Houston TranStar
Encyclopedia
Established in 1993, Houston TranStar is a partnership of four government agencies that are responsible for providing Transportation Management and Emergency Management services to the Greater Houston, Texas
Region. TranStar provides management of the region’s transportation system and has evolved into a primary resource from which multiple state, county and local agencies respond to incidents and emergencies in Harris County, Texas and beyond. The TranStar partnership allows the agencies to pool their resources and find solutions for providing these services to the citizens of the region. The following agencies are currently part of the Houston TranStar partnership:
Texas Department of Transportation
Harris County, Texas
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
City of Houston
Houston TranStar, a national leader in freeway incident management, uses state-of-the-art technologies to reduce congestion on major roadways. Monitoring traffic incidents with 730 regional Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs), staff at the TranStar center dispatch vehicles to remove debris or hazardous materials, communicate with emergency vehicles about the most direct routes to an accident scene, and send tow trucks to stalled vehicles. Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), deployed from Houston TranStar, inform travelers about expected travel times and traffic issues ahead. Synchronized traffic signals, speed sensors, Highway Advisory Radio, ramp meters and other devices also help keep the region’s traffic moving.
Emergency Management
When emergency conditions arise such as hurricanes, floods, industrial explosions or terrorist attacks, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Houston TranStar is activated. Representatives from all four collaborating agencies—as well as such diverse entities as the U.S. Army, Salvation Army, Harris County Toll Road Authority, Amateur Radio Operator volunteers, the American Red Cross, and area local governments—come together to coordinate a quick, effective response. The Automated Flood Warning System, Doppler Radar Imagery, Satellite Weather Maps, Road Flood Warning Systems and the Regional Incident Management System (RIMS) comprise some of the tools used to address the emergency.
SAFE Clear
Established by the City of Houston in 2005, SAFE Clear is a traffic incident management program intended to oversee tow operator response to freeway collisions. SAFE Clears goal is to reduce the occurrence of secondary crashes on freeways. In 2008, the average time from tow authorization to clearance was 18.8 minutes (down 3.9% below the 2007 average). The monthly average ranged from 13 minutes in May 2008 to 26 minutes in August 2008.
Motorist Assistance Program (MAP)
One of the most visible and convenient programs offered by Houston TranStar partnering agencies, Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) began in 1986 to aid motorists with minor automotive emergencies on freeways such as overheating, flat tires, and jump-starts. Since the program's inception, over 100,000 motorists have counted on MAP to get them back on the road. There were 36,511 road incidents managed by MAP in 2008, an increase of about 14.3% from 2007. Motorists can dial 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627)and vehicles staffed with experienced uniformed METRO Police officers and Harris County Sheriff's Department deputies will offer assistance to drivers free of charge.
♦ In 2006, travel delays cost the Houston region $714 million. By actively managing traffic incidents and providing travel information to the public, Houston TranStar offset travel delays in the region by more than 12 million vehicle hours, for a monetary benefit of $228.8 million. The reduced travel time lowered fuel consumption by 22.7 million gallons, and produced additional savings of more than $57 million, which totaled $286 million in benefits to the region.
♦ TranStar's emergency management activities and warnings have significantly decreased the number of injuries, deaths, and extensive property damage caused by floods and other weather-related and/or man-made events.
♦ In 2010, Houston TranStar pioneered the use of traffic monitoring using Anonymous Wireless Address Matching (AWAM). AWAM currently uses anonymous addresses from Bluetooth
network devices to identify probes and calculate travel times and speeds on instrumented roadway segments. This innovation allows Houston TranStar to provide travel updates to drivers during daily commutes as well as in emergency evacuation situations.
♦ Also in 2010, TranStar increased its number of Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs), or traffic cameras, from 661 to 730. TranStar's traffic cameras provide valuable information to travelers in addition to other information displayed on the award-winning Website www.houstontranstar.org. The Website also offers a real-time traffic map with information on roadway speeds, lane closures, weather conditions, travel times, traffic incidents and more. Drivers have the convenience of viewing all CCTV images in snapshot form on TranStar's website.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
Region. TranStar provides management of the region’s transportation system and has evolved into a primary resource from which multiple state, county and local agencies respond to incidents and emergencies in Harris County, Texas and beyond. The TranStar partnership allows the agencies to pool their resources and find solutions for providing these services to the citizens of the region. The following agencies are currently part of the Houston TranStar partnership:
Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas. Its stated mission is to "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods" throughout the state...
Harris County, Texas
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is a major public transportation agency based in Houston . It operates bus, light rail, future commuter rail, and paratransit service in the city as well as most of Harris County...
City of Houston
Programs
Transportation ManagementHouston TranStar, a national leader in freeway incident management, uses state-of-the-art technologies to reduce congestion on major roadways. Monitoring traffic incidents with 730 regional Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs), staff at the TranStar center dispatch vehicles to remove debris or hazardous materials, communicate with emergency vehicles about the most direct routes to an accident scene, and send tow trucks to stalled vehicles. Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), deployed from Houston TranStar, inform travelers about expected travel times and traffic issues ahead. Synchronized traffic signals, speed sensors, Highway Advisory Radio, ramp meters and other devices also help keep the region’s traffic moving.
Emergency Management
When emergency conditions arise such as hurricanes, floods, industrial explosions or terrorist attacks, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Houston TranStar is activated. Representatives from all four collaborating agencies—as well as such diverse entities as the U.S. Army, Salvation Army, Harris County Toll Road Authority, Amateur Radio Operator volunteers, the American Red Cross, and area local governments—come together to coordinate a quick, effective response. The Automated Flood Warning System, Doppler Radar Imagery, Satellite Weather Maps, Road Flood Warning Systems and the Regional Incident Management System (RIMS) comprise some of the tools used to address the emergency.
SAFE Clear
Established by the City of Houston in 2005, SAFE Clear is a traffic incident management program intended to oversee tow operator response to freeway collisions. SAFE Clears goal is to reduce the occurrence of secondary crashes on freeways. In 2008, the average time from tow authorization to clearance was 18.8 minutes (down 3.9% below the 2007 average). The monthly average ranged from 13 minutes in May 2008 to 26 minutes in August 2008.
Motorist Assistance Program (MAP)
One of the most visible and convenient programs offered by Houston TranStar partnering agencies, Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) began in 1986 to aid motorists with minor automotive emergencies on freeways such as overheating, flat tires, and jump-starts. Since the program's inception, over 100,000 motorists have counted on MAP to get them back on the road. There were 36,511 road incidents managed by MAP in 2008, an increase of about 14.3% from 2007. Motorists can dial 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627)and vehicles staffed with experienced uniformed METRO Police officers and Harris County Sheriff's Department deputies will offer assistance to drivers free of charge.
Highlights
♦ TranStar’s transportation management activities have reduced the public’s travel times and fuel consumption (more than $1.6 billion saved since the program’s inception), and has lowered exhaust emissions (3,157 tons of hydrocarbons, 20,899 tons of carbon monoxide and 4,375 tons of nitrogen oxides).♦ In 2006, travel delays cost the Houston region $714 million. By actively managing traffic incidents and providing travel information to the public, Houston TranStar offset travel delays in the region by more than 12 million vehicle hours, for a monetary benefit of $228.8 million. The reduced travel time lowered fuel consumption by 22.7 million gallons, and produced additional savings of more than $57 million, which totaled $286 million in benefits to the region.
♦ TranStar's emergency management activities and warnings have significantly decreased the number of injuries, deaths, and extensive property damage caused by floods and other weather-related and/or man-made events.
♦ In 2010, Houston TranStar pioneered the use of traffic monitoring using Anonymous Wireless Address Matching (AWAM). AWAM currently uses anonymous addresses from Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
network devices to identify probes and calculate travel times and speeds on instrumented roadway segments. This innovation allows Houston TranStar to provide travel updates to drivers during daily commutes as well as in emergency evacuation situations.
♦ Also in 2010, TranStar increased its number of Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs), or traffic cameras, from 661 to 730. TranStar's traffic cameras provide valuable information to travelers in addition to other information displayed on the award-winning Website www.houstontranstar.org. The Website also offers a real-time traffic map with information on roadway speeds, lane closures, weather conditions, travel times, traffic incidents and more. Drivers have the convenience of viewing all CCTV images in snapshot form on TranStar's website.