30 Years of Keeping Texas Moving
Houston TranStar uses technology and teamwork to manage traffic, respond to incidents, and keep Southeast Texas safe 24/7.
For 30 years, Houston TranStar has combined innovation, technology and collaboration to improve mobility and enhance safety across Southeast Texas. From advanced traffic monitoring systems to rapid incident response programs, Houston TranStar continues to lead with forward-thinking solutions that keep our region moving safely and efficiently 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2024 alone, Houston TranStar staff monitored and quickly coordinated responses for over 118,700 incidents that affected freeway traffic!
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Houston TranStar’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) form the backbone of our real-time traffic management network. Inside the Traffic Management Center (TMC), staff monitor over 1,500 CCTV cameras and manage nearly 400 Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) placed across freeways and major roadways. These tools allow operators to quickly detect incidents, assess roadway conditions and provide real-time warnings about crashes, construction, severe weather and travel times.
Using Bluetooth travel time technology, Houston TranStar measures roadway performance anonymously to monitor speeds and manage congestion, especially along critical evacuation routes to San Antonio and Dallas. Central to this operation is the Regional Incident Management System (RIMS), a shared data platform that allows partner agencies to log, track and coordinate incident response instantly. Together, these technologies help reduce delays, prevent secondary crashes and save drivers millions of hours each year.
Houston TranStar also supports emerging safety technologies, such as Wrong Way Detection Systems, which alert drivers entering freeways incorrectly and immediately alert Houston TranStar staff, who then notify law enforcement and post warnings on area DMS to prevent dangerous collisions.
Tow and Go Program
Quick clearance saves lives. The Gulf Coast Regional Tow and Go Program is designed to rapidly remove disabled vehicles from freeways at no cost, reducing congestion and minimizing the risk of secondary crashes. Using live camera verification, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Incident Management Unit authorizes vetted tow operators to quickly clear stalled vehicles, often in about 16 minutes.
In 2024, Tow and Go provided nearly 40,000 assists, demonstrating the power of coordinated, real-time response. By clearing roadways quickly and safely, the program restores traffic flow, reduces fuel waste and protects motorists across the region. To learn more about the Tow and Go Program, visit www.towandgo.com or call 713-881-3333 for roadside assistance.
Motorist Assistance Program (MAP)
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) provides free roadside assistance to stranded drivers on area freeways. Dispatched directly from the TMC, MAP units assist with minor mechanical issues, provide traffic control at incident scenes and help keep drivers safe until further assistance arrives.
Working closely with other law enforcement and transportation partners, MAP plays a critical role in incident management. In 2024, MAP trucks assisted 28,660 motorists, helping reduce delays and prevent dangerous secondary crashes. This boots-on-the-ground service reflects Houston TranStar’s commitment not only to mobility, but to the safety and well-being of every traveler on Southeast Texas roadways. For MAP assistance, call 713-225-5627.
