19.1 Operations Task Force – Year 12

The North/West Passage Operations Task Force was established in 2013.  The intent of the task force is to:

  • Establish relationships.
  • Enhance the scope of operations-oriented, maintenance operations, and Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) related projects.
  • Support further implementation of project findings.
  • Increase interaction among the states outside of major events.

Led by the Operations Task Force, a memorandum of understanding was signed for traveler information coordination and operational guidelines were developed in 2011.  The documents are periodically reviewed and updated by the task force.

Since its fourth year as a task force, a technician’s forum is conducted to provide an opportunity for member states to talk with each other and learn about projects or topics of interest.  The forum is modeled after the Western States Forum.

Since its second year as a task force, a round robin webinar is held annually for members to highlight the major events as well as winter and flood season activities for that year. In addition, 4 to 6 webinars on various topics are held throughout the year which may include presentations or round robin discussions.

Webinars

DateTopic
December 3, 2025Traffic signal preemption for snowplows.
Presentation 1: Utah DOT Snowplow Preemption
Presentation 2: Montana DOT Snowplow Preemption
October 30, 2025Traffic safety campaign messages.
September 23, 2025Local closure traveler information approaches updates.
August 27, 2025Technician’s Forum
Presentation 1: Evaluation and Application of Fotokite Tethered Drones in Rural Areas of California and Washington – Presenters, Mike Southwick, Washington State DOT and Paul Yamashita, Caltrans
Presentation 2: Wyoming Roadside Network Backhaul Upgrade– Presenters, Keith Tupper and Steve Nickles, Wyoming DOT
Presentation 3: Montana TMC – Presenter, Curtis Buckley, Montana DOT
Webinar Recording
July 16, 2025Texas DOT Autonomous Trucking Experiences – Presenter Zeke Reyna, Emerging Technology Portfolio Project Manager at Texas DOT
June 11, 2025Members discussed state approaches with DMS.
May 14, 2025Member highlights and discussion from the 2025-26 winter and flood season
February 12, 2025Members, webinar schedule, and work plan project ideas discussion

Related Projects