Big I (I-40/I-25) reconstruction & ITS infrastructure.
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2010-04-20
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Abstract:The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) rebuilt the Big I interchange
in Albuquerque to make it safer and more efficient and to provide better access. The Big
I is where the Coronado Interstate (I-40) and the Pan American Freeway (I-25) intersect
in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The original Big I was designed to support an average
daily traffic (ADT) of 40,000 vehicles and was severely over capacity, experiencing an
average of 1.7 crashes per day that were estimated to cost about $12 million annually
(data from 1999). ADT in the interchange was approximately 300,000 vehicles prior to
its redesign; the redesigned Big I has a design capacity of 400,000 ADT. The two-year
project began on June 30, 2000 and involved 111 lane-miles of construction and 45 new
and 10 rehabilitated bridges.
For the Big I project, NMDOT
employed ITS in the form of a mobile
traffic monitoring and management
system to help move the large number
of vehicles through the extensive
construction area. Mobile traffic
monitoring and management systems
use electronics and communications
equipment to monitor traffic flow and
provide delay and routing information to
drivers and agency personnel. The ITS application deployed at the Big I in 2000 was
used for the duration of the work zone (two years). The ITS components were deployed
just prior to construction, with plans to incorporate portions of the system as part of a
permanent ITS application for freeway management once construction was completed.
NMDOT used ITS for this major construction project for several reasons, including:
changes in traffic patterns, nighttime closures, and pre-determined alternate routes
required that travelers be provided with high quality real-time information on travel route
availability. The high volume of traffic moving through the Big I created great potential
for congestion. NMDOT estimated that normal traffic volume had to be reduced by at
least 20 percent to keep traffic moving through the Big I area. Incidents would create
further congestion and require rapid response to avoid additional delays. A system was
needed to provide accurate information, support quick identification of incidents, and
help manage traffic through the area.
The main goals of the ITS portion of the Big-I reconstruction were:
· To provide traffic management capabilities and traffic information on traffic
routing, detours, and significant incidents;
· To minimize capacity restrictions due to incidents by more quickly identifying
incidents and determining an appropriate and effective response to clear the
roadway; and
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· To enhance traffic safety.
The total cost of the Big I ITS infrastructure project was $1.5 million. NMDOT assumed
ownership of all the ITS components at the end of the construction project.
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