Overview
The US-75 North Central Expressway HOV facility features two single concurrent-flow lanes, with one lane operating continuously in each direction. Each HOV lane aims to enhance travel efficiency by offering a congestion-free route for transit and other high-occupancy vehicles. By reducing traffic volume on the main lanes of US-75, the HOV lanes create additional capacity in the general-purpose lanes. Spanning across 14 miles, the facility runs from IH-635 (LBJ) northward to Bethany Road in Allen. Access to the HOV facility from LBJ west of US-75 is provided through two reversible slip ramps controlled by Versilis automated gates.
Project Scope
Versilis was selected to replace the existing railway-type gates on this road segment with an advanced automated gate system. The project scope also included the supply and integration of new lane control signs and SwiftSigns. The primary objective was to improve traffic flow while reducing maintenance requirements. The US-75 reversible HOV is now equipped with crash tested automated gates that effectively warn drivers against entering slip ramps when traffic flow is in the opposite direction.
The project required the installation of 13 SwiftGates for the US-75 (upper lanes) slip ramp and 18 SwiftGates for the IH-635 (lower lanes) slip ramp. Each reversible lane slip ramp is also equipped with SwiftSigns positioned strategically before the tapered gates to inform drivers that the HOV lane is closed. The signage system also includes four lane control signs for the upper lanes and one lane control sign for the lower lanes, all designed to enhance traffic management and driver awareness. A Versilis Commander installed in a local ITS cabinet at each slip ramp allows control and monitoring of the entire system, including the signage and warning gates. At each slip ramp, the system is controlled locally using push buttons. Operators also have the ability to control and monitor the system via the Versilis smart handheld controller. While possible, remote control and monitoring is not part of the scenario of operation for this project.
The Texas DOT and NTE Mobility Partners selected Versilis based on several critical features: MASH crash test compliance ensuring vehicle occupant safety, high-visibility design enhancing motorist compliance, reducing gate impacts and maintenance, and narrow footprint minimizing impact on existing infrastructure.
