Talking in Texas With TIP

• NCJ Number: 224529
• Date Published: October 2008
• Length: 3 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-MU-CX-K077
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Award: Operation of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)

Annotation

This paper describes the development and implementation of the Technology Improvement Project (TIP) offering Texas improved regional communication between emergency responders.

Abstract

TIP, the Technology Improvement Project for the Middle Rio Grande Region of Texas, is a Project 25 (P25)-compliant, spectrum-efficient, VHF-trunked infrastructure system that is shared with local, State, Federal, and tribal users. The area served by the system covers roughly 15,000 square miles in nine counties. P25 is suite of standards intended to help produce equipment that is interoperable and compatible regardless of manufacturer. TIP replaces communications systems purchased with law enforcement assistance grant funds 30 years ago. A number of the agencies served by the system are small and rural. Using the VHF band allows more radio coverage in a rural area. Estimated cost for the project upon completion is about $8 million. TIP moves from a wideband to narrowband radio channels. The fact that it is trunked together compounds the efficiency of the system. Another component of the project is development of a region wide records management system (RMS) for sharing data, and providing wireless data access. The RMS will allow users across the region to easily share information. The goal of TIP is to get everybody on the same page.