Traffic Management Systems (TMSs) Supporting the Use of Part-Time Shoulders

This fact sheet highlights the benefits, and the lessons learned regarding part-time shoulder use (PTSU) and how it involves converting roadway space primarily used as a shoulder to a lane for travel during specific hours of the day or for different types of vehicles. PTSU has been implemented on freeways and other related types of roadways to improve travel safety and reliability when conditions warrant. The use of PTSU as an operational strategy requires TMS to actively manage and operate traffic in response to recurring or nonrecurring conditions.