TMCs are critical resources that offer agencies the potential to improve the safety and mobility of travel on the surface transportation system. TMCs have also been deployed or are being enhanced to assist agencies in fulfilling the ever-increasing transportation needs of travelers (e.g., travel times), service providers (e.g., transit, emergency services), other agencies, and the public (e.g., incidents). TMCs are comprised of a complex, integrated blend of hardware, software, operational strategies, processes, and people performing a range of functions and actions. TMCs typically consist of multiple subsystems, which may include functionality such as ramp metering, traffic signal control, dynamic message signs, data, software, and communication. The deployment, integration, operation, management, and maintenance required to ensure the operation of TMSs, TMCs, and subsystems is very complex as the supporting technologies continue to evolve.

The objectives of the Transportation Management Centers (TMC) Pooled Fund Study (PFS) are to assemble regional, state, and local transportation management agencies and FHWA to: (1) identify key issues and challenges agencies are facing with their traffic management systems (TMSs) or centers (TMCs); (2) suggest approaches to address identified issues; (3) initiate and monitor projects intended to address identified issues; (4) develop technical resources and disseminate results; (5) provide leadership and coordinate with others on TMC interests; and (6) promote and facilitate sharing information on TMC issues nationally.

The TMC PFS is a group of public agencies and organizations who voluntarily pool funds each year to address the key challenges and issues they are facing in support of improving the performance, capabilities, management, and operation of their TMSs. TMC PFS members collaborate by using funds they contribute to pursue projects that develop technical resources and advance activities to address the key challenges and issues they are collectively facing. Information on the current and completed projects of the TMC PFS are available at: https://tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm.

TMC PFS members have identified the need to develop resources to assist with evaluating and benchmarking the capabilities and desired levels of performance for both existing and next generation TMS. TMC PFS members have identified ideas for possible future projects to pursue within the following four technical areas: 1) assessing and reporting on TMS capabilities and performance; 2) planning, designing, and procuring TMSs; 3) managing and operating TMSs;  and 4) staffing, support resources, and capacity building.

FHWA is the lead agency for the TMC PFS and Chip Millard (Chip.Millard@dot.gov) is the lead point of contact. FHWA provides the staff and resources (e.g., administrative, technical, project management) to facilitate all the activities and develop the technical resources for each initiated project. The Chair of the TMC Pooled Fund Study is Juan Hernandez from the Nevada Department of Transportation. The Co-chairs are David Gaffney from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Suzette Peplinski from the Michigan Department of Transportation. 

The desired level of contribution is $50,000 per year for each agency. The desired minimum commitment is $25,000. The level of commitment per agency may vary, taking into account the size and type of agency (e.g. state, county, city). Agencies can join and add their commitments to the TMC PFS at any time during the year. State agencies may join online at the Transportation Pooled Fund Program web site. Other agencies may join and can obtain additional information from the FHWA Program Manager Chip Millard (Chip.Millard@dot.gov).