It used to be that the solution to practically every transportation problem was to build, build, build. As more drivers took to the road, testing the system’s limits, we mainly added more capacity to address those needs. Some good things came out of this approach, notably the Interstate Highway System, which encouraged urbanization and spurred […]
Texas Transportation Researcher
10 Ways TTI Initiatives Support the Environment
Vegetation Management The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) conducts research into various roadside applications to provide sponsors with a more diverse set of tools and options to ensure a more sustainable roadside environment. Areas researched include water harvesting applications, grass communities and their successional processes, improved vegetation through soil restoration using compost and other organic materials, […]
TTI Brings the Green Indoors
The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) is known for leading the charge in solving all types of transportation problems. Over the last few years, TTI has developed a reputation as an environmentally conscious organization — and not just through its “green” research. In 2005, the agency implemented its Energy Management and Conservation Plan, which guides the […]
Enhancing Transportation in National Parks and Gateway Communities
Since they preserve the country’s natural beauty and heritage, many people would agree with Director Ken Burns that the National Parks are “America’s Best Idea.” The parks and their nearby communities — called gateway communities — have a symbiotic relationship. The communities rely heavily on tourist dollars generated by the parks, while the parks depend […]
TTI MOVES Emissions Estimates Forward
Change can be difficult…but it doesn’t have to be. Given that we live in the Information Age, change involving software can be the most painful of all — just ask Microsoft. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses software to enforce the Clean Air Act, which restricts certain pollutants found in urban areas with heavy traffic. […]
DARTing through downtown Dallas
Amid much excitement, the first section of Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART‘s) newest line, the Green line, opened on September 14, 2009. The Green line joins DART‘s successful light rail network that also includes the Red and Blue lines. Along with excitement, the Green line brings a challenge to the entire DART network — an […]
TTI and A&M study mobility in border colonia
It makes sense — more densely packed people cause more congestion, which reduces mobility, increases pollution and poses a greater challenge to safety. But sometimes that means mobility research can overlook smaller, less-affluent communities. To try and balance that equation, Texas A&M University and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) studied mobility in the border colonia […]
Landmark study shows tradition of expertise at TTI — the need for intercity rail
Then In the 1970s, the governor of Texas and State Legislature asked the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) to evaluate rail for intercity travel. Below is an abridged version of the article published on this study in the April 1977 issue of the Texas Transportation Researcher. Historical Overview of Rail in Texas In the early 1800s […]
Crash course in transit safety
When Houston’s light-rail transit system, METRORail, opened on January 1, 2004, the city welcomed its first on-street rail system in 64 years. The system opened to great excitement. However, concern accompanied the excitement with an unexpectedly high rate of motor vehicle collisions with METRORail vehicles during the first month of rail service. This led to […]
The business of rail: TxDOT examines their role in rail projects
The Texas population is expected to more than double by the year 2030, which may lead some to wonder just how our already congested metropolitan area roadways will handle the load. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is challenged with meeting the mobility needs of the growing population. With the help of a recently completed […]
To toll or not to toll?: TTI examines the question
With states increasingly considering tolls as a means to finance transportation infrastructure, there is a growing need to quickly assess the feasibility of potential tolling projects. Toll roads and managed toll lanes, such as high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, can alleviate congestion and offer a convenient alternative for road users. However, such tolled facilities must first […]
Life in the HOT Lane
Despite the leveling off of traffic congestion as reported in the 2009 Urban Mobility Report, published by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and discussed in this issue, the average traveler still needs 25 percent more time for trips. Like their constituencies, local communities are stretching their traveling dollars further during difficult economic times. One way […]
Life in the HOT Lane
Despite the leveling off of traffic congestion as reported in the 2009 Urban Mobility Report, published by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and discussed in this issue, the average traveler still needs 25 percent more time for trips. Like their constituencies, local communities are stretching their traveling dollars further during difficult economic times. One way […]
The Future of Rail in Texas
Volume 45, Number 3 (2009) Adobe PDF version Inside This Issue: Editorial The Lone Star City, 2030 Tolling Life in the HOT Lane To toll or not to toll?: TTI examines the question Light and Commuter Rail The business of rail: TxDOT examines their role in rail projects Crash course in transit safety Intercity Rail: […]
The Lone Star City, 2030
Sixty years and more than $1.8 trillion have given our country the world’s most advanced highway and aviation systems. With more paved lane-miles and bridges than any other state, and airports rivaling the best in the world, Texas’ unprecedented mobility today fosters more economic firepower than that of most states and many countries. But federal […]
Available reports and products
Technical Reports “Analysis and Integration of Spatial Data for Transportation Planning,” by Stephen Sebesta, 0-6071-1, September 15, 2009. “Analysis of Roadside Safety Devices for Use on Very High-Speed Roadways,” by Nauman Sheikh, 0-5696-1, July 23, 2009. “Capacity and Road User Cost Analysis of Selected Freeway Work Zones in Texas,” by Darrell Borchardt, 0-5619-1, September 15, […]
Awards and more
Communications staff designs motorcycle safety trailer The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) showed off its eye-catching, mobile motorcycle training unit at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) in July as board members of the Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition held a meeting at the Institute. The mobile classroom is part of the DPS Motorcycle Safety Training […]
Out of Harm’s Way
Permeable friction courses improve safety on the road The difference is dramatic. After a downpour, one pavement sprays water everywhere, obscuring the vision of motorists and making it harder for them to steer. On the other pavement — hardly a whisper of water comes off the roadway. The latter pavement has a permeable friction course […]
Urban Mobility Report highlights rare congestion decline
Fuel prices that began rising at the end of 2007 helped ease the nation’s congestion slightly, according to the Texas Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Urban Mobility Report, released on July 8. The popular report found that, as a result, time wasted for the average commuter was cut by about one hour. Even so, most rush-hour travelers […]
Awards and More
TTI Cited for Employee Support Research Technician Lee Gustavus and Agency Director Dennis Christiansen were recognized by the National Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) during a ceremony June 26. Research Associate Chip Sosa, who is a member of the Texas Army National Guard, nominated Gustavus and TTI for the […]