In Houston, U.S., our tolling business TransCore and Houston METRO are implementing a smarter and safer approach to High Occupancy Vehicle and High Occupancy Toll Lane operations. Integrating TransCore’s advanced traffic management system, the Automated Reversible Gate Operations (ARGO) system automates and streamlines lane management across Houston’s five major commuter corridors, enhancing operational efficiency and safety for Houston METRO.
Long regarded as one of the most congested urban areas in the United States, Greater Houston has experienced significant population growth in recent years. In 2024, with the region’s population surging and office commutes rebounding, Houston saw a 25% jump in downtown traffic, compounding strain on already congested roadways.
With road infrastructure stretched to its limits, Houston needed to reimagine its transportation system and network.
To effectively manage peak-hour traffic flows into and out of the urban core, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) took a creative approach and partnered with TransCore to implement reversible High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes to streamline traffic into the city in the morning and out in the evening. These lanes are managed by TransCore’s Automated Reversible Gate Operations (ARGO) system.
Reversible HOV and HOT lanes are special traffic lanes that change direction based on traffic flow, prioritising high-occupancy vehicles (HOV) while also allowing solo drivers to use them for a fee (HOT). These lanes play a critical role in Houston’s transportation network by maximising roadway capacity and reducing congestion during peak travel times.
Previously dependent on manual gate operation and static signage, Houston’s commuter corridors posed safety risks and operational inefficiencies. The legacy central software, installed in 2012, was nearing end of life and required technicians to perform manual lane reversals with limited real-time visibility for operators. Without integrated controls and automated timing, lane management was cumbersome and inconsistent, making the system increasingly unsustainable as traffic demands evolved.
In early 2025, TransCore upgraded the ARGO system, deploying a highly automated solution to streamline reversible lane operations across five of Houston’s busiest corridors. At the heart of this transformation is TransCore’s TransSuite® advanced traffic management system (ATMS). Through a single operator-initiated command, a series of coordinated actions are automated and streamlined via TransSuite. These include gate movements, dynamic traveller messaging, direction reversal, lane reopening, CCTV activation and safety checks.
TransSuite allows METRO to manage traffic patterns dynamically and remotely to improve operational consistency and reduce risk for commuters. The result is a faster, more efficient commute for thousands of drivers and a scalable model for smart urban mobility.
For over a decade, TransCore has partnered with Houston’s transportation agencies to deliver advanced tolling and traffic management solutions. The enhanced ARGO system marks a major step forward in Houston’s infrastructure modernisation efforts, demonstrating how the use of advanced intelligent traffic technology not only reduces congestion and enhances safety but also offers scalable models for other metro areas seeking similar efficiencies.
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