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The plan’s objective is to deliver a safe, reliable and integrated transportation system by 2050. To achieve this, the department plans to use public input to develop strategic recommendations to address the state’s multimodal system’s safety, reliability and resiliency.
So, how does tech come into play? Below are several strategies and potential uses of technology outlined in the plan.
EMERGING TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES
Under this section, the plan states the department will “focus on transportation systems and management operations (TSMO), ITS (the state’s intelligent transportation system) and data collection and management-related strategies that improve the accessibility, affordability and adaptability of the Texas transportation system.”
Examples of this include developing organizational structures and workforce strategies to better support TSMO activities, consolidating traffic management centers to provide cost savings and improving regional ITS delivery.
MOBILITY STRATEGIES
This section focuses on using a combination of coordination and collaboration, analytical planning, project programming and TSMO strategies to increase the efficiency of existing infrastructure and add additional capacity where needed.
Examples include expanding performance-based, data-driven project prioritization, exploring the development of selection criteria that consider non-motorized travel benefits and expanding the use of active traffic management applications to reduce congestion.
PRESERVATION STRATEGIES
As the name suggests, this section focuses on preserving the state’s extensive system of pavement and bridges. To achieve this, TxDOT plans to leverage “innovative data collection and analysis methods” to monitor and develop ways to improve the system.
SAFETY STRATEGIES
This part of the plan aims to reduce traffic fatalities and improve transportation safety. As for how tech comes into play, a few initiatives include improving data systems and methods for targeting locations with a high probability of crashes, testing and implementing apps that encourage distraction-free driving and using data to optimize areas and times for enforcement.
OTHER NOTABLE TECH
Lastly, the plan mentions investing in ITS to improve TxDOT’s incident management, traffic control, emergency management and evacuation efforts. In this case, the department looks to deploy ITS technology in locations with repeated collisions and high congestion.
Examples of ITS devices include:
- Flood, ice and fog detection systems.
- Closed-loop, central and adaptive signal controls.
- Computer-aided dispatch for transit and emergency vehicles.
- Automatic vehicle location (AVL) devices and data terminals.
- Global positioning systems on buses.
- Mobile data terminals and AVL devices on transit and emergency vehicles.
- Wired (including fiber) and wireless (Wi-Fi and radio-based) communications.
- Warning systems (signal ahead, speed on curves and school zones).
