Transportation Policy Council Meeting: June 25 |
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At its June meeting, the Transportation Policy Council approved amendments requested by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) adding 19 regionally-significant projects to the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan.
H-GAC staff reviewed each requested amendment and the public comments to evaluate criteria such as urgency to approve the amendment, risk of impacts on the environment and environmental justice groups, local support, inclusion in a local, subregional, or regional plan or study, and consistency with the overall vision of the RTP. The amendments include projects along segments of SH 288, IH-10, SH 99, IH-610 E, IH-610 S, Beltway 8 North Loop West Hardy toll road to Aldine Westfield, SH 35 in Brazoria County, the IH-45/IH-10 interchange in inner Katy, and sections of Highway 36A.
In other business, the policy council approved the 2021 Public Transportation Agency Performance Measures and Targets. Last year, transit agencies in the region each submitted a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan to the Federal Transportation Administration. Each agency reported the previous year's performance measures in areas of safety - including the number and rate of fatalities, injuries, safety events, and the mean distance between mechanical failures. They also reported targets for future goals, which for this report, also include Vision Zero targets. A draft report of the performance measures and targets can be viewed here.
Informational items presented to the policy council included development of the 2022-23 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and an upcoming feasibility study with the City of Pearland to assess the growing area's needs regarding public transit. H-GAC will host two virtual public meetings on July 22 regarding the UPWP as well as the Title VI Environmental Justice Program. Residents will be able to review the draft 2022-23 UPWP and Title VI program updates as well as give their input on ways to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, make safer bike paths, boost public transportation, and create a more equitable, inclusive transportation system for all. For more information about the public meetings, visit h-gac.com/unified-planning-work-program.
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Help Improve Our Region's Transportation System at Virtual Public Meetings on July 22 |
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The H-GAC Unified Planning Work Program and Title VI Environmental Justice Program are hosting two virtual public meetings on July 22 to discuss proposed program updates. We need your feedback on what we can do to reduce congestion, improve air quality, create safer bike and pedestrian paths, increase access to public transportation, and create a more connected, inclusive transportation system for everyone who lives and works in the region.
There will be two public meetings on July 22 in the afternoon and in the evening. The afternoon meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m., and the evening meeting will take place at 6 p.m. To register for the public meetings and view the meeting documents, visit h-gac.com/unified-planning-work-program or h-gac.com/title-vi-program. Both meetings will have a Spanish language translator and an American Sign Language interpreter for the hearing impaired.
The public comment period is currently open and closes on Aug. 11, 2021. Comments may be submitted by email at [email protected], by phone at 1-855-363-2516, or by mail to "Attention: Unified Work Program and Title VI Environmental Justice Program", P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX, 77227-2777.
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H-GAC Recognizes Telework Week Champions |
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From June 21-25, the H-GAC Commute Solutions program recognized Telework Week. As part of the festivities, people across the Greater Houston area were encouraged to nominate friends, family members, coworkers, managers, and executive leaders for the 2021 Telework Champion Award.
This award spotlights area professionals who have demonstrated creative ways to engage their colleagues while working remotely. They have fostered collaboration, positivity, and productivity while adhering to the core principles of teleworking. Commute Solutions received several nominations both externally and internally. The 2021 Telework Champion Award recipients are:
- Cesar Caballero, Texas Virtual Schools
- Eunice Davidiuk, Texas A&M Health
- Charlene Hernandez, Empereon Marketing
- Shelley Medina, Logix Fiber Networks
- Scott Sheppard, Huntsville ISD
- Monica Singleton, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Terri Barber, Workforce Solutions
- Neely Kim, H-GAC Transportation
- Deborah Mayfield, H-GAC Commute Solutions
- Lourdes McIntyre, H-GAC Public Services
- Jamila Owens, H-GAC Transportation
- Greg Seal, H-GAC Transportation
- Andrea Tantillo, H-GAC Community & Environmental
- Chuck Wemple, H-GAC Executive Director
Congratulations to all the award recipients!
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Learn More about Teleworking Best Practices at Upcoming Webinar
The Commute Solutions team will host a free teleworking webinar in August.
Thursday, Aug. 12 | 11:30 a.m.
This webinar will provide an insight into the latest trends that impact the hybrid environment. It will also provide solutions to challenges experienced conducting telework during the pandemic and highlight best practices for workers and managers.
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Port Houston Shares Its 2040 Long-range Plan at Latest Transportation Brown Bag Webinar |
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At the latest transportation Brown Bag webinar, Rohit Saxena, director of facility planning at Port Houston, shared and answered audience questions about the organization's 2040 Plan. The 2040 Plan is a comprehensive, holistic framework defining priorities and identifying what developments, investments, and policies should be pursued to create a stronger, more resilient Port of Houston that will continue to drive regional prosperity.
The plan outlines strategic initiatives based on four core areas - known by Port Houston as "The Four Cs": 1) Channel, sponsoring the Houston Ship Channel's expansion to support continued regional growth; 2) Cargo, maximizing operating performance to support growth of cargo business operations and capacity; 3) Community, optimally partnering and stewarding resources to benefit community stakeholders; and 4) Change, adapting to new trends and technology to create value, sustainability, and resiliency. It is designed to be a living document that can evolve and respond to emerging challenges and opportunities over time. In the current plan, Port Houston plans to invest $1.4 billion in capital over the next five years and potentially more than $4 billion over 20 years.
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Hurricane Season is Here. Make Sure You're Prepared. |
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The 2021 hurricane season is under way. As of this month, there have been five named storms with one impacting the coastal United States. With forecasters predicting another active season, it is critical for residents to be prepared.
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, special need individuals, and those with health conditions.
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H-GAC Reminds Drivers Across the Region to Make Safety a Priority When on the Road |
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As travel picks up across the region, H-GAC would like to remind drivers to practice safe habits and use caution when traversing our roads. The region has experienced tremendous population growth and a corresponding increase in traffic-related injuries and deaths. In 2020 alone, traffic fatalities increased by 7% in Texas and by 11% in the eight-county metropolitan planning area. Improving traffic safety will take every one of us working together. Otherwise, we will continue to pay the price.
Visit h-gac.com/paytheprice for tips and resources on how we can improve transportation safety in the region.
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Harris County Transit Launches On-Demand Transportation Service for Generation Park-area Residents |
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This affordable service allows residents to schedule transportation from point A to point B, within two established zones, running along the northeast quadrant of Beltway 8. The service provides a faster trip and enhanced passenger experience through areas of the county that are less densely developed.
The fare to ride is $1 for adults and $0.50 for children, seniors, and those with disabilities. Cash, transfers from other buses, and the METRO Q® Fare Card are acceptable forms of payment.
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Livable Centers Study Sponsors Applications Due at the End of July |
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H-GAC seeks to identify and fund Full Livable Centers studies and, for the first time, Focused Livable Centers studies. Full Livable Centers studies will be scaled at a community level, and Focused Livable Centers studies will focus on a smaller geographic area and/or specific issue (e.g., transit-oriented development, first/last mile connections). The proposed study must be in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, or Waller counties. Sponsors are limited to local governments or other eligible entities.
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Friday, July 23, 2021
9:30-11 a.m.
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Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021
9:30-11 a.m.
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