Traffic Management Branch
Khang M. Nguyen, P.E., PTOE, Assistant Director
The Traffic Management Branch is responsible for performing engineering studies, plan reviews, & field investigations related to traffic safety, traffic counts, street lighting, school zones, speed humps, railroad safety & quiet zones, view obstructions, neighborhood cut-through traffic, and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. This branch also manages street and lane closure permits, develops general speed & school zone ordinances, and coordinates with HPD to help alleviate traffic congestion hot spots under the Mobility Response Team (MRT). Additionally, the Traffic Management Branch performs various functions relating to system operations, including signal design, modifications & timing, and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) development. The branch is governed by Chapter 15 of the Department of Public Works & Engineering's Infrastructure Design Manual.
ITS Operations | Mobility Permitting | Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
Plan Review | Safety | Signal Timing & Operations | Traffic Studies
Michael Wahl, P.E., PTOE - Supervising Engineer
Responsible for the operations and maintenance of all Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) devices as well as the traffic communication network that links the ITS devices with the operations center at Houston TranStar. Current ITS devices include Bluetooth Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) system, midblock count stations, and communication network of fiber optic cables and WiMAX antennas. The system will be expanded in 2016 to include 91 arterial dynamic message signs, 113 CCTV cameras, and 144 mid-block traffic count stations. The complete system will provide corridor travel times and suggest alternative travel routes in real-time.
Kerry Parker – Senior Project Manager
Oversees Lane & Street Closures, Sidewalk Closures, and Sidewalk Cafés, and Curb Painting.
The mobility permit system portal provides the City of Houston with the ability to manage city streets and sidewalks during public and private construction. If you are a contractor that may require temporary use of city streets or sidewalks during construction, please read our FAQ prior to applying for a permit. The mobility permit portal also serves to manage sidewalk café permits.
For permit applications, visit the Permit System Portal and click on Mobility Permit System to begin using the new online permit system. From here you will be able to obtain a user name and password by creating a user profile. Please fax or email your updated insurance to 832.395.3057 or mobilitypermits@houstontx.gov after registration so that we may update your profile. Permit status updates will be sent to you via email. If required to pay a fee, the email will contain a link to pay for permits online using your credit card or e-check. A valid email address is required for you to receive notifications from the City.
Permit System Portal (Online Applications)
Mobility Permit Information
- Mobility Permitting FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Sidewalk and Roadway Obstructions and Impairments Ordinance
- Sidewalk and Roadway Obstructions and Impairments Ordinance - Rules & Regulations
- Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance
For more information, contact us by email mobilitypermits@houstontx.gov or phone (832.395.3020) during hours of operation, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30 pm.
For information regarding other permits, see our FAQ & Partnered Links page.
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
Gary Drabek – Senior Staff Analyst
Oversees applications/ investigations/ approvals for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP), which utilizes traffic calming measures along residential streets with excessive vehicular speeds and cut-through traffic.
Additional information and applications for NTMP can be found on our Programs page and Documents & Applications page.
T. Rebagay, P.E. - Supervising Engineer
Reviews all construction plans from a traffic engineering perspective, such as the need for traffic signs, pavements markings, and traffic control. This section also provides plan review for relevant Capital Improvement Projects.
Street Lighting Section
Martin M. Herrera – Senior Project Manager
Responsible for the operations of street lights on thoroughfares as well as local streets. Essential functions of the section include:
- Review and approve street light design by CIP projects, private developments, and other agency partners •
- Process and investigate citizen’s requests for street lights, and coordinate with CenterPoint for installation
- Establish guidelines and standards for street light design and analysis
To request street light(s) on a local residential street, complete and submit the application which can be found here.
School Zone/Railroad Safety Section
Katherine Parker – Senior Project Manager
Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of quiet zones and school zones as well as coordinating with agency partners to improve the safety of railroad crossings. Essential functions of the section include:
- Process and investigate requests to add/remove school zones, operate and maintain existing 1500 school zones
- Collaborate with schools to improve traffic circulation and safety in school vicinity
- Administer requests for quiet zones (a.k.a. ‘no train horns’ zones)
Application for school zone installation can be found here, and for quiet zone establishment can be found here.
Ian Hlavacek, P.E. – Supervising Engineer
Responsible for various traffic safety initiatives, including the safety prioritation of signalized intersections, non-signalized intersections, and midblock locations, as well as proposing countermeasures for prioritized locations. Countermeasures include upgrades to signing, pavement markings, signal operation, intersection design, etc.
This section also examines improvements to pedestrian safety, conducts speed surveys and traffic count studies (including Turning Movement Counts and Average Daily Traffic, or ADT), and coordinates with various entities on relevant Capital Improvement Projects. Administers various complex engineering studies, including Access Management and review of Signal Warrant Analyses and Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) reports.