Keeping a Close Eye on
Traffic for Police
Increases in Traffic Volume Impedes Mobility in Uptown Houston:
As one of the nation’s largest suburban business districts, Uptown Houston Development Authority (Uptown Houston) encompasses more than 23 million square feet of office space, 5 million square feet of retail, 6,200 hotel rooms, 30,000 residences, 100 restaurants and 200,000 office workers and shoppers daily. As a result, area growth and the accompanying traffic have been on the rise for years. Looking ahead, projections from the Texas Department of Transportation indicated that Uptown Houston would experience rapidly changing traffic patterns based on future construction around this area. To add to the challenge, there was no formal system in place to respond to incidents.
Growth, Construction and Lack of Response System Create Unique Challenges:
When the Uptown Houston sought a system to improve mobility and address increasing traffic volumes and changing traffic patterns in the community, it engaged a Texas CEC firm to assist in developing a master plan. Important components of the plan included a video traffic surveillance system that monitors critical intersections and thoroughfares, allowing officers to be more focused on real-time incident management. The firm engineered a system that, for the very first time, was used in a dense, urban-scale business center, and deployed entirely on private property.
Wireless Technology and Video Surveillance Reduce Delays:
The implemented system demonstrates that wireless technology and video surveillance can work together in an urban business district to effectively improve mobility. The project design process defined a new approach – that management or special districts with a focus on improving mobility can implement an effective traffic video surveillance system, reduce incident response times and reduce delay in a dense urban environment. As a result of this new approach, thenumber of major incidents has been reduced more than 70% over the course of recent years.
Trusted Engineering Partner Delivers Value:
Another case study of a Texas CEC member applying its
expertise and judgment to the specialized need of an individual client to assure a finished project reflecting quality and value.
*The engineering services expense of a construction project typically is one of its
least costly components. Yet that independent disciple is critical in controlling
overall cost and quality. Trust (Look to) the engineering company professionals
to assure quality and true bottom line value in construction.