on the road again

Houston university partners with local traffic app to promote eco-friendly rides

ConnectSmart, which launched in Houston in 2022, is a Houston-based app that uses live data from local transportation authorities to suggest better travel times, routes and transportation methods to users. Image via houstonconnectsmart.com

Rice University has partnered up with the Texas Department of Transportation's ConnectSmart program to help students find eco-friendly travel options in the Houston area.

ConnectSmart, which launched in Houston in 2022, is a Houston-based app that uses live data from local transportation authorities to suggest better travel times, routes and transportation methods to users. It also allows users to purchase bus and METRO tickets, and find BCycle e-bikes, directly in the app.

As of April 1, Rice students and those with a Rice email address can now sign up for ConnectSmart and will receive free or subsidized Metro QCards, according to an announcement from the university.

"ConnectSmart is an app that allows Rice users and people who sign up with their Rice email address to set up carpooling groups as well as figure out alternative means of transportation to and from wherever they’re going,” Kristianna Bowles, sustainability program coordinator in the Office of Sustainability, said in the statement. “That includes access to the METRORail, bus stops and cycling routes. It’s going to be a good tool for us to promote alternative and sustainable transportation features as well as increase equity, especially around our hourly employees who come in earlier in the morning or who may not have access to a vehicle.”

Bowles adds that the university also hopes ConnectSmart will help the Rice community explore the Greater Houston Area.

“Rice’s students are located in the heart of one of the largest cities in the country, so this helps foster students’ ability to explore Houston’s culture through foods, the arts and public events,” she added.

ConnectSmart also provides users with access to Tow and Go’s no-cost emergency roadside services, helps them connect with Houston's miles of bike lanes and connect multiple modes of transportation to beat Houston traffic. The new ConnectSmart Employer Commute Suite also aims to help workplaces increase their staff’s access to affordable and sustainable transportation, while also collecting data on commuting and decarbonization initiatives to incorporate into ESG reporting.

The app is the result of a partnership between TxDOT, the Federal Highway Administration , the Houston-Galveston Area Council, City of Houston, Houston METRO, Houston TranStar, Tow and Go, BCycle, Conroe Connection, Fort Bend Transit and Harris County Transit. ConnectSmart's partnership with Rice was part of the university's Earth Month.

Last year, Houston got a break on a list of U.S. cities with the worst commutes, ranking only at No. 23.

Trending News

A View From HETI

Four energy companies are putting their money where their mouths are following Hurricane Beryl. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Four major energy companies in the Houston area have chipped in more than $400,000 to support relief efforts for Hurricane Beryl in Southeast Texas. Nationwide, it’s estimated that the storm caused at least $28 billion in damage and economic losses.

Here’s a breakdown of contributions announced by the four energy companies.

Baker Hughes Foundation

The Baker Hughes Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Houston-based energy technology company Baker Hughes, gave a $75,000 grant to the Houston chapter of the American Red Cross for Hurricane Beryl relief efforts.

“We understand recovery and rebuilding can take weeks or months, and we support the American Red Cross’ mission of providing people with clean water, safe shelter, and food when they need them most,” says Lorenzo Simonelli, chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes.

CenterPoint Energy

Houston-based CenterPoint Energy, which at one point had more than 2 million customers without power due to Hurricane Beryl, says its foundation has donated to several disaster relief organizations in the region. These include the American Red Cross of Coastal Bend, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Combined Arms, and the 4B Disaster Response Network in Brazoria and Galveston counties.

As of July 11, the company had also provided:

  • More than 30,000 bottles of water to cooling centers and distribution centers in the Houston area.
  • Meals to local first responders.
  • Mobile power generation at cooling centers, hospitals, senior living centers, and water treatment plants.

CenterPoint didn’t assign a dollar value to its contributions.

“Our first priority is getting the lights back on. At the same time, we have seen firsthand the devastation our neighbors are facing, and our commitment to the community goes beyond restoration efforts,” says Lynnae Wilson, senior vice president of CenterPoint’s electric business.

ConocoPhillips

Houston-based ConocoPhillips contributed $200,000 to relief efforts for Hurricane Beryl. The company also is matching donations from U.S. employees of ConocoPhillips.

The money is being split among the Houston Food Bank, Salvation Army and American Red Cross.

“Houston is our hometown, and many of our employees and neighbors have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” says Ryan Lance, chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillip.

Entergy Texas

Entergy Texas, based in The Woodlands, donated $125,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Beryl relief efforts. The money will go toward emergency needs such as food, shelter, and medical care.

“Our commitment to helping communities in distress remains unwavering, and we are hopeful that our contribution will offer relief and comfort to those facing hardships in the storm’s aftermath,” says Eliecer Viamontes, president and CEO of Entergy Texas.

Entergy Texas supplies electricity to about 512,000 customers in 27 counties. It’s a subsidiary of New Orleans-based Entergy Corp.

Trending News