A common practice amongst transportation agencies, the initiation and coordination of lane closure requests and subsequent approvals typically relies on a manually intensive paper, email, text and phone call coordination process. But now, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), with the assistance from HNTB, has successfully transformed this outdated process to a highly efficient digital system.
Implementing a software application originally developed and piloted by the firm for NJDOT’s Interstate 80 corridor, the Lane Closure Management System (LCMS) is a digital infrastructure solution that creates enhanced technological and operational efficiency for roadway closure requests and approvals. With HNTB providing software development and project management services, the LCMS now extends to all interstate roadways under NJDOT’s jurisdiction.
The cloud-based application enables authorized personnel to log on to the LCMS via any device and submit lane closure requests. The application then routes requests through a workflow approval process and validates them against NJDOT’s Mobility Operations traffic management policies. Once processed, the system communicates status outcomes to the requestor via email, system alerts and/or text messages based on the user’s preferences.
Planned and active lane closures are communicated to the traveling public through the system’s automated notifications that are shared on 511NJ.org.
To ensure the success of the statewide expansion, HNTB served as the program manager and was responsible for all aspects of the software implementation process, including application requirements assessment and discovery, software development, data support and system deployment. The firm’s preexisting institutional knowledge of NJDOT’s traffic management policies, roadway design and infrastructure aided the seamless development and integration of the application.
Data-Driven Results
The LCMS application has become a mission-critical tool for NJDOT’s lane closure management operations, providing enhanced levels of communication, safety and operational efficiency. With the digital infrastructure solution in place, the department, which manages an average of 100 work zone reservation requests per week, has realized a 20-percent labor savings.
Location: New Jersey
Client: New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
Services: Program management, software development
Awards: Distinguished Award, ACEC New Jersey (2023); Statewide/Regional Agency Outstanding ITS Project or Program, Design Category - ITS NJ (2023); Distinguished Award, ACEC New Jersey (2024)