Houston TranStar Expansion

In 2015, TranStar completed a $12.2 million, 26,000 square foot expansion and 11,000 square foot renovation, enhancing its ability to incorporate additional stakeholders into regional emergency response efforts, creating greater capacity for new technologies, and enriching communication to the public. Expanded and renovated areas include:
  Conference Center
  • 4,470 square foot multi-media conference center and adjoining lobby
  • Emergency response hub during an emergency when essential staff is required around the clock
  • Dormitory-style facilities under emergency activation
  • Training/meeting space for partner and civic groups of up to 250 attendees under normal operations
  Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
  • Interagency coordination site for all levels of incident response and recovery
  • 10 command and 88 partner workstations
  • 24-hour situational awareness during emergencies and homeland security issues
  • Wall-to-wall media LED-monitoring to better view and efficiently respond to events
  • Latest technology to support ongoing situational awareness, teleconferencing, and communications
  Regional Joint Information Center
  • Regional hub for creating and releasing emergency communications to the public via media outlets and social media
  • Multi-media monitoring and communications capabilities
  • Voice multiplier for surrounding jurisdictions and agencies
  Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Communications Center
  • Doubled capacity for amateur radio operations should cell phones, land lines, Internet, and other communication systems fail
  • Allocated communications space for stakeholders such as the American Red Cross, United States Coast Guard, FBI, Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC), Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), and FEMA
  • Enhanced training space to expand pool of operators required for an emergency
  500-foot Communications Tower
  • Multiple-antennae structure to enhance communication capacities
  • Radio communications for partner agency networks
  • Helicopter video linkage for law enforcement use
  • Redundant autonomous public safety communications, acting as entry point for amateur radio operations for voice, video, and data communications
  Central Lobby Expansion
  • New media workspace with desks and wireless connections for use during an emergency
  • Real-time Spanish translation system and adjacent translation booth
  Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) for METRO and TxDOT
  • Dedicated METRO and TxDOT EOCs with elevated view of TranStar Transportation Control Room during emergency activations