H-GAC's regional incident management activities include the Gulf Coast Regional Tow and Go^TM Program, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s Motorist Assistance Program and Incident Management Unit.

These activities operate out of Houston TranStar, the Regional Transportation Management Center.  The Tow and Go program is a “No Cost” towing program within the city limits of Houston, to remove motorists who are stalled on the freeway to a safe location.  The Incident Management Unit authorizes the tows using the TxDOT Freeway CCTV cameras at Houston TranStar. 

H-GAC staff recommends entering into an Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT to continue the activities in the Gulf Coast Regional Tow and Go Program. Funds from this agreement may also be used in a future program expansion to other cities, and unincorporated areas of Harris County. 

Since the Tow and Go program began “No Cost” towing on May 1, 2018, there have been over 10,194 tows with an average incident clearance time of 14 minutes, down from 21 minutes.

TxDOT Federal: $8,000,000

Yes

Request authorization to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation in the amount of $8,000,000, to continue funding the Gulf Coast Regional Tow and Go Program. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)