Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials announced how they are celebrating one year of the Houston ConnectSmart app.

Through the Houston ConnectSmart app, commuters receive tailored suggestions to improve their daily travel and have access to transportation tools and services.

Since the Houston ConnectSmart launch last fall, nearly 20,000 Houstonians have used the ConnectSmart app to drive, carpool, take transit, bike, and walk.

By adopting the app’s personalized travel suggestions and embracing alternatives to driving alone in rush hour traffic, ConnectSmart users have reduced their miles driven by over 55,000 miles.

Houston ConnectSmart

ConnectSmart users have reduced their CO2 emissions by nearly 24,000 pounds by making more sustainable travel decisions, including riding more than 23,000 miles on public transit, sharing a ride for more than 16,500 miles via carpooling, and pedaling over 1,300 miles on bicycles.

Within that time, more than 30,000 transit tickets have also been purchased using ConnectSmart.

Additionally, more than 125,000 personalized travel, construction, and safety alerts were shared with users of this regional mobility app before they hit the road, enabling them to stay on schedule and avoid potential roadway dangers.

Additional features like the app’s School Zone alerts help keep children safe throughout the program’s 13-county region.

“As more Houston area commuters expand their travel options through this important technology, we can have an even greater positive impact on reducing congestion and maximizing our investment in transportation infrastructure,” said Brenda Bustillos, TxDOT Houston assistant district engineer. “TxDOT is building roadways to support the future of transportation in our region, including the presence of autonomous vehicles for commuting and logistical transportation. ConnectSmart provides an important service to all commuters to help reduce congestion and the impacts of future construction.”

New Program

Houston ConnectSmart announced the launch of their Employer CommuteSuite.

The CommuteSuite of programs allows a business to customize commuting programs for their corporate culture and structure including carpools, public transit, and work-from-home options.

CommuteSuite supports a business’s ability to manage, measure, and report on the environmental, sustainability, and governance goals of a business as required by federal and state governments.

New Partnerships

Houston ConnectSmart serves as an Advocacy Partner for TAG’s State of TxDOT Presentation

Houston ConnectSmart will serve as an Advocacy Partner for the Transportation Advocacy Group’s (TAG) Houston Region’s State of TxDOT event taking place on Oct. 24 at the JW Marriott Galleria.

Participants of that event are encouraged to use the carpooling function of the app to travel to the event with a friend or co-worker.

By utilizing the carpool function or taking alternative transportation to the event, participants are eligible to receive valuable incentives to explore the app.