Pittsburgh Highways: Pittsburgh Regional Traffic Management Center

If you have ever been one of the unfortunate people to be sitting in traffic on one of the Parkways, it is more than likely the standard "slow down for the tunnels" reaction. However, it sometimes it is not the tunnels, but a problem on the other side causing traffic to grind to a halt. The drivers don't know the cause of the delay, but they may have been able to avoid the accident or overturned tractor-trailer if they had advance notice. That is where the District 11-0 Pittsburgh Regional Traffic Control Center comes into the picture.

The state-of-the-art Traffic Management Center (TMC) is located at the District 11-0 headquarters in Bridgeville right next to Interstate 79 and began operation in 1998. It oversees most of the southwestern Pennsylvania highway system and controls Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) devices in Districts 1-0, 10-0, 11-0, and 12-0. The center operates Monday through Friday from 5 AM to 8 PM, as well as weekends during special events.

The TMC is part of an Advanced Traveler Information System, providing information that is gathered from the highways in the metropolitan area to customers, media, and transportation partners. PennDOT uses the Internet, 90 closed circuit television cameras, over-height truck detection, automated reversible HOV lanes, eight Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) transmitters, and 24 variable message signs to keep traffic flowing in the ten-county area of southwestern Pennsylvania. Feeds from the cameras are also provided to WTAE-TV and WPXI-TV for use during morning newscasts.

PennDOT staff at the TMC monitor conditions on I-79, I-279, I-376, I-579, US 22/US 30, and the West End Bridge with the help of closed circuit television cameras. With a bird's eye view of traffic, staff can quickly spot problems and immediately alert the Parkway Service Patrol and Pennsylvania State Police of an incident. Local traffic services, such as KDKA 1020 AM, Metro Traffic, and Traffic.com, will also be alerted so they may pass along news to travelers. Emergency agencies will also be alerted in cases of fire or serious accidents.

	The outside of the PennDOT District 11-0 office in Bridgeville where the Regional Traffic Management Center is located. (Jeff Kitsko)
	Wide view of the Traffic Management Center showing the monitor bank and workstations. The gentleman on the phone is Dominic Munzzia, P.E., the former manager of the TMC who was gracious enough to provide attendees of the first National Road Enthusiast Meet a tour of the center. (Jeff Kitsko)
	Close-up view of the monitor bank that show feeds from all 90 cameras in rotation. The main screen is showing bottlenecking at Banksville Road due to an accident involving legendary former Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope. (Jeff Kitsko)
	One of the workstations where feeds from the cameras can be viewed as well as where the messages that appear on the VMS boards can be changed. (Jeff Kitsko)
	The media room where traffic reporters for local radio stations and Traffic.com file their reports. (Jeff Kitsko)
	The server room where the feeds from the cameras come in as well as the connections with the VMS boards and with the HAR transmitters. (Jeff Kitsko)

The PennDOT Parkway Service Patrol is the "hands on" portion of traffic control in Pittsburgh. The fleet consists of GMC Twin Line Lift tow trucks equipped with emergency lights and arrow boards. The trucks continually patrol I-279, I-376, and I-579 between the hours of 6 AM to 9 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM.

These patrols began in 1996 and were expanded statewide to include Philadelphia and Harrisburg a few years later, and the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area in January 2005.

The patrols help motorists for free when their vehicles suffer mechanical failure, flat tires, or involved in a minor accident. Changing tires, providing fuel, providing a battery jump start, temporarily repairing cooling system hoses, and refilling radiators are some of the standard services provided to get a vehicle mobile. If the operator can not fix the problem within 10 minutes, or if something more serious is found, the vehicle is towed to a designated drop-off location where the owner can call for additional help. Only automobiles, motorcycles, and small trucks are towed. The patrols also assist local law enforcement at accident scenes by providing traffic control or moving vehicles involved out of traffic lanes. Even if not caused by an accident, crews are responsible for removing small non-hazardous debris from the highways.


Equipment on Board Each Truck
Cellular Telephone Two-way Radio Scanner CB Radio PA System with External Speaker Tool Box Containing Basic Mechanical Tools Standard Screwdrivers Phillips Screwdrivers Needle Nose Pliers Large Crescent Wrench Small Crescent Wrench Five Pound Hammer Rubber Mallet Channel Lock Pliers Common Pliers Wire Cutters Electrical Tape (two rolls) Duct Tape (two rolls) Mechanics Wire Bolt Cutters Tire Pressure Gauge Flashlight/Extra Batteries Safety Goggles HazMat Guide Book Rain Jacket Rain Pants Gloves Complete First Aid Kit Diesel Fuel (five gallons) Unleaded Fuel (five gallons) Radiator Coolant (five gallons) Engine Oil (two quarts) 20 Pound Fire Extinguisher Fire Axe Pry Bar Wooden Blocks	Street Broom Square Point Shovel Highway Flares (36 minutes) Ten 28 Inch Cones Four Way Standard Lug Wrench Four Way Light Truck Lug Wrench Jar of Putty to Stop Leaks Spill Containment System Hydraulic Floor Jack Air Bottle/Hoses and Fittings Heavy Duty Booster Cables Large Vice Grips Small Vice Grips Standard Socket Set Metric Socket Set Two Funnels Five Gallon Trash Can One-Half Inch Rope Large Alloy Tow Chain Small Alloy Tow Chain Safety Signs and Flags Four Red Flags PA State Maps Whisk Broom Oil Dry (Sand Material) Bags of Salt (Winter Only) Hand Cleaner Tire Chocks (two pair) Blanket Pen and Paper/Clipboard Emergency Phone Numbers Two Vests/Hard Hat AM/FM Radio Trailer Hitch Local Phone Book