Traffic Asset Management System in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County, FL
Hillsborough County, FL (County) is the 4th largest county in Florida. With the City of Tampa as the county seat, it is also a leader in applying a traffic asset management system to manage and improve infrastructure. The County is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area and continues to grow due to its strong economy and high quality of life.
Because of this growth, demand on the County’s transportation network has increased. Residents and visitors rely on vehicles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrian systems every day. Therefore, the County must maintain reliable and efficient mobility infrastructure across all modes.
Traffic Asset Management System and Planning
To address growing demand, the County implemented a comprehensive traffic asset management system for its roadway infrastructure. This system supports long-term planning and allows agencies to forecast maintenance, operations, and capital replacement needs.
The County manages more than 6,200 lane-miles, 14,000 intersections, and millions of roadway assets, including signals, signs, and lighting. Because of this scale, proactive planning is essential. As a result, the system supports multiyear budgeting and prioritization of critical infrastructure improvements.
These efforts align with other large-scale initiatives such as Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) deployments, which improve coordination and mobility across major transportation corridors.
Infrastructure Improvements and Maintenance
A key part of the program includes evaluating and improving roadway infrastructure. This includes traffic operations, intersection upgrades, and sidewalk improvements. Because regular maintenance reduces system failures, the County continues to invest in proactive programs similar to other traffic signal maintenance initiatives across large metropolitan areas.
Implementation and Technology Deployment
To support these initiatives, the County’s Engineering and Operations Department awarded Econolite a $7.5 million multi-year contract. The contract covers installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance of traffic Information Technology (IT) systems throughout the County.
These services are delivered on an as-needed basis and help ensure that critical infrastructure remains operational. In addition, the County uses advanced detection technologies, including Autoscope® Vision HD video sensors, as part of its signal and detection improvement program.
Similar deployments, such as video detection and citywide Opticom installations, demonstrate how modern detection systems improve safety and traffic efficiency.
Advanced Data and System Integration
Modern transportation systems rely on data to drive better decisions. Therefore, the County’s program supports integration with advanced traffic management software to monitor and optimize operations.
In addition, tools such as crowdsourced traffic data analytics provide deeper insight into real-time conditions. As a result, agencies can make more informed decisions and improve system performance.
Communications Network Upgrades
In addition to infrastructure improvements, Econolite will upgrade the County’s communications network using fiber optic technology. Because reliable communications are critical, these upgrades improve connectivity between field devices and central systems.
These enhancements support future-ready transportation systems and enable better monitoring, control, and coordination across the network. Agencies can also stay informed on evolving mobility solutions through industry updates such as the PTV Mobility report.
Key Features and Benefits
- Comprehensive traffic asset management system for long-term planning
- Multiyear budgeting and infrastructure forecasting
- Advanced detection and signal system upgrades
- Integration with modern traffic management platforms
- Fiber optic communications network improvements
Operational Improvements
- Improved infrastructure reliability and performance
- Better visibility into system conditions
- Reduced downtime through proactive maintenance
- Enhanced safety for all road users
- Stronger foundation for future mobility technologies
This traffic asset management system supports Hillsborough County’s long-term transportation goals. It improves system performance, strengthens infrastructure planning, and prepares the region for future mobility needs.