Investing in Innovation: Upgrades to the THEA Traffic Management Center

Tampa is thriving. As our region grows, so does the demand on our infrastructure. If you’ve felt like there are more drivers on the road with you lately, you aren’t imagining it—the data proves it.

At the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and innovative mobility. To stay ahead of this historic growth, we have made significant upgrades to our Traffic Management Center. These enhancements reflect a necessary shift in how we monitor traffic, respond to emergencies, and prepare for the future of transportation in our region.

The Data Behind the Drive:

The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway is the backbone of our local commute, and the numbers show just how vital this system has become:

• Decade of Growth: Traffic on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway has surged by more than 80% over the last ten years.
• Daily Impact: As of August 2025, we estimate approximately 200,000 daily users rely on our system.

How the Upgrades Benefit You

To manage these record-breaking volumes, we’ve invested in a future-ready platform. This scalable design ensures long-term value for Tampa residents.

1. Enhanced Incident Response

With 200,000 daily users, every second counts when a vehicle stalls or an accident occurs.

• Faster Detection: Our new cameras that were recently installed have the analytic capabilities to identify traffic events instantly, allowing for quicker dispatch of safety patrols.
• Reduced Congestion: Faster resolution reduces the “bottleneck” effect, preventing secondary accidents and getting you to your destination safely and more efficiently.

2. Regional Collaboration

Traffic doesn’t stop at the expressway off-ramp. Our upgrades enable joint monitoring with the City of Tampa. By coordinating traffic management across both city streets and the expressway, we can better manage flow during major events like Lightning games or concerts at Benchmark International Arena.

3. Operational Efficiency

The new system allows our operators to manage multiple corridors simultaneously. This streamlined workflow means our team can monitor the entire Lee Roy Selmon Expressway system more effectively, ensuring that even as the population grows, our response times remain industry-leading.

Technology Upgrades That Make It Possible

Behind the scenes, these improvements required major investments in hardware and visualization tools:

• PC Upgrades: We replaced legacy operator workstations with high-performance PCs designed to handle advanced traffic management applications. These upgrades improve system speed, reliability, and security, ensuring operators can respond without delay.
• Video Wall Modernization: Our new state-of-the-art video wall provides a clearer, more dynamic view of real-time traffic conditions. This upgrade enhances situational awareness, allowing operators to make faster, more informed decisions during incidents and peak traffic periods.

Looking Ahead

These upgrades aren’t just about new technology; they are about maintaining the quality of life for the customers who choose the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway every day.

As Tampa continues to grow, THEA is committed to investing in the technology and transformative projects necessary to keep our city moving. These upgrades ensure that our infrastructure is as smart as it is strong.