A STAR WAS BORN To be a star is a dream of many. Ask a group of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo fans to identify the biggest star of the Show, and you likely will spark a spirited debate. But ask Rodeo Express Committee members that question, and their answer might be "TranStar." You see, there is a big-name star other than the talent that takes to the arena each year. It is a behind-the-scenes traffic mobility system known as TranStar. The star of Houston's traffic control, TranStar is a unique collaborative effort of four governmental agencies designed to aid traffic control and to implement transportation plans. Instead of working separately, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), the City of Houston and Harris County teamed up in 1995 to develop TranStar and its many advanced traffic-management programs. TranStar is operated from a $13.5 million, 52,000-square-foot facility located near downtown Houston off Old Katy Road. It is one of the first high-tech transportation management centers to open in the United States. Part of TranStar's mission, according to METRO Captain Tim Kelly, is to improve traffic control for special events. As we all know, the Show is a very special event. Controlling traffic for the world's largest rodeo, TranStar assists nearly 2 million visitors annually. "Rodeo traffic is especially challenging because of the carnival, livestock loading and [number of] committeemen," explained Kelly. "With all of this on-site, you simply don't have the same number of parking spaces, which makes the transit element so important." In fact, legend has it that TranStar was born out of a Dome traffic jam -- a jam that forced former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier to leave his limousine and hoof it to an Oilers' game in time for kickoff. Meanwhile, his wife, Elyse, held her horses but did not reach her seat until the second quarter. The following Monday, as the story goes, Lanier initiated studies to address traffic congestion around the Dome during special events. From this, a star was born, and, today, TranStar benefits the Show in many ways. In general, the coordinated transit management program helps to reduce traffic congestion during the Show. From the impressive TranStar facility, all four member agencies work together to operate several different traffic-management systems. At center stage is a contemporary command center, designed by the Lockheed Martin Corporation, from which TranStar monitors traffic mobility and responds immediately to traffic incidents. Kelly explained that "all the people that need to be able to respond to freeway problems around the Dome are sitting in one room together." This includes Metro Traffic and Shadow Traffic Control, two private reporting services that broadcast Rodeo traffic updates through local media.
A tremendous benefit of TranStar for the Show is the on-site operation. During the Show, a satellite transportation center is located in an inconspicuous gray building near the Rodeo Express bus tent. From there, METRO police view the area using remote cameras and respond immediately to traffic congestion. Of the nearly 190 TranStar video cameras mounted above Houston freeways to monitor traffic, 10 of these are located in the Dome area. According to METRO Police Sgt. Mike Riggs, who operates the command center during the Show, "TranStar has cut down on the time it takes to identify and clear up accidents around the Dome." Before TranStar, police would learn of accidents in the area via hand-held radios and send a motorcycle officer weaving through traffic to investigate. Additional assistance was provided only after an on-site report. But with TranStar on-site, Riggs can use the video cameras to zoom in on an incident and immediately send all assistance required to clear up the situation. Every minute counts, according to Riggs. Studies by traffic engineers have found that for every minute a roadway is blocked it takes five minutes to recover. Reaction time is key for Rodeo Express, as well. Before TranStar, it took longer to identify a problem, such as a bus stuck in traffic, and initiate contingency plans. When it can take up to an hour to call in extra buses for service, several hundred or even thousands of people can stack up in line. Having TranStar on-site has helped to trim reaction time. According to Rodeo Express Committee Chairman John Sandling, "Up-to-the-minute traffic updates are very useful, because they help us dynamically re-route buses." The on-site system also is used to update the giant, changeable-message signs. These signs along the routes leading to the Dome are used to alert rodeo goers to upcoming traffic congestion and direct fans to the best route for reaching the Dome. TranStar is even galloping down the information superhighway. A real-time, color-coded speed map accessed through TranStar's Web site: traffic.tamu.edu allows one to check out traffic congestion prior to heading out to the Show. EZ-Tag vehicle detectors are used to measure roadway speed, occupancy and flow. Based on these measurements, the colored map changes from green to orange to red in order to alert motorists of trouble spots. TranStar is continuing to build aggressively on its success by looking to the future and examining transit-management systems that will carry it far into the 21st century. Such systems as remote-controlled traffic signals and instantaneous right-of-way signaling for buses to preempt red lights are in the works. A "smart commuter" system that could go as far as sending an e-mail message to all committee volunteers concerning the best route to the Show is not out of reach. Sandling is looking forward to the "Smart Bus," which will enable Rodeo Express to further reduce reaction time by automatically collecting and transmitting current bus data such as location and trip travel time. It has been said that a sign of a celebrity is that his name is often worth more than his services -- but not so with TranStar. TranStar is a star simply because of the services it provides to the Show. TranStar's traffic-management plans, video cameras and computerized traffic systems have moved rodeo traffic management to what it is today -- a star operation designed to carry you along "happy trails" to and from the Show.
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