Innovation

With the Houston region's population expected to surpass 10 million by 2040, efficient transit options are essential to our success.

The Office of Innovation is guiding METRO into the future through the adoption of emerging technology and mobility services, from Wi-Fi connectivity on public transit to autonomous shuttles serving busy areas and more.

METRO autonomous vehicle driving along the Tiger Walk on the campus of Texas Southern University in Houston.

Current Projects

Learn more about the ongoing innovation projects below.

METRO autonomous shuttle on campus of Texas Southern University.

Autonomous Technology

We are piloting autonomous vehicle technology to meet first- and last-mile connections.

Climate Action Plan

We are building a more sustainable and resilient transit system by creating a path forward.

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Successful Projects

The Office of Innovation is proud to have worked collaboratively with various METRO departments and community partners on a number of successful technology initiatives that have enhanced customer experience.

Graphic design of a smartphone with METRO TRIP app icon on screen.

Personal Trip Guide

The METRO TRIP app uses pulse vibrations that assist visually impaired customers during their trip.

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METRO curb2curb

This on-demand service has expanded transit options for various Houston-area communities.

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METRORapid

We helped develop key elements of this unique service that looks like a bus but runs like rail.

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Red Lane pavement markings indicating bus-only lanes.

Red Lanes

METRO updated its downtown diamond lanes to reduce congestion and increase safety.

METRO employee cleans inside of a METRORail train during COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Response

An innovation roadmap helped guide METRO's response to COVID-19.

Wi-Fi

METRO customers can drive less and do more by making use of free Wi-Fi onboard.

Innovations in Transit Efficiency

The purpose of the pilot is to study autonomous vehicle technology and its potential to help transit agencies better serve smaller neighborhoods and hard-to-reach areas by connecting them to public transportation.

Goals:

Understand how riders, pedestrians, and other vehicles safely interact with autonomous shuttles.
Demonstrate how the new autonomous technology could integrate with existing Houston METRO services.
Provide a greater understanding of the public response to autonomous technology.

Benefits:

Reduces traffic congestion
Decreases road fatalities resulting from driver error
Improves environmental impact due to 100% electric vehicles
Frees drivers to conduct other activities while in transit.
Enables elderly and disabled populations to realize expanded mobility options

In June 2019, METRO launched phase one of the autonomous vehicle pilot program. Facts about the autonomous vehicle include:

The EasyMile Automated Vehicle operates along Texas Southern University's one-mile Tiger Walk, providing nearly 7,500 trips.
While the vehicle is able to travel up to 12 miles per hour, it is programmed to reach 8 miles per hour due to heavy foot traffic.
The Easy Mile EZ 10 Gen-1 vehicle can hold up to 12 passengers, six seated and six standing.
While the vehicle is able to drive itself, a trained operator is on board at all times to monitor the vehicle's performance.

Red Lanes

Phase 1:
Travis Street, from Gray to Leeland

Phase 2:
Travis Street, from Leeland to Commerce

Phase 3:
Milam Street, from Commerce to Pierce

The benefits are safer and smoother traffic flow, and faster and more reliable transit trips.

At METRO, safety is our No. 1 priority.

The red pavement markings, improved striping and better signage promote safety. These enhancements create greater visibility and awareness for all road users.

Based on nationwide research, the Federal Highway Administration has concluded that red pavement markings promote compliance with transit priority lanes.

In 2005, METRO completed construction on transit street improvements throughout downtown. The right-most or “curb” lane is for buses and vehicles turning right. The second-to-right lane is for buses, vanpools and other High Occupancy Vehicles (HOVs). METRO is updating these lanes on Travis and Milam with new red paint, striping and signage that clearly designate these as bus-only or carpool-only lanes.

METRO Police Department (MPD) is responsible for enforcing compliance.

METRO will continue maintaining the lanes.

Lanes are in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No. Garage entrances and exits will not be blocked. You’ll be able to enter as you normally do.

Based on the traffic models developed during design, we expect a reduction in bus travel times, more efficient public transit service and minimal impacts to single occupancy drivers.

No. The bus and HOV lanes have been in operation since 2005.

There’s no idling allowed in the lanes – so pickups and dropoffs aren’t permitted.

There’s no parking allowed in the transit lanes. Off-peak parking will continue to be allowed on the left side of both streets, with minor changes.

You can use the lanes when making a right-hand turn or accessing parking.

Bus stops in the affected area along Milam and Travis Streets that were in right-turn lanes have been removed. This will help reduce congestion and increase pedestrian / vehicular safety.

Active bus stops are listed by cross street in the tables below.

Travis Street (Northbound)

Active Stop (Cross Street)	Bus Routes Served
St. Joseph	11, 82, 222, 236
Pease	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Bell	102, 108, 202, 204, 291
Polk	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Lamar	82, 102, 108, 202, 204, 291
Walker	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Capitol	102, 108, 202, 204, 291
Prairie	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Congress	102, 108, 202, 204, 291

Milam Street (Southbound)

Active Stop (Cross Street)	Bus Routes Served
Congress	102, 108, 202, 204, 291, 299
Preston	236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Texas	102, 108, 202, 204, 291, 299
Rusk	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
McKinney	102, 108, 202, 204, 291, 299
Dallas	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Clay	102, 108, 202, 204, 291, 299
Leeland	82, 236, 244 / 248, 247 / 246, 256 / 255, 257
Jefferson	32, 102, 108, 202, 204, 291, 299
Pierce	32, 82

Questions or Comments?

Customer Service:

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Customer Service:

Questions or Comments?

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Innovation

Current Projects

Autonomous Technology

Climate Action Plan

Successful Projects

Personal Trip Guide

METRO curb2curb

METRORapid

Red Lanes

COVID-19 Response

Wi-Fi

Travis Street (Northbound)

Milam Street (Southbound)

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