Research and Implementation Division

Provide practical traffic systems management and operations, planning, safety and utility engineering solutions to transportation partners through innovative research and technology.

What We Do

Listen and Explore

We listen to your needs and explore potential causes and solutions to transportation problems.

Evaluate

We use state-of-the-art tools and techniques to evaluate and assess the research problem through solid, unbiased testing designs.

Innovate

We are continually innovating, taking known applied engineering applications and making improvements to fit the sponsors’ specific needs and context.

Inform and Educate

We are skilled communicators relaying complex, difficult topics into easy-to-understand language, and many experts also educate the adult workforce through formal training programs.

A woman holding papers and a man in a safety vest and helmet stand outdoors; the man points toward an area in the field.

Our Focus Areas

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Improving traffic management systems by using data collection, analytics and system response to enhance operational efficiency, safety and situational awareness.

Connected Autonomous Vehicles

Innovating how vehicles and roadside infrastructure collect and share information to improve operational efficiency and reduce crashes.

Utility Engineering

Improving accuracy and efficiency of utility engineered corridors to deliver projects with less time delays.

Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs)

Innovating use of UASs for inspection, investigation and maintenance applications.

Mobility Coordination

Improving communication and coordination between owner and contractor with affected stakeholders.

Hurricane Evacuation

Improving planning for critical life-saving evacuation response.

Statewide Traffic Data Collection and Analysis

Improving the selection of sites and processes that review, validate, analyze and forecast traffic data.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning

Innovating the use of AI and machine learning to uncover relationships in crash data, identify errors in construction plans, and leverage cloud data to improve traffic operations.

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)

Innovating use of LiDAR in construction work zones to protect worker safety and reduce motorist crashes.

Wrong Way Driving Countermeasures

Improving countermeasures that reduce or eliminate the risk of crashes from wrong way drivers.

Our Work

Houston TranStar

TTI plays a key role in the design, development and operation of the systems powering Houston TranStar, the region’s multi-agency transportation and emergency management center. In partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and other TranStar agencies, TTI integrates and manages real-time data from traffic sensors, cameras, message signs, incident reports and crowdsourced sources. This supports traffic operations and public-facing services. The Houston TranStar website and the TranStar mobile app deliver this information directly to the public and have earned national recognition from the Federal Highway Administration and others as models for real-time traffic information delivery. TranStar also provides data-sharing tools that help agencies and developers access real-time data, supporting regional coordination and innovation. These capabilities help reduce delays and fuel use, saving Houston-area travelers hundreds of millions annually. Additionally, TTI leads the preparation of an annual assessment of the benefits of the facility in collaboration with partner agencies to highlight shared accomplishments.

Multiple cars are driving and stopped at a busy city intersection with traffic lights and trees lining both sides of the street.

Integrating Crowdsource Data

TxDOT’s Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) play a significant role in incident management, emphasizing efficient incident detection, coordination and information dissemination. To enhance situational awareness, the Dallas District incorporated crowdsourced data from Waze into its DalTrans TMC operations in 2021. TTI was asked to conduct an evaluation comparing Waze data to equivalent TMC events over six weeks on six different facilities. The analysis revealed that Waze users detected more crashes and road hazards faster than TMC operators. The lessons learned from the Dallas pilot integration are now being applied to other TMCs across Texas.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Improve Construction Project Accuracy

AI has advanced rapidly over the past decade, significantly enhancing its capabilities in data analysis and decision support. In construction project planning, identifying potential change orders or missing work items has traditionally depended on manual review and the engineer’s individual experience — an approach that can be inconsistent, especially with complex projects or limited experience.

To address this challenge, a new AI-driven tool is being developed to automatically identify work items that are likely to be omitted or modified before construction begins. Using techniques like case-based reasoning and natural language processing, the tool aims to improve project scope accuracy, reduce budget overruns and enhance outcomes.

This initiative is funded by TxDOT’s Austin, San Antonio and Waco Districts. These districts are contributing historical project design data and providing expert feedback to refine the tool. Designed as a web-based application, the tool ensures users always access the most up-to-date version, promoting consistency and ease of use across all TxDOT districts.

Characterization of Aboveground and Underground Infrastructure

TTI is leading the use of low-cost UASs, mobile devices and a suite of external low-cost global navigation satellite system antennas to support a wide range of data collection activities, including construction and utility inspections. These tools are transforming how DOTs gather information throughout the project delivery process. TTI is also advancing research on geophysical techniques — such as magnetics, time-domain electromagnetic induction and multi-channel ground penetrating radar — to map underground utilities. This includes pioneering AI training and testing using high-performance computing to develop 3D interpretations and analyses of subsurface infrastructure.

Roadway Flood Warning System

TTI and the Houston TranStar partners — including TxDOT and the Harris County Flood Control District — developed and implemented an award-winning roadway flood warning system. Using sensor and weather data from hundreds of locations, the system identifies when flooding thresholds are exceeded and alerts travelers to potential hazards. Initially launched on the Houston TranStar website, which reaches 850,000 unique visitors monthly and saw over three million during Hurricane Harvey, the system now covers the entire Texas Gulf Coast and is integrated into DriveTexas.org. TTI is currently working with TxDOT to expand the system statewide, improving flood preparedness and traveler safety across Texas.

Dallas County Sheriff Courtesy Patrol Management Software

TTI developed a web-based tool for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office to streamline how courtesy patrollers, dispatchers and managers record and manage traffic incident assists. The tool displays a live area map with incidents reported by dispatchers. Patrollers can accept assists from dispatch or log new ones they encounter in the field. To complete an assist, users select required details from dropdown menus to ensure accuracy and consistency, with optional fields for comments and further explanation. Photos can be attached to document unusual conditions, gas receipts or vehicle information.

Dispatchers can monitor all active and completed assists in real time and enter new incidents from phone calls, radio reports or TxDOT’s CCTV network. They can also close assists on behalf of patrollers if needed. Managers have access to customizable reporting features, enabling quick, accurate assessments of performance and easy generation of required reports.

Dallas District Speed Zone Dashboard (Coming July 2025)

TxDOT’s Dallas Speed Zone Dashboard aims to provide engineers and planners with map-based information to more effectively and efficiently manage the district’s speed zones. It currently features two primary datasets: 1) segments, which include speed zone and school zone speed limits, study date and route information; and 2) stations, which include key speed measurements such as 85th percentile and top speeds in both directions, along with route information. These layers offer a comprehensive view of the speed zone environment, enabling more informed analysis and decision-making. Users can use built-in filters to visualize applicable speed zones or stations by year, highways or county. Researchers are also developing new datasets to flag discrepancies between posted and operating speeds, helping prioritize areas for follow-up studies.

Access Management System

The Laredo Access Management System (AMT) is a tool that will track the process of requesting, reviewing and approving permits to construct access driveway facilities on highway right of way at the Laredo District. AMT will ease the interaction between the staff of the Laredo District and the users who request these permits. AMT will also keep track of dates, document submittals, updates, statuses and other activities related to the requests of permits. AMT will serve as a replacement for a variety of procedures that are not managed by a TxDOT business application, such as requesting permits via an online form. The system aims to improve workflows, enhance transparency and make it easier to track and query permit data.

Sign Design Tool (Coming Soon)

The Corpus Christi District is developing a sign inventory database as part of a broader effort to modernize its regular (non-emergency) sign replacement process. Central to this effort is the Corpus Christi Sign Design Tool (SDT), which is currently being tested by district staff. SDT is designed to track the full lifecycle of sign design and replacement activities—from initial requests by maintenance staff to key dates, decisions and communications among stakeholders. The tool captures milestones, document submissions and other related tasks, creating a centralized record for each request. In addition to improving process transparency and consistency, SDT will allow users to query and access information easily and generate project management reports based on a variety of attributes.