Region View August 2022

H-GAC Transportation Newsletter: August 2022

Transportation Policy Council Meeting: July 29

At its meeting on July 29, the Transportation Policy Council approved the new goals for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises over the next three fiscal years.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (or DBEs) are for-profit small businesses at least 51% owned, managed, or controlled by minorities, women, or other historically disadvantaged groups. H-GAC has set a goal of 25% DBE participation in its transportation procurement and contract opportunities from fiscal year 2023 to 2025.

The policy council also approved new amendments to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program and the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan, comments to the FY 2023 Unified Transportation Program, and it added Ken Fickes, CCTM, director of the Office of Transit Services at Harris County Community Services, to the Transportation Advisory Committee as the new Transit alternate member.

Later, the policy council received an update on the recently completed Southeast Harris County Subregional Study. The 21-month study encompassed portions of five cities in the metropolitan planning area – Houston, South Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park, and La Porte, Texas. It recommends a variety of safety, accessibility, and mobility capital improvements for all transportation users and a subsequent transit feasibility study for some portions of the study area. The recommended improvements could result in significant benefits, including intersection safety improvements addressing 80% of commercial vehicle crashes, a potential $4 billion in emission reduction benefits, dramatic increases in sidewalks and bike paths, and reduced congestion. The policy council also received updates on the selection process for the next Call for Projects and the next iteration of the state's Critical Urban Freight Corridors, which includes those designated for the region.

Finally, the policy council unanimously approved resolutions commending the service of outgoing TPC members Adam Jack, P.E., Sugar Land Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer J. Lee, and Raymond McDonald. Jack joined the TPC as the alternate member representing the Texas Department of Transportation – Beaumont District in January 2015. He served on the policy council until May 2022. Lee served on the policy council from 2018 to June 2022. McDonald served as the primary member for the City of Conroe from January to May 2022. Originally appointed as mayor pro tem of Conroe, Texas, in 2018, McDonald now serves as the senior pastor for Vineyard Church.

The next TPC meeting is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Aug 26. The meeting agenda can be viewed online at www.h-gac.com/transportation-policy-council/meeting-agendas. To view or listen to the video recording of the latest TPC meeting, click here.

H-GAC Principal Planner Andrew DeCandis Participates in Equitable eMobility Panel Discussion at Evolve Houston Relaunch Event

H-GAC Principal Planner Andrew DeCandis joined experts representing the Houston Mayor’s Office, EV Noire, METRO, and BP in a panel discussion at the Evolve Houston Relaunch Event on Thursday, Aug. 18 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The panel, titled “Achieving Equitable eMobility,” discussed environmental justice and the roles public-private partnerships, community engagement, micro-mobility, and public transit play in making sure all communities reap the benefits of the transition to clean-energy/electric vehicles and that historically disadvantaged communities have a leading role in the transition.

H-GAC has a Clean Vehicles Program that provides grants to help local governments, schools, and businesses replace old, diesel-engine buses and heavy trucks with electric and other clean-energy vehicles. More information about the Clean Vehicles Program is available h-gac.com/clean-vehicles.

Evolve Houston is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Greater Houston. Originally commissioned by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the organization’s founding members include the City of Houston, the University of Houston, CenterPoint Energy, NRG, and Shell. Recently, Evolve Houston launched an emobility microgrant program to help fund projects that address community mobility needs in Houston’s historically underserved neighborhoods. More information about the program and about Evolve Houston are available at evolvehouston.org.

Livable Centers Hybrid Workshop Will Discuss Innovative Strategies to Expand Project Funding Potential

Make plans to attend Finding the Money: Get Projects Prepped for Funding from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16.

The event will be in the H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. Registration is required to attend online and requested to attend in person.

At H-GAC's Annual Livable Centers Land-Use / Transportation workshop you will:

Learn innovative strategies that leverage existing resources and expand your project's funding potential.
Hear from local area experts on how to evaluate your project using performance-based criteria for project planning, as well as real-life pilot projects and programs being implemented in the Houston-Galveston region today.
Expand your understanding of H-GAC resources including future grant opportunities the agency is actively tracking.

For more information, contact Anita Hollmann Matijcio.

Get Ready for Commute Solutions Month in September

Mark your calendars for Commute Solutions Month in September! This year’s region-wide celebration will highlight companies, agencies, universities, and others in the eight-county transportation management area who are doing great work to improve travel for their commuters as well as decrease congestion and improve air quality in the region. Stay tuned for details about how you can participate.

We will also celebrate the launch of ConnectSmart, a partnership project of the Texas Department of Transportation, H-GAC's Commute Solutions program, Tow and Go, TranStar, and many others. ConnectSmart is the region’s first mobility tool that integrates trip planning and navigation amongst a variety of commuting options. Even though the app officially launches in September, we invite you to download it now in the Apple and Google Play stores.

Save the Date for Houston Area GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16

Take your professional and academic growth in GIS to the next level. Hear from and connect with GeoSpatial Pros who are ready to share their projects, technologies, and experience.

Save the date for the 2022 Houston Area GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the University of Houston – Clear Lake campus. This year’s activities include:

Live educational presentations for students
Live geospatial presentations for professionals
College and university GIS program exhibitors
Geospatial exhibitors and vendors
Student GIS activities and games
Professional map contests

Registration and more event details are coming soon. If you have questions ahead of time, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or sign up to volunteer. We can’t wait to see you in person once again in November!

We're Approaching the Peak of Hurricane Season. Are You Prepared?

We are approaching the peak of hurricane season. Now is the time to prepare.

Residents who live in an evacuation zone are encouraged to visit our hurricane evacuation planning page for this year's zip zone maps and important tips to help develop their evacuation plan.

Visit TogetherAgainstTheWeather.com for tool kits and strategies on preparing your home and family for a hurricane or severe storm. The page also contains helpful materials for those caring for small children, individuals with disabilities or special needs, and those with health conditions.

Don't Pay the Price! Practice Safe Driving Habits while Traversing Our Region's Roads

Traffic fatalities in Texas are trending in the wrong direction. Last year alone, more than 3,500 people lost their lives on Texas roads. You can protect yourself from becoming another statistic by adopting safe driving habits. Always drive at safe speeds, avoid distractions, never drive angry or under the influence, and be mindful and courteous when sharing the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities, and transit riders. By practicing these responsible habits, you can avoid paying the price.

Visit h-gac.com/paytheprice for tips and resources on how you can help improve transportation safety in the region.