PennDOT receives two transportation awards from National Operations Center of Excellence

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The National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) recently presented the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) two awards to recognize the state’s safety and efficiency initiatives.

PennDOT received two 2020 Annual Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSMO) awards. TSMO is a set of integrated strategies designed to optimize the performance of operations on existing infrastructure through the implementation of multimodal, cross-jurisdictional systems, services, and projects designed to preserve capacity and improve security, safety, and reliability.

“I am so proud of the department and the recognition that we’ve received,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “These awards showcase the dedication and passion of our Operations team to continually improve safety and congestion on our roadways.”

The agency’s TSMO Performance Program and Traffic Operations Analytics (TOA) Tool won first place for Best TSMO Project of the year. The Performance Program brought together internal and external information, allowing for more data-driven outcomes concerning congestion planning, incident response, and motorist safety.

PennDOT’s TSMO Regional Operations Plans also garnered top honors for Project Selection and Prioritization. The agency’s Regional Operations Plans were developed under stakeholders that included metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and rural planning organizations (RPOs), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, local emergency responders, transit agencies, universities, the local National Weather Service office and PennDOT staff statewide.