Program Benefits

A photo of two people in an operations center looking at computer screens.

Coordinated responses to travel disruptions

The RM3P will help local, regional, and state agencies work together to more quickly and effectively resolve disruptions that slow travelers down by using decision-support technology and improved coordination. For example, if a Metrorail train derails, a temporary system of shuttle buses (known as a “bus bridge”) can be deployed more quickly, and train signals can be retimed, reducing the length of delays.

A photo of lane closures on a highway in Northern Virginia. The vehicles are merging from occupying four lanes to occupying just two.

Improved safety

The RM3P has the potential to better orchestrate multi-agency responses to safety-related incidents. By removing road hazards more quickly, agencies responsible for roadway operations can reduce the number of crashes. Predictive technology has been piloted to reduce crashes with a potential of nearly 20 percent.

A photo of five people in an office conference room. One person is gesturing to materials as the others listen.

Collaborative planning

The RM3P will provide transportation planners across the region access to better data and new analysis tools. This facilitates collaborative planning of their short-term operations and long-term planning to meet travelers’ needs. This is supported by FHWA’s ICM Findings Report, which states that collaborative operational decisions benefit the corridor as a whole.

A photo of passengers waiting for a train at the Burke Center VRE station.

More reliable commute

The RM3P will provide the region’s transportation network operators and private partners with real-time and predictive information about travel conditions (such as delays on roads and transit, and parking availability). This information, when shared with their customers, will help people make more informed choices about how and when to travel.

A photo of a Fairfax Connector bus on a road. The bus is carrying bicycles on an bike rack at its front.

Enhanced connections

Travelers in our region have different transportation service needs when events impact the region (such as major Metrorail track maintenance or a forecasted snowstorm). The increased availability of travel data will enable public and private transportation service providers, such as local buses, rail, bikeshare, and ride-sharing companies, to collectively address changes in travelers’ needs.

A photo of a woman on her phone while waiting at a bus stop.
Incentives for individual travelers

The RM3P will offer travelers incentives that vary based on current conditions, such as the encouraged use of routes or modes that maximize the efficiency of the transportation network. By making this choice, individual travelers help reduce congestion for all and allow everyone to get around more quickly and safely.