ITS Environmental Sensors: The Houston Experience (7-3986-1)

While ice and snow may affect traffic only every few years in the Houston area, high water and winds from severe storms are more common. Twenty-nine environmental monitoring stations placed at strategic locations on freeways, frontage roads, HOV lanes, and arterial streets will provide advanced warning to government agencies and the traveling public when adverse weather conditions, especially high water, affect travel conditions. The sensor network is based on a similar system operated by Harris County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) that monitors stream and bayou water levels. When the system fully matures, it will be integrated into the traffic management center's control room floor. The system is based on proven technology, and it works well. This project documents the system's capabilities, types of flooding, flood events, and equipment reliability. In addition, an evaluation of the motorist's understanding of the flood warning signs and of the delay impacts of a flood closure was conducted. Some of the most important aspects of the system are the way the storm events are handled, which is guided by the operations plan. Both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance is a key in operating a real-time environmental monitoring system. And the evolution of the system provides opportunities to change and advance the flow of information to public agencies and the traveling public so they can make informed decisions related to all aspects of transportation and mobility.