TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL OPEN CO-LOCATION CENTER IN CHATTANOOGA

New THP Facility Located in TDOT’s Traffic Management Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – TDOT Commissioner John Schroer joined Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and THP Colonel Tracy Trott to cut the ribbon on THP’s new co-location center now open in TDOT’s Traffic Management Center in Chattanooga.  The co-location center integrates the THP dispatch facility previously located in Tiftonia into the building that houses TDOT’s incident management dispatch center. 

From this facility, THP dispatchers will have access to TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, including those located on I-75 in the fog zone in Bradley and McMinn counties.  The I-75 Fog Zone Warning and Detection System is operated currently by both agencies.  Prior to 2014, the system was under the operation of the THP through their Tiftonia dispatch center.  When TDOT’s Region 2 TMC was built, the fog zone system was incorporated into the center for control by TDOT, which necessitated meetings between the two agencies to develop new operations guidelines and system responsibilities relating to the fog zone system. 

At these meetings, the topic of co-location of the THP Dispatch Center to TDOT’s Region 2 TMC came up.  The THP is currently consolidating dispatch offices across the state, and they were looking for a location for their Tiftonia and Cookeville dispatch centers.  TDOT regional personnel saw the opportunity and understood how this could provide a big benefit for operations.  Some of the possible advantages include improved incident detection, response, and clearance times, and better communication and understanding between both agencies. 

“TDOT and THP are great partners and share the common goal of public safety,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer, who also supported the move.  “Opening this combined facility will both strengthen our relationship and improve our efficiency.”

“We are always appreciative of the support from TDOT,” said Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.  “We continue to make great strides in the advancement of technology providing the most enhanced way to communicate.  This will ensure better means of state-wide communication that will keep our Tennesseans safe.”

“THP and TDOT are working together to better equip our state in providing the most advanced means to communicate when there is a state-wide emergency,” said THP Colonel Tracy Trott.  “Being able to connect with multiple safety partners in a matter of seconds allows our state to be ready and to activate the law enforcement and first responders necessary to protect this great state.”

In addition to other benefits, this move has already directly impacted the upgrade of TDOT’s wireless radio communication system by reducing the cost for statewide improvements.  TDOT’s HELP truck operators will be moving to the Tennessee Advanced Communication Network, which allows for expanded radio coverage and interoperability statewide, including communication between TDOT and THP directly over the radio. 

Although not presently in the TMC, eventually THP’s Cookeville dispatch center will also be brought into the Chattanooga TMC. 

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