Philadelphia Highways: Philadelphia Traffic Control Center

Philadelphia Highways
Philadelphia Traffic Control Center

Sitting in traffic is the worst thing that a motorist can endure in a commute (or maybe it's only being able to receive one radio station, which happens to be in the middle of a 'Greatest Hits of Celine Dion' countdown). The drivers don't know the cause of the delay, but they may have been able to avoid the congestion if they had had prior knowledge. That is where the PennDOT District 6-0 Traffic Control Center comes into the picture.

Map of the area served by the Traffic and Incident Management System of
southeastern Pennsylvania. Symbols on it designate dynamic message signs,
ramp meters, traffic cameras, etc. along the various highways. (Jeff Kitsko)

The state-of-the-art Traffic Control Center (TCC) is located at the District 6-0 headquarters in King of Prussia. It oversees the operation of the highway system of the largest city in Pennsylvania, and one of several in the Northeastern Megalopolis. It operates 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week and is the second generation TCC; the original began in 1993 in the former District 6-0 headquarters in Saint Davids off Interstate 476.

Picture commemorating the first Traffic Control Center established in the former District 6 headquarters in St. Davids. (Jeff Kitsko)

The TCC 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, 100 closed circuit television cameras, satellites, ramp metering, and 40 dynamic message signs to keep traffic flowing in the five-county area of southeastern Pennsylvania.

	Components of the Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS). (Jeff Kitsko)
	Diagrams showing the difference between an on-ramp with ramp meters and one without ramp meters. (Jeff Kitsko)

Since PennDOT is a member of the I-95 Corridor Coalition, which is a union of transportation agencies along the Interstate 95 corridor from Florida to Maine, alerts can be passed back and forth between them to warn travelers of congestion ahead. For example, if an accident occurs on Interstate 95 at the Vine Street Expressway, traffic alerts via dynamic message signs (DMS) can be sent as far south as Washington, DC or as far north as New York City. Conversely, if the same where to happen in other areas along Interstate 95, those agencies could contact the TCC and instruct them to change the DMS messages along I-95 to alert motorists.

	The Philadelphia Traffic Control Center, with operators terminals in the foreground and monitors in the background for keeping an eye on the expressways. The layout of the TCC was planned by the operators who work here. (Jeff Kitsko)
	The computer sitting against the wall is used to change the messages on the dynamic message signs along the expressways. Operators can also input AMBER alerts at that terminal. (Jeff Kitsko)

PennDOT staff at the TCC monitor conditions on I-95, I-476, I-676, and US 422 with the help of 56 closed circuit television cameras. With a bird's eye view of traffic, staff can quickly spot problems and immediately alert the Philadelphia Expressway Patrol and Pennsylvania State Police of an incident. Local traffic services, such as KYW 1060 AM, 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. There are plans to provide information gathered at the TCC to the public via the Internet.

The joint was jumping in Summer 2000 when the Philadelphia TCC served as a transportation hub during the Republican National Convention. Representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania National Guard, Maryland State Highway Administration, and the Delaware Department of Transportation were stationed there to react to any situation that might have impacted the convention.

Traffic Control Center Staff (L-R): Matt Elliott, Frank DiJoseph,
Karl Ziemer, Vahik Andonian, and Rock Hoffman (PennDOT)

PennDOT Expressway Patrol The PennDOT Expressway Service Patrol is the "hands on" portion of traffic control in Philadelphia. The fleet consists of five GMC Twin Line Lift tow trucks equipped with emergency lights and arrow boards. Three trucks continuously patrol Interstates 76, 95, and 676 within Philadelphia County, and the Fort Washington Expressway weekdays from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM. One truck patrols Interstate 76 from the Turnpike to the Philadelphia County line from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM, one truck patrols Interstate 95 in Delaware County, US 202 in Chester and Montgomery Counties, and US 422 in Montgomery County, and two trucks cover Interstate 476 in Chester and Montgomery Counties weekdays from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

These patrols began in Pittsburgh in 1996 as the "Parkway Patrol," expanded to include Philadelphia and Harrisburg a few years later, and began in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton 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

Emergency Service Patrol operators wear a uniform consisting of a white shirt with light gray stripes and a PennDOT logo on the shoulder, lime-green reflective vest, dark pants with reflective stripes, and black caps with "Expressway Patrol" written in green. During winter months, they wear lime-green jackets. They also carry identification with their picture, name, and no reference to any private towing company.

As part of the program, the Emergency Service Patrol operator will ask the motorist to fill out a self-addressed stamped postcard evaluating the service. The card's destination is the Traffic Control Center and its purpose is help District 6 improve the patrol service.

Expressway Service Patrol Staff (L-R): Nathan Hauk, Joe Carpani,
Chuck Tammany, Dave Fletcher, Michael Demeno, Paul Wolfe, Kevin
Bowe, and George Young (PennDOT)

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission named the TCC as the 2005 Pennsylvania Regional Transportation Project of the Year.

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact the TCC at 610-205-6934.

Links:
Interstate 476 Ramp Meter System
Freeway Management - PennDOT District 6-0
Traffic Cameras - PennDOT District 6-0
Traffic Control Center Overview - PennDOT District 6-0

Back to Philadelphia Highways
Page updated July 18, 2008.
Content and graphics, unless otherwise noted, copyright © Jeffrey J. Kitsko. All rights reserved.
Information courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 6 and "PennDOT Traffic Control Center Named Regional Transportation Project of the Year." Corridor News 13.2 (2005): 22.