA – Western Connecticut Council of Governments