Programs
Jeffrey Weatherford, P.E., PTOE, Deputy Director
Congestion Mitigation Air Quality | Neighborhood Traffic Managment Program
Quiet Zones | Railroad Safety | School Coordination
Street Lighting | Traffic Signal Performance Improvement Program
Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Program
Administered by the ITS Operations & Miscellaneous Section at TranStar and overseen by Supervising Engineer Mike Wahl, CMAQ is a federally funded program stemming from the 1991 federal transportation bill. CMAQ's most recent enactment provides over $8.6 billion from 2005-2009 to state and local governments for investment in projects that reduce vehicle use or improve traffic flow, thereby mitigating transportation related emissions. TOD will program approximately $15 million in CMAQ funding in fiscal year 2008 for multiple projects that improve existing traffic signal operations or establish communications between traffic signals along major corridors throughout the city.
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP)
The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program is overseen by Senior Staff Analyst Gary Drabek at 611 Walker. NTMP address traffic related problems in residential neighborhoods, including excessive vehicular speed and cut-through traffic. The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program implements "traffic calming" measures, such as speed cushions, traffic circles, median islands, curb extensions, diversion techniques, etc. aimed at enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Applications for NTMP intervention may be made by one or more residents/ property owners and are reviewed by the Department to determine eligibility. Final plans require City Council approval. At this time there are no available funds for Neighborhood Traffic Management Program projects. We will contact you as soon as we are able to begin working on projects. We apologize for the delay this may cause you and your neighborhood.
NTMP Speed Control Application
Administered by the ITS Operations & Miscellaneous Section at 611 Walker and overseen by Senior Project Manager Katherine Parker, Quiet Zones are designated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Cities apply for this status after technical review by the operating railroads, the State, and any other affected stakeholders. The program is aimed at mitigating train horn noise in Houston neighborhoods. The program creates guidelines with which to review and consider the implementation of railroad quiet zones. Quiet Zones seeks to enhance/upgrade railroad crossing safety, allowing neighborhood residents to live without the disruption of passing train horns, thus improving the quality of life for those communities adjacent to railroad corridors. So far, there are 9 established Quiet Zones within the City of Houston. At this time there are no available funds for Quiet Zone projects; applicants will be notified of any future call for projects.
Administered by the ITS Operations & Miscellaneous Section at 611 Walker and overseen by Senior Project Manager Katherine Parker, the upcoming Railroad Safety Program will address the maintenance of signage and pavement markings at more than 740 railroad crossings within the City of Houston. Employees will perform field investigations to determine if maintenance at a particular crossing is necessary. Any issues related to the actual crossing will be reported to the responsible railroad company. The City will recommend a list of crossings annually to the Texas Department of Transportation's Federal Signal Program for improvements.
Administered by the ITS Operations & Miscellaneous Section at 611 Walker and overseen by Senior Project Manager Katherine Parker, the School Coordination Program manages traffic related issues near school campuses. The Area Programs Section coordinates the maintenance of school zone beacons, signage, and timing. Additionally, they address parking issues and traffic flow during take-up and dismissal times. Council approval is required when adding or removing school zones. To date, Traffic & Transportation services more than 660 schools in 12 different school districts.
Additional Information & Installation/Removal Requests
School Speed Zones Ordinance & List
Administered by the ITS Operations & Miscellaneous Section at 611 Walker and overseen by Senior Project Manager Patrick Nguyen, the City's Street Lighting Program personnel investigate, review plans, and approve requests for new street lights on public streets within Houston's municipal jurisdiction. TOD shares street lighting responsibilities with CenterPoint Energy. CenterPoint installs and maintains the wood & metal pole lights, while the City pays operating and maintenance expenses.
Additional Information & Survey Request Form
Click Here:to report Street Light Outages
Traffic Signal Performance Improvement Program (TSPIP)
Administered by the Signal Timing & Operations Section at Houston TranStar & overseen by Supervising Engineer Johana Clark, TSPIP is a multi-agency effort to minimize travel time & auto emissions through customized signal timing. Under TSPIP, signals along specific corridors are re-programmed in accordance with current traffic patterns, resulting in fewer stops and more efficient mobility.