San Marcos Record, San Marcos, TX

Local News

July 25, 2007

A little big brother, a little youtube

Technology to be focused on IH-35

By Anita Miller

San Marcos — New roads are still coming and commuter rail remains on the table to deal with the explosion of traffic expected along the IH-35 corridor in the not-so-distant future.

Although it's not as bright and shiny, old standby IH-35 hasn't been forgotten by state transportation authorities who want to help drivers deal with congestion and delays.

By this time next year, there should be significant improvements to the flow of traffic and the solution doesn’t even involve heavy construction.

Instead, it's technology to the rescue, a little bit of big brother mixed in with a little youtube.

According to the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council’s Transportation Task Force, the plan centers on a series of changeable message boards, radar traffic sensors and closed circuit TV cameras that will allow state transportation officials and local law enforcement to respond to and quickly clear any problems that arise.

The message boards and monitoring devices would be installed along north and south bound lanes from Slaughter Creek to Schertz, providing “seamless video” of the corridor, said Brian Burilla of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Trouble along the interstate translates into traffic delays and that in turn leads to drivers wasting both time and fuel, Burilla said. However, with the continuous video monitoring motorists could be warned in advance and given information on available alternative routes in time to take them.

“We will be giving the public the information before they begin to travel and while they’re on IH-35,” Burilla said.

Video from the cameras would not be used for speed enforcement but could be shared with law enforcement agencies and the media. The system would also be made available in real time on the Internet.

Burilla said newer models of both the dynamic signs and monitoring devices are both less expensive and not as heavy as previous ones, meaning they can be installed on existing infrastructure.

To make the system work, the task force called for greater communication between TxDOT districts and law enforcement agencies. For example, the line dividing TxDOT’s Austin and San Antonio districts is at the Comal/Hays county line. “But that’s not relevant to the driving public,” Burilla said.

The plan also calls for the development of a uniform set of guidelines and procedures for emergency responders in the area to follow in managing corridor incidents.

The project is expected to cost $4.7 million.

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