From Congestion to Coordination: Kyle Field Transportation Plan

When Texas A&M University joined the Southeastern Conference in 2012, it ushered in a new era of growth, visibility and attendance. With bigger games came bigger transportation challenges.

The need for a new approach became clear in 2013 when Texas A&M hosted The University of Alabama at Kyle Field. Approximately 88,000 fans packed the stadium, while another 35,000 gathered outside, creating crowds unlike anything the university and surrounding community had previously experienced. Traffic congestion persisted for hours after the game, and among those caught in the gridlock was then-Chancellor John Sharp. Recognizing the need for a better solution, Sharp contacted the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to help improve game-day mobility and traffic operations.

That conversation launched a collaborative effort involving TTI, Texas A&M Transportation Services, the City of College Station, the City of Bryan, athletics, law enforcement, public safety agencies and other university partners. Together, they developed what would become the Kyle Field Gameday Transportation Plan. First implemented in 2014, the plan established a new framework for managing mobility before, during and after large events at Kyle Field.

The Kyle Field Gameday Transportation Plan centered on separating travel modes. Dedicated transit routes, designated pedestrian corridors and carefully managed vehicle pathways created a safer, more efficient environment for visitors while improving traffic flow around campus. Just as importantly, the planning process established relationships and communication channels that continue to guide the program more than a decade later.

Today, TTI remains actively involved in the partnership, helping Transportation Services refine traffic control plans, analyze performance data and prepare for major events. While the core principles established in 2014 remain intact, the system has continued to evolve as new technologies and operational needs emerge.

One of the key components of the Kyle Field Transportation plan is providing visitors with information before they arrive on campus. TTI and Transportation Services launched the Destination Aggieland mobile application, giving travelers access to maps, parking information and travel guidance. Because cellular connectivity was a concern during large events, maps could be downloaded in advance, allowing visitors to access important information even when networks became congested. Although the app’s functionality has since been incorporated into Texas A&M’s broader mobile platforms, the objective remains the same: helping visitors make informed travel decisions before they begin their trip.

As communication tools evolved, so did the program’s approach to reaching visitors. In addition to mobile applications, Transportation Services uses social media and digital communication platforms to provide real-time updates on parking availability, traffic conditions and route information.

In recent years, Transportation Services transitioned to digital parking permits, creating new opportunities to monitor parking activity and better understand arrival patterns. The data help stakeholders identify trends, improve staffing decisions and develop more targeted messaging for visitors.

Continuous evaluation has become another key component of the program. Following every home football game, representatives from the university, local governments and public safety agencies participate in after-action reviews. TTI presents congestion analyses that evaluate traffic conditions across approximately 80 miles of roadways surrounding campus. The analyses measure not only how much congestion occurred, but how long it lasted and where it was concentrated throughout the network. These reviews help partners understand what worked, identify opportunities for improvement and refine operations for future events. Historical evaluations dating back to the launch of the transportation plan remain publicly available at www.tti.tamu.edu/kyle.

The success of the Kyle Field Gameday Transportation Plan has also provided opportunities to share lessons learned with transportation professionals from across Texas and beyond. In September 2025, TTI’s 21st Century Mobility Test Bed hosted Making Special Event Traffic Better for Everyone: A Workshop on Engagement, Communication, and Operations at the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M University campus. The workshop attracted 68 participants representing communities, public agencies, universities, consulting firms, businesses and other organizations. Presentations highlighted the Kyle Field Gameday Transportation Plan, key elements of successful special event planning and operations, and the importance of strong partnerships. A panel of local gameday partners discussed their roles and responsibilities, tips for others planning for special events and the benefits to visitors, residents and businesses. Participants also toured the area surrounding the Memorial Student Center and Kyle Field, observing firsthand the strategies used to manage vehicle, transit and pedestrian traffic during major events.

More than a decade after the Alabama game exposed the region’s transportation challenges, the plan’s most enduring achievement may not be a specific traffic operation or technology deployment. Instead, it is the partnership that emerged from that experience.

By bringing researchers, government agencies and university partners together around a common goal, TTI helped create a framework that continues to support safe, efficient mobility for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

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