Texas Doubles Down on Traffic Intelligence With Expanded INRIX Partnership
The Texas Department of Transportation has spent years building a reputation as one of the most data-driven transport agencies in North America. Now, its expanded partnership with INRIX signals a deeper commitment to analytics-led infrastructure planning and road safety. At a time when US states face growing congestion, rising freight demand and mounting safety challenges, Texas is scaling its use of real-time and historical mobility data to inform decisions across one of the largest road networks in the world.
The new agreement builds on a 15-year collaboration between INRIX and TxDOT. While the relationship already delivered travel speed and congestion insights, the updated contract expands the scope significantly, adding advanced analytics, connected vehicle data and enhanced performance monitoring tools. In practice, this signals a shift from reactive traffic management to proactive network optimisation, with implications that stretch well beyond Texas.
Across the global infrastructure sector, transport authorities are increasingly turning to data platforms to guide policy, investment and operations. The Texas move reinforces a growing consensus that mobility data is becoming a core infrastructure asset in its own right. As governments grapple with population growth, climate targets and safety mandates, the ability to measure network performance continuously is quickly becoming essential rather than optional.
From Speed Data to Full Network Intelligence
INRIX has provided TxDOT with real-time and historical speed and travel data since 2020, allowing planners and engineers to analyse traffic performance across the state. This data has already supported safety improvements, congestion management and long-term planning. However, the new agreement goes further, transforming a traffic data service into a broader intelligence platform.
Under the expanded contract, INRIX will deliver aggregated digital roadway, traffic and connected vehicle datasets powered by the University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Transportation Technology Laboratory. Monthly passenger and truck trip path data will also be supplied, giving planners deeper insight into how people and goods move across the state.
This shift is significant. Speed data alone can highlight congestion, but trip path data reveals behaviour. Understanding how journeys unfold from origin to destination helps agencies identify bottlenecks, freight corridors and network vulnerabilities more accurately. It also enables more precise modelling of infrastructure investments, allowing agencies to predict the impacts of new roads, lane changes or policy interventions.
The inclusion of connected vehicle data marks another major step forward. With modern vehicles increasingly equipped with sensors and telematics systems, transport agencies now have access to near real-time insights on road conditions, traffic flow and safety risks. As connected vehicle penetration grows, this data is expected to play a central role in future traffic management strategies.
The Growing Importance of Real Time Situational Awareness
Transport networks are becoming more complex, and managing them in real time is increasingly critical. Weather events, incidents and sudden demand spikes can quickly disrupt mobility across entire regions. The expanded INRIX partnership aims to improve situational awareness across Texas by providing tools that enable faster responses and better performance measurement.
Real-time situational awareness is no longer a luxury. In the United States, traffic congestion costs drivers hundreds of hours each year and billions of dollars in lost productivity and fuel consumption. Meanwhile, road safety remains a major challenge, with tens of thousands of fatalities recorded annually. These pressures are pushing transport agencies to adopt smarter, faster decision-making tools.
By combining real-time insights with historical analytics, transport authorities can identify patterns, predict disruptions and deploy resources more efficiently. For Texas, which operates more than 80,000 miles of highway, the ability to monitor network performance continuously represents a major operational advantage.
A Longstanding Collaboration Reaches a New Phase
The partnership between INRIX and TxDOT dates back more than a decade, beginning with the introduction of the state’s first Speed Profile in 2010. That initiative laid the groundwork for a data-driven approach to traffic management, turning millions of data points into actionable insights for planners and policymakers.
One of the most visible outcomes of this collaboration has been the Texas Top 100 report, developed alongside the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The report identifies the state’s most congested corridors and helps prioritise infrastructure investments. Over time, this approach has helped Texas target funding where it can deliver the greatest impact.
The expanded agreement signals a new phase in this collaboration. Instead of focusing primarily on congestion analysis, the partnership now encompasses broader performance measurement and network optimisation. This reflects a wider shift in transport planning, where agencies increasingly rely on data to support every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle.
Bryan Mistele, CEO of INRIX, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Our partnership with TxDOT demonstrates how data can drive safer and more efficient travel. By combining advanced analytics with real-time insights, we’re empowering the state to make infrastructure decisions that save lives and time.”
Data Driven Safety and the Vision Zero Context
Safety has become a defining priority for transport agencies worldwide. In the United States, the Vision Zero movement aims to eliminate traffic fatalities through safer road design, smarter policies and improved data analysis. Texas has adopted a similar strategy, making safety a central focus of its infrastructure planning.
Advanced analytics can play a crucial role in achieving these goals. By analysing speed patterns, travel behaviour and incident data, agencies can identify high-risk corridors and deploy targeted interventions. These might include redesigning intersections, adjusting speed limits or introducing traffic calming measures.
The integration of connected vehicle data adds another layer to this effort. Real-time information on braking events, sudden deceleration and near misses can provide early warnings of potential safety risks. Over time, this could help agencies move from reactive safety strategies to predictive prevention.
The Texas initiative reflects a broader global trend. Cities and regions across Europe, Asia and North America are investing heavily in mobility data platforms to improve safety outcomes. By scaling its partnership with INRIX, Texas is positioning itself at the forefront of this movement.
Freight, Logistics and Economic Growth
Texas is a major freight hub, with its highways supporting significant domestic and international trade. The inclusion of detailed truck trip path datasets in the new agreement highlights the growing importance of freight analytics in transport planning.
Freight traffic places unique demands on infrastructure. Heavy vehicles accelerate road wear, require specialised infrastructure and often operate on tight delivery schedules. Understanding freight movement patterns can help agencies prioritise maintenance, plan capacity upgrades and reduce bottlenecks that disrupt supply chains.
Globally, freight demand is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. As e-commerce continues to expand and supply chains evolve, efficient road networks will play a vital role in economic competitiveness. Data-driven freight planning can help ensure infrastructure keeps pace with demand while minimising environmental impacts.
By incorporating freight analytics into its data platform, Texas is taking a more holistic approach to mobility. This reflects a growing recognition that passenger travel and freight movement are deeply interconnected within modern transport systems.
Infrastructure Planning in the Age of Big Data
Infrastructure projects require long planning horizons and substantial investment. Traditionally, decisions were based on periodic traffic surveys and limited datasets. Today, continuous data streams offer a far more detailed picture of how networks operate.
This shift is transforming infrastructure planning. Instead of relying on static models, agencies can now analyse real-world behaviour and adapt strategies in response to changing conditions. Over time, this approach can lead to more efficient spending and better outcomes for road users.
The expanded INRIX partnership reflects this broader transformation. By providing monthly trip path data and enhanced performance tools, the agreement supports more agile and informed decision making. For policymakers and investors, this represents a move towards evidence-based infrastructure planning.
Across the global construction and infrastructure sector, this trend is reshaping how projects are prioritised and delivered. Data platforms are becoming central to transport strategy, helping governments justify investments and measure their impact.
A Model for Data Led Transport Governance
The Texas initiative highlights how long-term partnerships between public agencies and data providers can evolve over time. Starting with basic speed data, the collaboration has grown into a comprehensive intelligence platform supporting safety, efficiency and economic growth.
For other regions, the message is clear. Mobility data is no longer a niche tool. It is becoming a core component of modern transport governance. Agencies that embrace this shift are likely to gain a significant advantage in managing complex networks and meeting future mobility demands.
As the partnership enters its next phase, the focus will remain on reducing congestion, improving safety and building a more connected transport system. The scale of the Texas network means the lessons learned here could influence transport strategies far beyond state borders.
