Octavia Johnson

Houston, United States

Commuting and Transportation Reporter at Houston Chronicle

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Articles

Houston ‘Road Trip’ Will Test Waymo Driverless Cars

1 week ago | govtech.com | Octavia Johnson

The road trip consists of about 10 vehicles driving around some Houston neighborhoods, including Midtown, Norhill and Greenway, and the Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and Interstate 69 highways. The vehicles will first be driven manually and then autonomously with a driver present behind the wheel, according to a Waymo representative. Waymo says its goal is to test its technology in new cities and understand how Houstonians travel on the city's roadways.
Waymo brings driverless car testing to Houston neighborhoods

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

Houstonians have the opportunity to see driverless vehicles in action. Google’s autonomous-driver sister company, Waymo, announced Tuesday that it’s initiating road trips this summer for testing and exploration in Houston, Orlando and San Antonio. The road trip consists of about 10 vehicles driving around some Houston neighborhoods, including Midtown, Norhill and Greenway, and the Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and Interstate 69 highways.
Polk Street exit in downtown Houston temporarily closes

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

A Houston highway’s exit to Polk Street will be temporarily closed until next month as the Texas Department of Transportation has initiated drainage work as part of the Interstate 45 construction project. The I-69 northbound exit ramp to Polk Street closed from Tuesday until June 30, according to Houston Transtar. TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez said the crews are digging trenches to install large culverts.
Southwest set to end a popular free perk. Here's what it will cost you.

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

Passengers planning to fly on Southwest Airlines will have to pay for checked bags after the company ended the free-bag options for those paying basic fares. The new policy is set to take effect on Wednesday, following the announcement by Southwest officials in March. For years, Southwest touted itself as the airline that allows two bags to be checked in for free. However, the final boarding call for free-checked bags is rapidly approaching for those who fly on the airline at Houston's William P.
How bad will Memorial Day traffic be this weekend? Here's what to know.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

Texas travelers preparing for Memorial Day weekend should anticipate heavy traffic on interstate corridors in the Houston area. The Texas Department of Transportation shared traffic forecasts for several major highways in Texas. The agency predicted that congestion and delays will peak on Friday, with Interstate 45 expecting heavy traffic through Saturday.
Will AV Air Taxis Soon Dominate the Sky Over Cities?

2 weeks ago | govtech.com | Octavia Johnson

"This is something that we all imagined as kids," Poelma said. The sleek, self-flying aircraft drew a crowd of curious onlookers at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Wisk Aero, a California-based air mobility company, showcased the air taxi at the 2025 Xponential Conference. The company plans to establish the transit in the greater Houston area by the end of the decade.
Houston gets a peek at Wisk Aero's model autonomous air taxi

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

Saemi Poelma eagerly posed for a photo Tuesday inside a model autonomous air taxi, impressed by the possibility of a new way of traveling without a human pilot. “This is something that we all imagined as kids,” Poelma said. The sleek, self-flying aircraft drew a crowd of curious onlookers at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Wisk Aero, a California-based air mobility company, showcased the air taxi at the 2025 Xponential Conference.
Houston airports anticipate 1.3M passengers traveling for Memorial Day

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

More than 1.3 million travelers are expected to travel through Houston airports for Memorial Day. Although the numbers are slightly lower than last year’s, airport officials are encouraging travelers to plan ahead and arrive early. This year's Memorial Day travel season runs from May 22 to 28. For anyone making plans for flight travel, the busiest days are May 22, 23 and 26 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, according to a news release.
Do you think you're a good driver? See if you can pass our Texas driver's exam.

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

Navigating Houston’s endless traffic and construction delays can be frustrating, but you still have to understand the rules of the road. In Texas, first-time drivers will usually need to take a written test as part of the process to get their license. The exam quizzes applicants on myriad questions pertaining to traffic signs, parking and how to be a safe driver. Would you pass some of the sample questions for the exam published by the Texas Department of Public Safety? Try our quiz to find out.
A portion of Houston IAH's North Terminal Road closing for utility work

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Octavia Johnson

Part of North Terminal Road will close for scheduled utility work tied to George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal B redevelopment. Travelers heading to Terminal A can loop around the Marriott Hotel, travel down South Terminal Road and rejoin the open section of North Terminal Road. Construction will start on May 14 and continue through August 2025. The public can still use the parking garage for Terminals A and B.