TDOT Commissioner Opens New Transportation Management Center in Chattanooga

Chattanooga – Motorists in the Chattanooga area now have more options available to help them get around in the Scenic City. 

 

Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer, along with other state and local officials, officially opened today Chattanooga’s new Transportation Management Center (TMC), which will use cutting edge technology to monitor traffic trouble spots and keep drivers up to date on the latest roadway conditions.

 

From the TMC in Enterprise South Industrial park, TDOT personnel can monitor 71 SmartWay traffic cameras located along the area’s most heavily-traveled corridors. In addition, they have access to 16 Dynamic Message Signs, 175 speed/congestion monitoring stations to spot traffic flow interruptions and a city-wide highway advisory radio station broadcasting on AM 1620. 

 

The system is specifically designed to keep Chattanooga motorists informed about road conditions by providing up-to-the-minute traffic information to help drivers avoid problems on the road. 

 

“TDOT’s first TMC started in Knoxville while I was mayor, and we quickly became accustomed to the real time information to help us get around our growing city,” Gov. Haslam said. “It is exciting to see this technology now available in Chattanooga allowing TDOT to communicate directly with more motorists and help them make more informed decisions as they travel Tennessee’s roadways.”

 

The new system also helps TDOT officials monitor traffic flow and respond quickly to problems on the road.

 

“Widening our roadways cannot be the only option for improving traffic flow in urban areas,” said Commissioner Schroer. “The SmartWay systems in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis have made big differences in reducing congestion and I know this system will have a positive impact for commuters here in Chattanooga.”

 

According to Schroer, TDOT SmartWay has the potential to add 15 - 30% capacity to the interstate system without widening the roadway. The total cost of the project is $28.9 million dollars.  The TMC is now able to monitor 74 miles of interstate with this system.

 

Anyone can access the traffic camera images by visiting the TDOT SmartWay website. Smart phone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes. In addition, Chattanooga television stations also have access to live feeds from the TDOT SmartWay cameras.

 

TDOT’s SmartWay system was first implemented in Nashville on June 12, 2003, then in Knoxville on May 9, 2005, and finally in Memphis on November 13, 2008. Future statewide plans include expanding the SmartWay system by extending traffic cameras into more rural areas. In addition, the 21 cameras in the fog zone in Bradley/McMinn Counties will eventually be tied into the Chattanooga TMC.