Massachusetts Turnpike Authority

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The Operations Control Center

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority maintains a proactive Operations Control Center (OCC) that is staffed 24 hours a day to monitor traffic and provide quick incident response.  The OCC monitors the I-90/I-93 system of tunnels, ramps, bridge, and surface roadways in the Metropolitan Boston area, including the Sumner, Callahan, Prudential, and City Square tunnels, and I-90 West to the New York border.

The OCC utilizes sophisticated electronic systems to manage and respond to over 34,000 annual traffic and facility events.  This Integrated Project Control System (IPCS) allows the OCC to monitor and control various resources in support of ensuring safe environmental conditions. 



The OCC also works with the 511 service, Smart Routes, other transit and traffic agencies including the MBTA, Massport, MassHighway, and the City of Boston. The control center works very closely with other agencies and emergency services including the State Police, local fire departments, emergency medical services, towing services and roadway maintenance to provide up-to-the-minute communication on travel conditions and incident response.

Key OCC equipment and facilities include:

·Closed circuit color pan-tilt-zoom video cameras with digital video recording capacities that assist in identifying the location and other information regarding an incident. 

·Electronic variable message signs to provide traffic advisories and other messages to motorists.

·Height detectors that signal when vehicles that exceed height limits enter restricted areas of the underground highway.

·A ventilation system to move airflow through the tunnels in a variety of conditions.

·Carbon monoxide detectors to assure proper air quality.

·An electrical distribution system.

·A strategically located facility and recovery plan in the event operators need to relocate and implement continuity of operations.



Visit our Traffic and Weather pages for traffic information, including live traffic cameras.